In response to the recent reports of kidnappings and taxi rapes, Soul City Institute for Social Justice has launched the #SafeTaxisNow campaign to make South Africa’s public transport safe for women.
“I would like to go to a taxi rank without being sexually harassed by taxi drivers or a queue marshal,” says human rights TV producer, story-teller and social activist Simamkele Dlakavu. A vocal member of civic society and having represented young people at various youth summits around the world, Dlakavu is also Project Consultant for the #SafeTaxisNow campaign.
“The taxi ranks themselves are unsafe, we are mugged and sexually harassed. We need security and more effective systems to report such incidents in the immediate vicinity,” says Thuli Ngubane who hails from uMthatha.
These are just some frustrations, women have shared as part of the ongoing discussion around South Africa’s public transportation system – and specifically around taxis and taxi ranks.
As a result of the increasing reports of taxi rapes in Johannesburg, Soul City Institute for Social Justice together with other women’s organisations as well as Amandla.Mobi, The Daily Vox, Livity Africa among other partners, has embarked on a campaign aimed at coming up with ways of and amplifying the conversation around making public transport safe for women.
One of the #SafeTaxisNow campaign strategies is to develop a national charter to make taxis safer for women.
Ngubane suggested having security patrol the ranks or have taxi drivers display stickers with their details and a hotline to report any incidents.
“I want taxi drivers to stick to the route commuters are used to and not change them at their own will. I also want taxis not to swap passengers in the middle of their journeys,” says Soweto resident Zukiswa White.
What are some of your ideas and contributions? Share your ideas with us using the hashtag #SafeTaxisNow
CONTACTS:
- To give input on the charter, visit www.amandla.mobi/safe-taxis-charter
- To donate to the campaign visit www.amandla.mobi/safe-taxis-donate
- To contribute to the campaign, send a ‘Please Call Me’ to 074 357 6937
Issued on behalf of Soul City Institute for Social Justice
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