In a room that carried both weight and warmth, MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Mme Violet Mathye, together with HoD Stephen Matjena and officials from the Transport Operations Chief Directorate, sat down with taxi representatives from the Bakone and Tibane Taxi Associations and Sekgopo taxi operators. They came with concerns that weigh on daily operations — permits, routes, and the process of discerning merged associations. Around the table, voices were heard, notes were taken, and the Department committed to walking with the industry through each challenge toward resolution.
The heart of the meeting beat strongest when the newly elected SANTACO Limpopo leadership stepped forward to present themselves to MEC Mathye. It was more than a courtesy visit. It was a gesture of appreciation for the working relationship between DTCS and SANTACO, a relationship the Chairperson said had already helped resolve many matters that once hampered taxi operations. “Let’s follow the rules and procedures,” he told the gathering. “Even when the process is long, let’s be patient and resolve issues on the table rather than in violence. It has worked for us. Let’s keep the peace up.”
MEC Mathye welcomed the new leadership with open hands. “Welcome to our working space,” she said. “We are in this fight against violence together. Let’s build our transport sector together and continue to make Limpopo a safe province to travel in.” With dialogue replacing discord and partnership guiding the way, the Department and the taxi industry reaserted a shared vow: that every decision, every route, and every permit would ultimately serve one purpose — putting passenger safety first.