South African commuters know that a taxi ride is never just about getting from point A to point B. It’s a theatre of voices, a melting pot of stories and, sometimes, a comedy show on wheels.
Dr Jacob Cloete, a political scientist-turned-storyteller from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), has captured this vibrant slice of life in his latest book, Stories in a Bellville Taxi. Cloete, who hails from Namaqualand and lectures at UWC, has long been immersed in the serious world of governance and democracy.
Unfiltered stories
His earlier academic work dissected political systems with precision, offering insights into policy and power. But with Stories in a Bellville Taxi, he trades his scholarly analysis for the backseat of a minibus, giving voice to the raw, unfiltered stories of everyday South Africans. “This book was inspired by and written for my son. He started high school in 2025 and decided to take up drama, and for this, he needed stories — stories that he, his family, his community and I can relate to. It was for this reason that I began writing Stories in a Bellville Taxi,” says Cloete.
The book, published by Shofar Books in June 2026, is available in English and Afrikaans. It draws inspiration from Cloete’s daily commute between Tyger Falls and Bellville South, where the taxi becomes a microcosm of the nation. Conversations overheard on these rides touch on unemployment, xenophobia, gangsterism, and service delivery failures. Yet his narrative is anything but bleak. He infuses humour into the chaos, reminding readers that laughter often thrives even in the most challenging circumstances.
For this book, Cloete wanted to give readers something authentic: “The original Afrikaans manuscript was written in pen by hand. I wanted to bring back authenticity to storytelling — something I am missing in the age of AI. There is nothing more authentic than taking public transport to and from work every day. I wanted to share this experience with readers and fellow commuters.”
Gravity and levity
What makes the book particularly engaging is its balance of gravity and levity. One moment, passengers debate the failures of local government; the next, they joke about the quirks of taxi culture. Cloete’s skill lies in capturing these juxtapositions, showing how resilience and wit are woven into the everyday fabric of South African life.
The contrast with his earlier work is striking. Where his previous publications were steeped in academic rigour, Stories in a Bellville Taxi is accessible, conversational, and deeply human — portraying the lived realities, banter, and frustrations of ordinary people squeezed together in a taxi.
For those eager to experience Cloete’s storytelling first-hand, the official launch of Stories in a Bellville Taxi will take place at Exclusive Books at Tygervalley Shopping Centre on Thursday 16 July 2026 at 18:00.
ALSO READ: Exposure to smoke is taking a toll on Cape Town’s firefighters
