By Nangamso Mabindla
16 August 2005

MDANTSANE was the star of the day when SABC 2's Morning Live was broadcast across the country from the Highway Rank today.

The crew from the popular television show was in the province to discuss the implementation of the R7,7-billion taxi recapitalisation programme with key roleplayers.

The Mdantsane Taxi Rank was chosen as the broadcast venue because it is undergoing refurbishments as part of the Presidential Urban Renewal Project.

By 6am scores of the township's residents were already at the rank to catch a glimpse of Morning Live presenter Vuyo Mbuli.

Mbuli interviewed representatives from the Eastern Cape Taxi Council, the Transport Allied Workers, and provincial MEC for Transport Thobile Mhlahlo.

Speaking about the programme, Mhlahlo said that despite challenges with taxi associations in King William's Town, the provincial government was making inroads regarding its implementation.

"We are already training taxi drivers and marshals to assist commuters at taxi ranks. Regarding the King William's Town challenges, we are in advanced talks with them to introduce this initiative."

Through the programme, the national government aims to upgrade the vehicles used as taxis countrywide, as well as formalise the mainly informal taxi sector.

According to media reports, national Minister of Transport Jeff Radebe said on Monday, 25 July that 10 000 old and unroadworthy taxis would be removed from the country's roads by December 2006.

Taxi operators had until 30 November to hand over their vehicles, in exchange for R50 000.