GOOD Statement by Shaun August
GOOD National Organiser and Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament
18 November 2022
The GOOD party in the Western Cape calls on all stakeholders in the taxi industry to take the necessary steps to avoid negatively impacting this year’s final matric examinations.
The South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) has issued a public notice that it is embarking on a provincial shutdown in protest against the Western Cape government’s decision to abort the Blue Dot Taxi Program.
This decision comes after running costs associated with the program became too much to bear for the provincial government and alternatively, they decided to pass the buck to the national Department of Transport.
While we recognise and respect the right to protest, this action comes at a crucial time for our youth and their futures. The taxi industry accounts for 75% of the provincial public transport machinery and is therefore critical for matriculants and school going children to access exam centres for their final examinations.
The class of 2022 fully experienced the impacts of Covid-19 and had their schooling career upended towards the end of their secondary academic journey.
Now, as they are in the final stretch of this all-important time, SANTACO should proceed with caution as this shutdown has the potential to severely disrupt this already challenging period.
The carelessness of the DA-led provincial government could adversely affect the future of many young people and undermine the provincial effort to ensure that they have all the support to eventually succeed and be part of the national workforce.
Media Enquiries:
Shaun August, GOOD National Organiser & Member of Western Cape Provincial Parliament
Cell: 074 746 7378
Email: shauna@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD Media Manager
Cell: 0733671223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za