Emil is unhappy

Ask anyone anywhere in South Africa what the biggest scourge in this nation is and they will probably answer “crime” or “Jacob Zuma”. Ask them what is the biggest scourge on the roads and they will probably answer “crime”, “Jacob Zuma” or “taxis”.
Taxis are a law unto themselves in this country, breaking rules, endangering lives and making the ride to the amusement park a lot more of an adrenaline rush that the roller coaster once you actually get there.

So reviled is the minibus taxi – and so happy to disregard any rule of law – that Helen “Twee Hoede” Zille, mayor of Cape Town, has threatened to call in the Army to make them behave.
Meanwhile, civil rights group AfriForum have suggested that citizens take photos of “lawless taxis”:

AfriForum created an e-mail address, taxi@afriforum.co.za, to which the public may send the pictures, as well as details of the event, after which AfriForum’s legal team will formulate a complaint on behalf of the public for submission to the SA Police Service.

Alternatively, if you don’t want the bother of emailing a picture in, you could always just put it on your blog with a brief description of the driver.

emil
Don’t hold back: tell us what you really think, Emil!

For you non-Afrikaans speakers out there: “Easy stereotyping – The driver of this taxi is a [censored].”

Better out than in, Emil. Thanks for your honesty. Aaaaaaand relax!

28 thoughts on “Emil is unhappy

  1. What is the official translation for a doos anyways?
    When I was younger, it could be used by us English speaking folk in almost polite conversation.

    Does it have a more vulgar meaning these days that it has to be censored (I’m thinking along the lines of the “c” word)?

  2. Seeing as I don’t have twitter, this is my tweet back to you (or whatever it’s called doing).

    I see you are a fan of Diemersfontein Pinotage.
    That’s quite a wine, very full on and the first taste left me wondering what the hell was going on.
    Very enjoyable though and now rather pleased to see that Waitrose stock it, albeit a 2007 and not quite the 2004 you talk about.

  3. Great idea and everything until you think about it a bit. This little civil rights group is telling people to take photos of lawless taxis…which is (normally) on the road…which means, you’ll most likely be taking photos while you’re driving which is, in itself, a bloody hazard when it comes to some people.

    It’s a bit mind boggling.

    Goblin´s last blog post was: Repost – 2009 South African Blogger Awards (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

  4. Reflex > Re “doos” – literal translation is “box”. But yes – it has some naughty connotations.
    Re: Diemersfontein – see here.
    You’re right – it’s heavy stuff, but very nice. I know that Beyerskloof pinotage is also very popular over there – not such a big fan of that, but their Pinotage Reserve has to be one of the best things I’ve ever drunk.

  5. Goblin > Actually, it’s often on the pavement, too.
    But yes – problem. Plus, how do you show the taxi that just cut you up at 140kph and then pulled over to pick up the good-lookigng chick on the corner?

    Miss M > Anyone can get a licence in SA if you pay enough.
    Also, we can arrange passports, IDs, credit cards…

  6. 😆

    Anger vented.

    I could not snap him sooner, charging down the invisible fourth lane on the right (you see that narrow strip behind the white line?) and cutting in, honking his intentions, as if he was completely entitled to claim the half-a-car-length gap infront of me as his own. Note also where I took the picture from – not in the lane I was originally in, but my “escape route” lane, i.e. the one I had swerve into to avoid this doos.

    Emil´s last blog post was: Maklike stereotipering (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

  7. Reflex > Hmm – that actually should work.
    But if it doesn’t and we get refused entry and sent back on next flight, that would be 24hrs of flying with two kids (aged 3 and 1) in… well… 24 hrs.

    Would you chance it?

  8. They are terribly annoying – cutting in to traffic, creating alternative routes, driving ridiculously..

    But isnt it because of the competition? Is it even about more money these days? Perhaps some of the taxi operators should decide on a knew philosophy , ie promoting safe taxi’s.. Perhaps that will keep finance on par, and create a trustworthy service, will loyal users..

    Or is that just me living in my imaginative world again..

    Craig´s last blog post was: Salma Hayeks’… (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

  9. Craig > Come on, Craig – wake up!

    I do think there is more than just money though, seriously. Power is where it’s at.
    It’s like the mafia. The minibus mafia.

    I’ll put that down with ZumaRuma as another (TM)

  10. Back to the basics. Its transport. Its just gotten reckless because its now a business for many(unlike local trains and buses that are not competing). They employ drivers for fleets of taxis. And by getting ahead, many are intereferring with other businesses(competition).

    Basic taxi law stands on ashes, so its common for these alterations to create violence. Especially seeing as many taxi operators come from rural areas,

    But ultimately it is a lucrative business for many.

    Saying that its purely for power, is an assumption based on a mere observation of apparent bullying. Its like saying all taxis drivers are crazed, psycho and un-licensed.

    I have used minibus taxis in rural, suburbia and town, on many an occasion – Successfully hehe

    The competition has intensified greatly and hastily. Cramming taxis for a means of actually making money is real. If its to prevent having to sit and wait at the back of the taxi rank queue for, at times, hours or perhaps to because of the taxi syndicates that work together to increase their total daily intake. Thus the use of bullying is used.

    But then what about the drivers that are just trying to put food on the plate every night? Does he/she now have to go beyond the law in an effort to actually provide?
    Its competition. And money is a huge reason. Survival.

    I know of several friends that were pondering opening up their own taxi businesses, employing 3-6 or more drivers. And living it up. So they said..

    This is why I was saying, a peaceful and safer method of transport by use of minibus taxi, may be a better option. Or business idea 🙂

    But ye.. like that will happen.

    Craig´s last blog post was: Salma Hayeks’… (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

  11. Craig > I don’t think the actual drivers see it as a power thing – the kingpins though – definitely. For the drivers – as you say – it’s all about the cash in hand, the daily payment to the boss and the rest is yours. So – faster you make the R500 for the guy upsairs, faster you can make money for yourself, food for your family.

    Money may play a part upstream, certainly, but the trouble that accompanies these disputes and the shocking, unneccessary violence leads me to believe that this is more about “gang warfare” and who is the bigger man than simply who gets more rides – the bosses are going to get their R500 per driver per day anyway – guaranteed.

  12. OL > I’m sure. But we all know you have a foul mouth, Pammie. 😉
    That’s like Schabir saying Jacob is “quite trustworthy”.

  13. Well.. Perhaps Hello Peter would be a good place to start. hehe. Ill gladly complain about their lack of customer service. 🙂

    Craig´s last blog post was: Salma Hayeks’… (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

  14. O, Pammie is quite the lady. I am usually much more tolerant! You see how easy stereotyping is!

    So glad you could laugh, 6k! That’s probably not easily done 😉

  15. I might start taking photos of the taxi drivers around Nottinghamshire 😆 Which bit you TM’ing anyway 6000? the “Minibus Mafia” bit?

    Wiggy´s last blog post was: Car is back on the road (Kind of) (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

  16. Ooh I wasn’t going to comment but now I feel left out.

    I saw taxi driving up the pavement in Rondebosch once. And one driving the wrong way up the highway. And many other thing I wish to forget.

    Would the army even be enough? Those guys rule the roads. You need to start a rival mafia and fight to the death, that is the only way.

    po´s last blog post was: How much poo would a dassie poo if a dassie could pooh pooh? (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

  17. Craig > Hellopeter only really works on the cellphone companies, I’ve found.

    Emil > She’s very calm and relaxed. From a little sleepy village, you see?

    Wiggy > Mansfield Minibus Mafia? Cool.

    Po > Pavements, RHS of the road, chevrons, side of your car. They’ll go anywhere.
    Best avoided for a lass in your condition, I think.

  18. Lol… I sniggered when I read your explanation of “doos” 😀 it’s been such a long time since I heard/read that word!! 🙂 It reminds me of “doos wyn”, which was never meant to be complimentary!!

    Helga Hansen´s last blog post was: What’s the buzz? (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

  19. Thank Emil.

    And sleepy it might be, but we also have our fair share of taxis with interesting interpretations of traffic laws.

    Ordinarylife´s last blog post was: What do you do? (Note: 6000 miles… is not responsible for the content of external internet sites)

  20. Reflex > He’s served his time. Well, 12 days of it.
    What a disgrace.

    Po > You keep your worms happy by eating. Constantly. Apparently, anyway.

    HH > Well – there is another afrikaans word you can use, but that one is REALLY rude!!!!

    OL > Aw. Bless. Do you want me to get you two a room?
    Every city in SA thinks their taxis are the worst. Only Durban is correct.

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