TAXI bosses in the Western Cape go back to school.
Not to drive taxis, but to drive change.
A new Mini-Bus Taxi (MBT) Executive Leadership Development Programme, launched on 23 October 2025 at the University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB), aims to professionalise and transform the taxi industry through ethical, innovative, and forward-thinking leadership.
The six-month programme, a partnership between the South African National Taxi Council (Sanatco) Western Cape, the Western Cape Department of Mobility, and the UCT GSB, will train taxi industry leaders in leadership, ethics, and innovation.
It combines academic learning with workshops, coaching, and community-based projects focused on collaboration and practical problem-solving.
Santaco Western Cape chairman Mandla Hermanus said the programme marks a new chapter for the industry.
"Over six months, participants will complete a series of leadership modules rooted in Ken Wilber's Integral Theory," he said.
Hermanus said the course aims to promote "respect, ethics, and a shared vision for peace and progress".
The launch comes amid rising tensions and ongoing violence in the taxi sector.
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Earlier this week, a 32-year-old taxi owner was gunned down on the R300 highway, while in September 2025, violent clashes forced the closure of several taxi routes in Khayelitsha, Makhaza, Mfuleni, Somerset West, Nomzamo, and Lwandle.
Speaking at the launch, Western Cape Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku said transformation was urgent.
"The taxi industry must not be left behind," he said.
He stressed that "transformation is no longer optional".
"It's essential for the survival and growth of this critical industry."
Reflecting on the recent shutdowns, Sileku said the crisis tested the sector's leadership.
"It was a chance to show what true leadership looks like, putting people before pride and peace before politics."
He said reform must go beyond regulation.
"It's about re-engineering the way this sector operates, ensuring peace becomes permanent, livelihoods are secure, and commuters are protected."
Jodie Martin, head of executive education at UCT GSB, said the course was tailored for industry.
"It's designed with the specific needs of the taxi industry in mind," she said.
Officials believe the initiative could help address the root causes of taxi violence by producing leaders who value peace, accountability, and professionalism.
