As the Taxi Association and the City of Ekurhuleni collaborate on this new project, history is being made in Ekurhuleni. Ten years later, at a press conference at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Centre, O. R. Tambo, themed after Ekurhuleni city, Harambee services negotiations were officially initiated. The Chairperson of the Ekurhuleni Gauteng Taxi Association, Zenzi Nhlapho, the Manager of the City of Ekurhuleni, Dr. Imogen Mashazi, the Chairperson of SER, and MMC Andile Mngwevu attended this momentous occasion.
The Harambee project is said to be a long project and is being implemented in phases across the municipality. The fleet began with eight buses in 2017 and now there are 56 top-of-the-range buses and still counting. Dr Mtshali called his panel of negotiators upfront to vow that this project will be treated with the utmost respect and that the people of Ekurhuleni should always be put first.
In a question directed to the MMC on the state of potholes and how these buses will operate, he answered by claiming that the allocated budget for roads will be used properly to ensure smooth operating roads.
Phases of the Harambee project are reportedly being implemented throughout the municipality and are expected to take a lengthy time. The fleet started with just eight buses in 2017 and currently consists of 56 top-tier buses and counting.
Dr Mtshali summoned his panel of negotiators in advance and committed to treating this project with the utmost care and prioritising the needs of the Ekurhuleni people above all else.
By Nomfundo Twala