Abstract
The minibus taxi industry plays a vital role in the South African economy, with approximately 14 million South Africans relying on minibus taxis for daily transport. Despite its importance, the industry operates with limited government support and regulation. This lack of formal oversight has led to precarious working conditions for taxi drivers, who face job insecurity and are excluded from employment benefits. These precarious labour conditions have severe implications for drivers' well-being. Many are exposed to unsafe working environments and are frequently victims of crime. However, taxi drivers' experiences across South Africa are not homogeneous. This study adopted a qualitative research approach to explore the labour experiences of minibus taxi drivers in Kuruman. A qualitative approach was appropriate for this study, as it enabled Kuruman minibus taxi drivers to articulate their experiences and assign meaning to their everyday realities. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 minibus taxi drivers, which allowed the researcher flexibility to probe, clarify, and explore participants’ perspectives in depth. A non-probability snowball sampling technique was employed to recruit participants, which was suitable given the relational nature of the taxi industry and issues of access and trust. The interviews were analysed using thematic analysis to identify, interpret, and organise key patterns and themes emerging from the drivers’ accounts. The findings reveal that Kuruman taxi drivers are often exploited by their employers. They work irregular and extended hours for minimal wages in unsanitary taxi ranks. Furthermore, drivers perform significant emotional labour, expected to maintain professionalism, and satisfy passengers even in the face of verbal abuse and disrespect. The Kuruman taxi industry remains heavily male-dominated, and gender stereotypes persist. Some male drivers believe that female drivers lack the physical or emotional strength required for taxi work, which discourages women from entering the sector. In addition, taxi associations - although formally established - play a very small role in improving working conditions or protecting drivers’ rights. Nevertheless, the study found that taxi drivers employ a range of coping strategies to manage their workplace stress. These include social and leisure activities such as gambling and taking walks between trips. Overall, the study highlights the complex social and economic dimensions of labour precarity within the Kuruman taxi industry, underscoring the need for greater policy attention to the working conditions of South African taxi drivers.