By Staff Reporter
news@alexreporter.co.za
Taxi Industry pledges to work more closely with government to promote HIV testing and education
A more focused and responsive approach is required to increase HIV testing and boost education in the taxi industry.
This was the prevailing view in a round-table discussion themed FOCUS: HIV still needs our attention.
The event, held on 27 October 2021 in the ARMSTA offices was initiated by the Transport Education Training Authority (TETA).
The objective was to revive HIV awareness, now known as the ‘forgotten epidemic’ in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Alexandra Randburg Midrand Sandton Taxi Association (ARMSTA) hosted the dialogue with the objective of attracting more social partners who could help the industry overcome its many challenges.
Zonwabele ‘Blackie’ Tshayana, a facilitator, author and HIV activist, has been living positively with the virus for 22 years. He advocates that society be free from stereotypes and prejudices about the appearance of people living with the virus.
Tshayana challenged the panelists to address the elephant in the room and face the negative perceptions about the taxi industry as an uncaring and patriarchal industry that ignores social ills such as HIV and gender-based violence.
Tshayana believes that the taxi industry should be viewed as part of society as a whole, as it does not exist or operate outside the communities it serves.
He challenged the predominantly male-dominated industry not to evade testing and to talk openly about testing regularly.
Sabelo Mbuku, Head of Marketing, Communications and Career Development at TETA drew the audience’s attention to some of its grassroots initiatives that aim to increase access to health and wellness drives.
One of these programs, Hlokomela, brings mobile clinics to taxis and provides free counseling, testing and screenings for STIs and HIV.
“It is in the best interest for the taxi industry to focus on HIV prevention through education and condom distribution.
“If people fall ill, their ability to earn an income is reduced and they cannot contribute fully towards economic activities,” said Mbuku.
Speaking for ARMSTA, Sandile Mkhize, highlighted the need to create dedicated health and welfare desks to provide services on the ground for taxi drivers and marshalls at taxi ranks and not only focus on commuter testing.
Furthermore, Mkhize recommended Peer Educators as a potential mechanism to ensure that critical messages are conveyed in a creative and impactful ways that the majority of taxi driver and rank marshals can identify with given the unique and pressurised working environment.
A one-size-fits-all approach is not ideal when trying to penetrate a particular audience, says Mkhize.
Mkhize challenged the audience to move away from labelling people living with HIV as “immoral” because some people are born with it and there are various ways to contract the virus.
She recommended that people view it as any other medical condition and support those who live with it.
The Church’s role was once again put into the spotlight as Rev. Siviwe Waqu of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa emphasized the importance of providing holistic support for individuals and their families.
Waqu said, “The church must not only reach out to people, but also be more responsive in offering support to those who need it.
“For example, feeding schemes that churches run contribute towards nutritional support because you cannot take treatment or medication on an empty stomach.
“People must be fed physically, emotionally and spiritually to ensure that they receive holistic support when they are vulnerable.
“When families lose people because of HIV, the church steps in to provide bereavement support. We must open doors and create a safe space for people to openly speak about HIV, stigma, depression, abuse and all other related social ills.”
Representing the Gauteng Department of Health, Maeshela Maheya highlighted how closer collaboration was needed between government and the taxi industry to realise their shared goal of reducing infections and increasing access to treatment.
Maheya urged those who had not already done so to consider medical male circumcision as one way to reduce their risk of contracting HIV and spreading infections.
All stakeholders are committed to being more proactive in programs that address community needs and all social challenges that include HIV infections and stigma.
Edited by Jonk wa Mashamba
