Update
Phoenix Durban

Xoli Langa, an Inanda resident, refused to be a victim of the ever-deteriorating economic climate.

With the taxi industry generally being run by men, more and more women are venturing into this male-dominated industry.
Women from different walks of life are expanding the industry. Xoli Langa, an Inanda resident, refused to be a victim of the ever-deteriorating economic climate. From being unemployed, she has now become a taxi driver.
Langa who joined the taxi industry over 17 years ago was motivated by the need to provide for her three children.
“When I first started driving, many male taxi drivers used to mock, tease and provoke me. It used to hurt my feelings but I learned to stand up for myself and teach them how to treat me. It took long but I have earned the respect,” Langa said.
She revealed that no matter how difficult it got, she always thought of her children.
“It always brings me so much joy to see my children grateful for what I provide for them through my job. Providing for my 15-year-old, 11-year-old and two-year-old gives me so much purpose. It makes the hardships I endure on the road worthwhile,” Langa said.

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Opening up about the difficulty of entering a male-dominated industry, Langa revealed that the taxi industry is like all other industries.
“We all have bad days. As much as workers in various fields have bad days in their offices we also have bad days on the road. Workers in various fields also have good days, we also have good days on the road. Just because we don’t walk into an office and sit behind a desk that has a computer and a telephone, it does not mean that our job is less noble,” Langa said.
“Picking up and dropping people off at their designated destinations safely is a noble job that many take for granted, but there are many who offer gratitude for a ride safe home,” she said.
Langa went on to encourage unemployed women to look beyond how the taxi industry is portrayed and to provide for their families.
“So like any other job, it will be hard and one will have to prove themselves but the rewards are worth having. Knowing that you spent hours working hard for something makes it worth having,” she said.