Taxi association helps single mother fund daughter's competition
Some of the team members that made Culthar Wagner’s dream come true are, from left, Zariah Dewet, Saadiqah Abdurahman, Bienjamien Jattiem, and Nasreen Ely.
Image: Phiri Cawe
Caraveller/Lentegeur Taxi Association Zariah Dewet, left and Saadiqah Abdurahma, right, handing over a cheque to Culthar Wagner, centre, who is going to Gqeberha to represent her school in the marching competition next month.
Image: Supplied
Culthar Wagner, 12, a pupil at Wavecrest Primary School, will represent her school in the Eastern Cape Schools Marching Competition at Gelvandale Stadium in Gqeberha on Wednesday 7 August.
Culthar’s participation was made possible through support from the Caravelle/Lentegeur Taxi Association (Calta), which assisted with funding for her uniform, tracksuit, and accommodation.
This will be Culthar’s first opportunity to compete outside the Western Cape.
Her mother, Nabeelah Wagner, expressed her gratitude to Calta for stepping in to help. “I am still in disbelief at the assistance. I am super excited. I could not thank them enough. I thank them in person and even send text messages, but I still feel that is not enough,” she said.
Ms Wagner, a single mother, reached out to the association for help. “To think that I just texted them and they came through is unbelievable. I know many often hold negative perceptions of taxi operators. My story showcases the positive gestures that exist within the industry. This is not the first time. I once lost a phone in the taxi, but within no time it was with me,” she said.
Calta chairperson Nazeem Abdurahman said the funds were donated by individual members and not taken from the association’s general fund. “It is very difficult in today’s life. Everybody is knocking on the door trying to get sponsorship from us. What inspired us was this girl that had to go compete in the Eastern Cape,” he said.
He said the association is committed to investing in the community, despite the many challenges facing the transport industry. “If other associations could put their hands deeper in their pockets, there is more we can have from the taxi industry,” he said.
Mr Abdurahman added that Calta is also involved in driver training programmes to improve services. “The City of Cape Town is also helping with a Shayela Smart programme for the industry,” he said. He called for more government support, saying that with proper subsidies, the taxi industry could do more for their communities.
Culthar is now preparing to compete with pupils from across the country and is looking forward to representing her school and province at the national event.