Mr Ompha Mphaphuli from Mbilwi has won the provincial Light Delivery Vehicle (LDV) Driver of the Year title in the Department of Transport and Community Safety's Taxi Driver of the Year competition. The prize-giving ceremony was held at Bolivia Lodge, outside Polokwane, on Saturday, 25 October.
Drivers competed in four categories — rigid trucks, articulated trucks, light delivery vans (LDVs) and rigid vehicles with trailers. Mphaphuli works as a driver for a private emergency medical service (EMS).
"My job can be very stressful, but I was very happy and proud to receive this award. This is a huge achievement for me. I think it might also inspire other drivers to realise that they are just as capable," said an excited Mphaphuli. He received R20,000 in cash and a trophy.
MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Ms Violette Mathye, said several activities had taken place during October's Transport Month to celebrate the role transport played in social and economic life. She said the department was proud of Mphaphuli and the other drivers' achievements.
According to Mathye, the main aim of the competition is to improve the driving skills of male and female taxi drivers across the country. The competition also runs at national level.
"We are pleased to see that the number of participants in this year's competition increased dramatically, especially with more women taking part. It shows that people are taking the competition very seriously. This will also help reduce accidents on our roads — many lives can be saved through this programme," said Mathye.
She added that the competition included drivers of large vehicles such as buses and trucks. "This is where we test all the drivers, both on public roads and inside the testing grounds. It's like when a person is being tested for a driver's licence," she said.