It’s easy to overlook the good in South Africa’s taxi industry. Drivers often assert their dominance on the road, overload their vans with people, or obstruct the early-morning traffic. But while taxi workers may be loathed and misunderstood, their resilience and services are unmatched. Taxis are the main form of public transport in the country, used by the majority of commuters. To challenge the stereotype of taxi drivers as rule breakers, Siyabulela Kweleta and his creative collective Modern Day Pantsula are steering a new narrative. “It is our mission to reimagine and redefine all the stigmatised perceptions within society,” he says.
Modern Day Pantsula and photographer Dan Carter collaborated on a photo series titled ‘Modern Day Taxi Owner’ to celebrate the industry and those who participate in it. The photoshoot was shot in Diepkloof’s Bara taxi rank in Soweto, South Africa’s largest township. Here, people rely heavily on taxis to get them to where they need to be. Captured in natural lighting, the models are styled in soft tones and convey a sense of unity and brotherhood. These are refined citizens who are working hard to make an income, just like any other South African.
“Every job matters, and we all need each other to function as a society,” Kweleta says. Without the taxi industry, millions of people would struggle to find an affordable means to get to work or school. Through their photo series, Kweleta and his collective are reframing the crucial role taxi drivers play in the economy and people’s lives. “One has to recognise the work of everyone that’s trying to make South Africa better,” Kweleta says. “These are our unsung heroes.”
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