Life on the Line: Randburg’s Taxi Drivers Navigate More Than Just Traffic

More than just Abo Mageza, these drivers keep Johannesburg moving, one trip at a time

When most people hop into a taxi at Randburg Rank, they’re thinking about getting to work on time or making it home before the rain starts. But behind the wheel, life is a little more complicated.

For many taxi drivers—known across South Africa as Abo Mageza driving isn’t just a job. It’s a lifeline. A way to support families, pay school fees, and put food on the table in a country where stable employment is far from guaranteed.

It’s easy to reduce these drivers to road rage memes or viral videos of taxis cutting across traffic, but the real story is more layered. We spent time at the Randburg taxi rank one of Gauteng’s busiest to find out what really drives the people behind the steering wheel.

A rank that never sleeps

The Randburg taxi rank isn’t just a transport hub. It’s a living, breathing ecosystem that connects more than ten taxi associations. It serves as a launchpad for routes reaching as far as Limpopo and Mpumalanga and as close as Cresta and Fourways.

And it’s here, among the hustle and fumes, that drivers like Stout Mthunzi start their day.

“I’ve been working in Randburg since 1998,” says Mthunzi, leaning against a Toyota Quantum that’s seen its fair share of early mornings. “You have to wake up knowing that you’re going to deal with people all day. You leave your problems at home and treat your passengers with respect, because without them, you don’t eat.”

It’s not just about getting from point A to B. For Mthunzi, who supports his family through his earnings, the job is about dignity, survival, and service.

Hard roads and hard rules

But the job isn’t as simple as picking up passengers and dropping them off.

Drivers say they often bear the brunt of traffic fines—even when the vehicles don’t belong to them. “We get ticketed for things like worn tyres or broken lights, even if the taxi belongs to someone else,” one driver shared. “Sometimes it’s not even our fault.”

And then there’s the morning hustle: packed vehicles, fussy commuters, and no change on hand for small fares. It’s no wonder some commuters, like Nipho Mkhize, have a love-hate relationship with taxis.

“I don’t really like them,” he says with a shrug. “Especially the Isiyaya one, it’s always cramped. But they’re fast and way cheaper than Bolt or Uber. You just have to know what to expect.”

Culture on wheels

In South Africa, minibus taxis are more than a transport mode—they’re a culture. They have their own etiquette, rhythms, and unspoken rules. You greet the driver. You don’t hog the front seat unless invited. And if you’re in the back row? Prepare to squeeze.

For all the complaints about reckless driving and overloading, there’s a reason why taxis remain the go-to for millions of South Africans: they’re consistent, direct, and affordable. In a city where formal public transport options remain limited or unreliable, Abo Mageza are often the only ones keeping the economy moving, literally.

Not just drivers, but people

What’s often missing from conversations about the taxi industry is humanity. These aren’t faceless rule-breakers behind tinted windows—they’re workers, parents, husbands, and sometimes, sole breadwinners.

Taxi associations like SANTACO have tried to formalize and support the industry, but challenges remain. Regulation, safety, and public perception all sit in a fragile balance. And as Joburg continues to grow, so does the pressure on this essential but often underappreciated sector.

Randburg’s taxi rank isn’t perfect, and neither are the drivers. But it’s a place full of stories, resilience, and untold acts of service. It’s where strangers become regulars, and where drivers like Stout Mthunzi show up day after day, not just to make money—but to make a difference.

So the next time you hop into a taxi at the rank, maybe offer a smile, not a sigh. The person behind the wheel might be driving more than just a minibus, they could be driving their entire family’s future.

{Source: Randburg Sun}

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