Taxi drivers rule the world

You haven't lived until you take one of those taxis that ferry people between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay. I tell you, if you've ever struggled to pray, just hop onto one of these taxis and you will be saying the Lord's Prayer in Greek!The drivers of these taxis, locally known as 'Peep-peep' from the sound of hooting when looking for customers - have the unmatched ability to make these two coastal towns seem like they are merely suburbs of the same town.Trust me; if one of them were to drive past Michael Schumacher, the German would probably think his car was moving backwards!But it is not only their ability to clock 180 km/h in a 60 km/h zone that has made this mode of transport infamous - it is everything about them that makes them stand out above the rest.For starters, they do not wait for you to choose a taxi; they decide for you. Once you get out of the local taxi to look for another that will take you to Walvis Bay, four large guys would be storming towards you.I didn't think that was funny the first time it happened to me. I was ready to confess all my hideous dealings of the past ten years when I saw these dudes approaching at full speed. In my mind I was screaming, It was only a kiss - on the cheek, and, She told me her boyfriend was in Keetmanshoop!This is apparently how they secure customers; by rushing 'rugby style' towards you and grabbing your belongings. The next moment you have each one of the three bags you are travelling with in a different taxi.Once that happens, phase-two of 'How to board a taxi' kicks in. This stage is called the negotiation process, where each driver attempts to convince the other that he should have the privilege of having you as a commuter in his vehicle.It is funny; they do not even listen to you! It is like those tates from the village that will be deciding on the bridal price (lobola) for their most precious daughter. If she has Grade 12, has completed a Damelin course and speaks moderate English, she is going to cost you an arm and a leg.If she was born after Namib Air changed to Air Namibia and has the amazing ability to knit and sew, chances are you would need an AgriBank loan to wed her!So, there you are; standing with your hands on your hips, listening to this taxi driver, then the other and the other, not knowing what to make of the situation.Deciding on your own is even more difficult; I am told there is more than meets the eye to all those taxis that appear to need only one more person before they are ready to leave for Walvis Bay. Those taxis, I am told, are full of 'stones' or 'Omamanya' and not real commuters.I inquisitively inquired as to how the system works from one taxi driver.No my friend, those guys are 'omamanya'. This one is 'emanya' and this one also (pointing to the people in the car). We only load them to fool you people into believing the car is almost full, he said.The 'stones' will be driving around Swakopmund in the taxi looking for real commuters. If there are three 'stones' in a car, you would think you are the only one needed before departing. Once you getin, one 'stone' will get out of the car, again leaving one space.The process carries on until the taxi driver has filled his car. The 'stones' each earn about N$2 for their efforts. It is not much, but multiply that by the number of times per day the dude is prepared to act as a 'stone' and you'll be surprised.I am told that some commuters have caught on to the trick, which forced the drivers to change to women 'stones', as people are more trusting of women. One clever taxi driver has even gone as far as acquiring the services of 'white stones', as white people are apparently even more foolproof than women.In the end, it is not about working harder - only smarter, I am told.Until then&hellip;

Taxi drivers rule the world

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-03

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Taxi drivers rule the world

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-03

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