Times Of Swaziland: SPARE A THOUGHT ABOUT BAFANA BEMDLAZI

SPARE A THOUGHT ABOUT BAFANA BEMDLAZI
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The Editor on 27/01/2019 11:01:00


Sir,
Other than security guards, they are also one of the most marginalised,
despised, underpaid and largely viewed and treated as ‘unlearned or
uncivilized’ members of the working class.
These are minibus conductors, drivers, as well as those who ply their trade in
public transport.
Popularity known as ‘bafana bemdlazi’, without any shadow of doubt, kombi
workers play a pivotal role in making sure that a larger majority of the
country’s workforce are transported to their various workstations in time and
safely, although the latter is questionable at times.
They work their socks off, losing valuable resting time to be up and about in
the wee hours of the morning, throughout a seven-day week period, to transport
workers, shoppers, school children, visitors,  you name it, to various
destinations.
In spite of the fact that some of them can be and are rude to their customers, I
have personally interacted and have experienced courteous and respecting
attitude, manners and etiquette from some of them. I have personally witnessed
how caring and gentle they can be, especially to the elderly and to pre-school
going children. They personally see to it that they help young ones who are
oblivious of potential danger from oncoming traffic, to cross the road safely.
nature of their job taxing
Just like in any other profession, the public transport industry has its rogue
elements or black sheep. Some employers, especially those in the service
industry, conduct customer-care lessons or send their employees to workshops
that teach on how to treat customers.
Sadly, in the public transport industry, its workers are thrown into the deep
end to fend for themselves. Theirs is a cutthroat industry, where it is survival
of the fittest. We witness on a daily basis an unholy scrambling for customers,
which at times compromises commuters’ safety.
If treating other people with respect was rarely or never instilled at an early
age in some of the public transport workers homes, then there is a problem.
The nature of their job is taxing to human endurance. They deal on a daily basis
with customers of diverse characters. Some board their minibuses or buses drunk
and cause mayhem. It calls for at times the firm and uncompromising reaction
from conductors to bring order in such potentially explosive situations.
Public transport workers constantly have running battles with traffic cops.
There is a general believe that some cops deliberately harass or waylay some
public transport workers. This at times manifests itself in spontaneous strikes,
inconveniencing us commuters.
commuters left stranded
We have experienced how any strike action by this country’s workforce can
bring the country to a standstill. It is high time they organise themselves into
a cohesive workers union, where they can be adequately represented and their
grievances addressed. It is sad and very inconveniencing when they down their
tools and leave us innocent commuters stranded.
Some of the minibus drivers cannot be exonerated from causing mayhem or
accidents on the country’s roads. The pressure from minibus owners for them to
make a sizeable collection (and of course, make umdlazi on the side), makes some
a danger to other road users, as well as pedestrians.
I am a proponent of fair treatment of all workers by the responsible ministry in
the country’s civil authority. I implore the Labour department to look into
the working conditions of public service workers. As much as they are viewed
with contempt by the larger populace, they too are human.
They also have responsibilities like many of us, for example, feeding their
families, building decent homes, sending their children to school. They also
have to save money for rainy days for their families.
Like all workers, they require adequate time to rest or go to church. Above all,
they deserve a decent, living wage which may help curb them from dipping their
fingers into the day’s collection.
On this note, I urge government, minibus owners and the public, to spare a
thought for these important drivers of the country’s economy. I also urge them
too, to be respectful to us commuters and never lose sight of the fact that we,
the public, contribute to their wages - however, meagre or pitiful they can be.
Shalom!
Alex Nxumalo 76058449