DURBAN - Illovo community members in the South Coast threw a surprise party and showered their “selfless” rank manager with gifts and cash to encourage him to continue with the spirit of ubuntu.
The community gathered at the taxi rank on Tuesday, where there was a marquee, a DJ, a cake, food and drinks to celebrate their rank manager, Sgomora Sokhela.
Party organiser Bawinile Shezi said Sokhela was never told about the event, but they used his friend to get him to the venue when everything was ready.
“What we like most about him is that he goes out of his way to assist the community. Sometimes one would be short of cash, or one would arrive very late at the taxi rank only to find there are no taxis - in all these situations he is able to intervene and assist, in ensuring that the passengers get home safe,” Shezi said.
She added that Sokhela even helped schoolchildren when they have lost their taxi fare.
A community member Phili Mbanjwa said she once arrived in Durban at night on a weekend and there were no taxis available.
“I phoned Sgomora, and he made efforts for me to get transport even though he was at home with his family. His role is remarkable in our community. He is selfless and is able to assist whether it is in the day or night. We really appreciate him for his good service to the community,” Mbanjwa said.
Another community member Sthombe Mkhize said she got to know the rank manager when she was still a pupil.
“He never allows an elderly person, the disabled, the pregnant women or those carrying kids on their backs to stand in the queue. He always ask that they be allowed to get to the taxi first,” Mkhize said.
Shezi said she was also a beneficiary of Sokhela’s kindness.
“I was at the taxi rank and had parcels that needed to be paid for in a taxi, but I only had my taxi fare. A taxi driver had already left me. I approached Sgomora and he pleaded with the taxi driver on my behalf,” Shezi said.
She added that the idea of a thanksgiving party started in the Illovo updates, a Facebook community group.
“We were constantly getting comments from different people thanking our rank manager, Sgomora, for the good deeds he has done for them. This has been happening over a number of years,” Shezi said.
She said, this year they decided to organise a thanksgiving party for Sokhela.
“I contacted those who had posted about Sokhela and they liked the idea. Some contributed cash, others, a sound system, a marquee, a cake and food,” Shezi said.
Sokhela expressed gratitude to passengers who organised the party for him. He also thanked his colleagues from the association for cooperating with him all the time.
“I’m very happy. This is rare. No one really thanks us in the taxi industry,” Sokhela said.
He grew up in Msinga and has been in the taxi industry for over 15 years.
He said his mother played a significant role in instilling respect.
Daily News