The Democratic Alliance’s Federal Council Chairperson and former party leader, Helen Zille, recently shared a positive transport experience that drew public attention — particularly against the backdrop of tensions in South Africa’s taxi industry.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Helen recounted her trip back to Cape Town International Airport, where, with her children away, she opted to use the “authorised airport taxi desk.”
She praised the service as “friendly, helpful, and quick,” noting that staff assisted with her luggage and ensured a hassle-free ride. Calling it “a good, affordable alternative to more expensive options,” Helen said she plans to use the service more often.
“I’ll be using them more often,” she wrote.
1/2 I had a new experience ydy, which I think is worth sharing. We landed back in CT after some time abroad. With our children out of town, we decided to take a taxi home. We went to the authorised airport taxi desk, and found friendly, helpful and quick service.
— Helen Zille (@helenzille) August 17, 2025
Helen framed her appreciation in the wider context of South Africa’s gradual return to normality: acknowledging that while such impeccable service should be the norm, “in South Africa, with so many institutions destroyed by criminals, we celebrate every step towards normality again.”
2/2 They immediately accompanied us, helping with our luggage, to a nearby waiting car and off we went, with no hassle and a professional, friendly driver. I’ll be using them more often. A good, affordable alternative to more expensive options.
— Helen Zille (@helenzille) August 17, 2025
She added that improved policing, not harsher laws, is where the solution lies: “There is no point in stricter laws or harsher punishment if policing does not work well enough to secure convictions based on evidence. That is the weakest link.”
Her commendation comes amid a broader backdrop of taxi-related violence. Just days earlier, an Uber driver was tragically killed near Maponya Mall in Johannesburg — reportedly attacked by angered taxi operators.
First published by African Insider
Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele