Dapper Limpopo taxi driver shares how dreams do come true

Phillip Tshivhandekano became a laughing stock when he told his class that he wanted to become a taxi driver after completing his matric more than 20 years ago.

But today, he is the envy of the taxi industry because of his smart dressing style, exceptional customer care skills and his outstanding ability to observe the rules of the road.

Dressed for success

Tshivhandakano, who stays at Damani village near Thohoyandou in Limpopo dresses in suits every day and puts on a tie to make sure that he is presentable to his passengers, fellow taxi drivers and everyone he comes across.

“I have more than 15 suits and countless ties that form part of my everyday wardrobe when I go to work. When you work with people on daily basis, you have to be clean, presentable, approachable and polite. Through my smart dressing style, I want to send a clear message that being a taxi driver is a decent job that everyone can love and enjoy.”

Dreams come true

He recalls his school days at Silemale High School in Khubvi.

“I still remember when my teacher asked me what I wanted to be during the career guidance period in matric. I proudly told the class that I wanted to become a taxi driver. Everyone laughed at me but that did not discourage me because I knew that it was going to be my lifelong career.

After matric, I went straight into the taxi industry as a driver and I worked hard, saved some money and bought my own taxi.”

Also nicknamed “Bin Laden” because of his long beard, Tshivhandekano says he has also named his taxi Bin Laden so that his loyal passengers can easily identify it when it approaches them.

“I carry passengers from Thohoyandou to Musina every day and all passengers want to ride in Bin Laden. If my taxi is full, I advise passengers to take the next one because I don’t take overload. I could see they are worried because everyone wants to ride on my taxi. I have never argued with a passenger in my 20-year career as a taxi driver.”

Tshivhandekano, who personally washes his taxi every evening, said he has never been involved in a road accident in the past 20 years.

“I inspect my vehicle every morning before I take my first trip to make sure that everything is in order. I have never skipped service because I know that a vehicle that carries people should be roadworthy at all times. The vehicle is the only source of my income I should take good care of it.”

And his message to fellow taxi drivers is: Let us all dress smartly, treat our passengers with love and service our vehicles regularly so that other people can take to take our taxi industry seriously.

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