The National Taxi Alliance was launched on October 31, 2018 at the Thabo Moorosi multipurpose centre in Mothibistad.

The launch was characterised by glamour and joy as most local taxi associations, traditional and local authority leaders said that the advent of the alliance was a great relief in many ways to the broader community of John Taolo Gaetsewe.

The national president of the taxi alliance Mr Francis Masitsa, articulate and bold enough, said that the process started long ago with the North West that eventually culminated in the crowd pulling event.

Directly welcoming the taxi alliance, the Joe Morolong local municipality mayor councillor Dineo Leultlwetse said that the launch of the taxi alliance was a positive development in the region and province alike. She said that as local authorities in the region important is that there ought to be regular engagement by stakeholders to ensure stumbling blocks are ridden off on time. Mr Masitsa said that taxi alliance draws its strength from unity among members.

“All my life I have been using a taxi up until I went through the ranks to become the mayor.  I succinctly understand most of the challenges encountered in the business industry as a whole and the taxi industry in particular. She politely advised the taxi operators that they must try and improve their customer service and ensure that their fleet is roadworthy. Expressing his gratitude as local associations endorsed the alliance as their saviour Mr Masitsa said that with all its shortcomings taxi business still remains a business.

 “Taxi business is ridiculed in many ways by many including government. Over two million people use public transport and the role played by taxi owners in the economy is invaluable. However, we remain in the discriminated list among those that add value to the economy. This is because we are not being subsidised too like other entities entitled to such favours by government.

In that direction government has abdicated its binding responsibility. We are a business interest group that works like the ANC, EFF, DA where freedom of choice and association must be exercised liberally without intimidation. Nobody owns somebody in the name of associations but God. If the Biblical apostle Paul says where marriage is on the rocks, let there be a certificate of divorce and so are the taxi members who feel uncomfortable with other associations. The Taxi Alliance is becoming the flagship of the Northern Cape. Lastly and importantly, we are not a violent alliance and urge members not to align themselves with political parties, we shouldn’t ourselves that far”.

The alliance has won the hearts of numerous local associations that include Itekeng Transport Association, Bopanang Transport Association, Kgasatra association, Douglas long and short distance association etc…