The South African taxi industry is poised to undergo the necessary, radical transformation under the new leadership of President of SALLBTO and Executive Chairman of SANTACO’s Taxi Choice, Joe Sibanyoni.
“A new era in the taxi industry has started – change has come at last,” these are the words Sibanyoni used in his first speech as he gives a glimpse into how he is likely to run the business affairs of the taxi industry.
This comes after SALLBTO members at its AGM held on April 10 at the Birchwood Hotel in Ekurhuleni placed their trust in Sibanyoni to lead and take the organisation to new heights.
The flamboyant taxi leader steps in the big shoes of the late Jotham Msibi, who previously occupied both positions.
However, Sibanyoni reminded taxi stakeholders at the AGM’s gala dinner that he is his own man who had earned his stripes and wear them with pride.
Fondly known as ‘Joe Ferrari’, a moniker he earned for his love of luxury brand vehicles Sibanyoni started as a taxi driver in 1985. “In 1990 I got my first taxi, and it was a significant moment for me.”
He added. “My story is one of hope, resilience, perseverance. However, I can never tell you about my journey without acknowledging my humble beginnings and those who came before me.”
The highly determined taxi leader, who cut his teeth at the Kwa-Ndebele’s Kwaggafontein Taxi Association (KTA), attributes his rise to the high echelons of the taxi industry to the late taxi leader Steve Mmembers
prove that his success wasn’t handed to him on silver platter, but required dedication, hard work and perseverance, he also served under the leadership of Tom Muopfe, SANTACO’s founding President in 2001.
“My career took a pivotal turn in 1994/5 when the late Mr Steve Mabona, whom I regard as my role model handpicked me to become the taxi association’s secretary, a position that enabled me to serve under the structures affiliated to James Ngoya’s
SABTA,” he said.
As with the saying “with great power comes great responsibility”, Sibanyoni understands the weight of this responsibility. He has urged taxi industry stakeholders to embrace and support his leadership, which is backed by wealth of professional experience and positive track record, and likewise he’ll utilise it to bring about desired changes in the taxi industry.
“Now that I am in this prestigious position, I ask that you support me so that I can ensure that you are prosperous and lead you to the promised land of money,” he said calling his ascendency to power as historic moment in the taxi industry.
“My address today will become known as a historic moment in the history of this great industry. Today will go down as an extraordinary time for this industry and the date when the turnaround strategy began,” he assured attendees.
Sibanyoni reminded taxi leaders that his efforts to change the course of the taxi industry for the better nearly cost him his life.
“I think most of you will know that I was shot and severely injured by the previous rogue leadership of the industry. My vehicles were prohibited from operating for two years in an attempt to break me. But it failed,” he revealed.
He attributed his survival in the dog-eat-dog taxi industry to divine intervention.
“Only God knew that my work was not done and that I had a crusade to lead the taxi industry out of a dark place and into the light. This is the reason I survived against the odds,” he said.
