Antonio (Tony) de Kock, a 30-year-old from Portland, Mitchells Plain, recently recognised by the City of Cape Town for his services as a MyCiTi bus driver and is now preparing to take up a new position driving city buses in Dublin, Ireland.

For the past few years De Kock has been a driver on the MyCiTi D04 route, travelling between Mitchells Plain and the Cape Town Civic Centre daily.

Mayco member for Urban Mobility Rob Quintas recently met with him to thank him for his outstanding service and for going the extra mile for his passengers. He gave him what he called the Going the Extra Mile (GEM) Award, which he had just launched.

“Service excellence is at the heart of what MyCiTi strives for every day, but when passengers come to me to tell me about a MyCiTi driver who goes above and beyond, who greets them by name and goes out of their way to make them feel safe and looked after, then I have to meet them face-to-face to make sure their dedication doesn’t go unnoticed. One such driver, of course, is Antonio (Tony) de Kock, whom we thank Tony for every journey, every passenger he transported and for exemplifying MyCiTi service excellence every single day.”

“Cape Town’s loss is definitely Dublin’s gain and we now have to wish him well as he takes up a position driving city buses in Dublin, Ireland and starts this exciting new chapter abroad,” Quintas said.

Inspired by his father

De Kock’s father is his hero and still drives for Golden Arrow Bus Services. This inspired De Kock to want to become a bus driver from as early as five years old.

“Working along the MyCiTi D04 route gave me the privilege of transporting residents from my own community in Mitchells Plain to the Cape Town Civic Centre daily,” said De Kock. “I took joy in getting so many residents to work so they can earn an honest living and to get them back home safely each day.”

His first bus would leave Kapteinsklip at 04:40 each morning. Before departing, he would check all aspects of his bus inside and out to ensure it was in the best condition and safe for his passengers.

Pursuing an opportunity in Dublin

In November last year De Kock received news about a bus driver opportunity in Dublin and felt strongly that he should pursue it to broaden his horizons.

He applied for the job and was called for an in-person interview and assessment in Dublin. De Kock paid for his own air fare to Ireland, without any accommodation booked, to attend the interview.

As part of the assessment he had to drive around Dublin in one of its buses as if he knew the city and had driven their buses many times before. He slept at the airport before catching his return flight to Cape Town.

Shortly after arriving back home De Kock received the news that he was successful and would be required to start his new job and life in Ireland during 2027.

“When I received the news that I got the job I was overwhelmed with gratitude, not only for this new opportunity but the work experience the City of Cape Town had made possible for me to attain. The City made it possible for me to live out the dream I had as a 5-year-old, to be a bus driver that everyone travelling on Golden Arrow Buses comes to know and, as is still the case with my dad, to love.

“Of course, in my case this happened as a MyCiTi bus driver, and I believe it is this that led to my being selected for the job in Dublin, something I will always be grateful for. I look forward to making an impact on the lives of all the residents of Ireland I meet, by being that same Tony who deeply cares for his passengers, gives them that friendly face and conversation to start or end their day and, most importantly, to ensure they arrive at their destination safely.

“I see this new job as the perfect way to start my journey abroad, as it will allow me to do what I love, meet new people and explore my new city, Dublin.”

Setting an example

During his time as a MyCiTi driver, De Kock also tried to set an example for young people in his area by showing what one can achieve through daily commitment.

“I shared with them how much more there is out there for them. New places to see and experience, new people to meet and becoming a MyCiTi bus driver could expose them to many more opportunities.”