IT took Muzi Sibeko at least a week to prepare his outfit as a woman!
This is because the 35-year-old Lekazi taxi driver was one of the Nelspruit taxi drivers who chose to dress up as women on Friday, 30 August to honour the women of Mzansi.
Muzi, who has been in the taxi industry for 13 years, said this was the first time taxi drivers swapped their genders in Mbombela. He said it was not an easy task to prepare for the day as they struggled to get proper outfits.
“I now understand that women have to go the extra mile to look good. That’s why we have to show them love and respect everyday. They go through a lot to ensure they make things possible,” he said.
The taxi drivers also distributed sanitary towels to women at the taxi rank and also handed out doeks to older women.
Another driver, Ernest Sibiya said this was a way to express their appreciation to women. He said they decided to buy doeks to give to elderly women as they deserve the throne.
“We are supporting women, they always thrive even in the toughest times. We braved the cold weather and opted to resemble women because we care about them. We are basically saying, we know their struggles and we will always support them,” he said.
Meanwhile, John Mavundla, chairman of Topstar Taxi Association, encouraged unemployed women to join the taxi industry.
He said this will help them understand that it is more than making a living. Mavundla said the celebration of women by men from the taxi industry will be an everyday thing.
“Women are very important in our lives. By doing this we wanted to send a message that we appreciate them for everything. Our industry is mostly supported by women. We are saying we are with them and we are against any man that abuses women,” he said.
The taxi drivers said they plan to continue with the concept and do better.