Some passengers at the Baragwanath Taxi Rank in Soweto say they’re worried about the effect the coronavirus lockdown will have on their jobs.
Hundreds of commuters began queuing for taxis to their destinations on Tuesday morning while street vendors set up shop selling vetkoeks and snacks.
One passenger said: “We can survive because South Africa is rich.”
Another added: “What’s going to happen within the 21 days? We are going to work to find out if we’re working from home, will we have our jobs when we come back?”
What is missing though are people to sanitize the taxis after Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula promised they’d be there.
##Covid19SA taxi owners and passengers at Chris Baragwanath taxi rank going about their business as shutdown looms on Thursday at midnight @BongaDlulane pic.twitter.com/cioyaq0b4F
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 24, 2020
ISIPINGO RESIDENTS FEEL ANXIOUS
The national lockdown announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday night has left workers in Durban feeling anxious.
Isipingo is a buzzing industrial town where thousands of low-skilled workers earn their income to feed their families.
Angel Magwaza, who works at a local petrol station, said she was anxious and was still trying to understand how the lockdown would play out.
Another worker, Deven Naicker, said hard as it was, the president’s decision was necessary.
“If people are all out then people will get 10 times worse. There are advantages and disadvantages in life.”
Taxi operators say their industry would be hit hard by the lockdown and while they understood the decision, the president would need to fulfil his pledge to assist vulnerable.
WYNBERG TAXI RANK SHARE MIXED FEELINGS ON LOCKDOWN
While some South Africans are still uncertain and panicked following the announcement of a coronavirus lockdown, others say it was the right call.
In Wynberg, in Cape Town, numbers at a usually buzzing transport hub are already dwindling.
While working on a taxi, Naeem Majiet said he was looking forward to a break as he saw the lockdown coming and saved some money.
“I feel alright, I’m gonna sit at home now and drink liquor. You must save.”
Monica Maka has been selling scones there since 2017 – she already has no food at home.
“There’s nothing I can do, I don’t have grocery, I’m depending on this.”
#CoronavirusInSA While some may live off their savings, others are panicked and are waiting to see how government will assist. LP pic.twitter.com/jXcwOfyAad
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 24, 2020
#CoronavirusinSA Some taxi drivers in Wynberg are still doing what they can to help protect their passengers. LP pic.twitter.com/rk3khwqFIN
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 24, 2020
#CoronavirusInSA The number of people at the usually buzzing Wynberg taxi rank are already dwindling. LP pic.twitter.com/LH7HSQeE5z
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 24, 2020
In other news – Video of Bonang Matheba dancing to ex-boyfriend AKA’s song causes chaos – Watch
Queen B aka Bonang Matheba has left the tongues of many wagging after a video of herself dancing to her ex-boyfriend AKA‘s music while on an Instagram live video. In the video, she can be seen vibing to a collaborative single by ex-boyfriend AKA and Anatii.
On Monday, 23 March 2020, Bonang took to Instagram with a full face of makeup, stating that she did her face just to go downstairs, continue reading
Source: EWN
