The Sunday News
Roberta Katunga, Senior Reporter
LOCAL transport operator Tshova-Mbaiwa is set to acquire new vehicles after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with South African Vita-Vaal Inter-Provincial Taxi Association.
The partnership between the two co-operatives was formed following Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development Minister Sithembiso Nyoni’s visit to South Africa in July. Speaking at the signing ceremony in Bulawayo yesterday, Minister Nyoni said the two transport co-operatives have negotiated an agreement to work together, pool resources and grow the taxi business in both countries.
“Tshova Mbaiwa is one of the oldest co-operatives in the country formed by the late Vice-President Dr Joshua Nkomo, and they have shown resilience in the face of economic hardships that is why I linked them to Vita-Vaal so that they continue to serve Bulawayo and the region faithfully,” said Minister Nyoni.
She said the partnership between the two taxi operators would not only see them engage in cross border transportation of goods and passengers but also penetrating the tourism sector as transport operators. Minister Nyoni said the MoU signed would help create jobs in the SMEs sector as Tshova-Mbaiwa alone is employing more than 2 000 people and has more than 200 members and 500 vehicles.
“This is a historic occasion which I am proud to be part of and it will also benefit the country economically with increased revenue inflows,” she said.
Vita-Vaal chairperson Mr Thabang Letlala who led the South African delegation said their aim was to change the face of transport by building up co-operatives with proper administration structures, proper training for drivers with skilled people in the field of business and grow the sector so as to generate income. Mr Letlala said his co-operative chose to partner Zimbabwe after an interaction with Minister Nyoni who was open to working amicably with them as they both want to build co-operatives to the highest level. He, however, urged the Government to protect registered transport operators who are facing unfair competition from pirate taxis.
