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A soccer ball.
Rival taxi associations in Cape Town have united through sport to commemorate Freedom Day. The associations have a history of violence, fuelled by deadly disputes and control over routes. But today was a clash of a different kind.
The taxi industry is the backbone of public transport in the Western Cape. It has, however, been rocked by killings and violence. There has been increased tension and fatal shootings over recent months, with drivers and commuters at risk.
But today, they called a truce and were opponents for the shared love of sport.
The tournament comprises teams from across the Cape Flats and surroundings.
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“We are here to show the community that there was differences between us, between (Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association) CATA and Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA). We are showing the community that we settled everything, we are sitting down, we are trying to communicate between us to stop these fights because these fights are not gonna take us forward the only thing is we must sit down and fix our differences so that the communities can always depend on us. We must serve the communities every day, day and night. We are there to serve communities. they must trust us again,” says (CATA) team leader, Fikile Dyasi.
“We are here today to show people that we are united. We are not what people say we are. Even if we sometimes act like hooligans on the road, we want to show people that it is not in our blood; it is just things that happen along the way. Otherwise, even with this tournament, we are trying by all means to show everyone that there is still hope and that something positive can come out of the ranks. The reason why we are here today is to show people that we do care for each other and we do love each other. Through this tournament, we are also trying to show that, as time goes by, we are going to be okay,” says CODETA team leader, Siyanda Dyani.
Community members came out in their numbers to witness and support the games. A community member, Mthobeli Kosana, says he hopes that these games bring about peace between the associations.
“It is great that people are being brought together for a good cause. I loved this very much, and I came here today to see for myself what is happening. A prayer that we pray as a community is for people to go back to the way they were. These people were not born like this, but what changed them is their job. We ask that the Lord be with them. What they are doing here is a sign of peace. As travelers, we want to see a difference, and we trust that what they are doing here comes from their hearts,” says Kosana.
Organisers hope that the event will ease tensions in the essential sector.
“Due to people knowing that there are always fights between CATA and CODETA, we as soccer players want all of that to end and not happen again. We want drivers’ minds to be occupied with playing soccer, because soccer is what brings people together. Even commuters are here to watch. They have come to support because this is new to them. We want this to be the beginning, and we want to continue doing this going forward as the two associations,” says Roger Sokhatsha.
The final match of the tournament is expected to take place in Gugulethu 01 May.
RELATED VIDEO | Taxi violence | Cata, Codeta have until Tuesday to settle impasse
Reporting Amahle Du Toit
