GlassPearl.co.za/blog

Undoubtedly the proposed Integrated Rapid Transport System (IRTS) will be a huge benefit to the general population and visitors to Cape Town alike.

It will allow for the regulation of the informal taxi industry and it will make travelling safer for commuters.

Putting taxi associations and Mayor of Cape Town Helen Zille in the same room is like adding fuel to fire though.  Especially when the mayor goes on radio and speaks about her ‘discussions’ with taxi owners in a very disparaging way.

If she goes into meetings like she goes on radio, then I’m surprised that we’ve not been subjected to more strikes.

I am still amazed at her interview on John Maytham’s show on Cape Talk this past Monday (on her birthday), about her Sunday meeting with members of the taxi associations.

She went on air and complained that they wouldn’t sit for her presentation.  Hello – neither would I! I hate presentations – even ones that pertain directly to my job or the ones from the Dalai Lama that my friends keep forwarding by e-mail.

Whoever created those damn PowerPoints should be punished with a life time of presentations to watch.

Mind you, taxi drivers are far from innocent in this situation.  Threatening to disrupt the elections because they don’t like what they’re hearing about the IRTS is beyond crazy. 

Not as crazy as Helen Zille threatening to call in the army in that same interview with John Maytham on Monday.  With Human Rights Day coming up on 21 March, this is insensitive and an unnecessary threat.

Of course the mayor now denies saying this. 

Well, I heard her say it and I’m sure Cape Talk should have the interview on record.

I have no idea how the mayor can go into ‘negotiations’ with taxi owners with the mindset that she knows what’s right for them and will show them what’s best for them.

Helen Zille has shown that she doesn’t respect the taxi owners associations and they in turn have shown that they don’t trust the mayor.

Somewhere along the line I hope someone with real leadership skills starts mediating this dispute – preferably someone not currently involved – so we can move on with relative little disruption.