“They Helped Them in the End”: Taxi Driver’s Swati Stand-Off With English Passengers Sparks Laughter

• A taxi driver attempted to question English-speaking passengers who seemed to be lost, leading to a humorous linguistic challenge
• The online clip featuring the taxi driver's comical struggle with the universal language was shared on the TikTok platform
• Social media users found the driver's persistent use of isiSwati hilarious, praising his lack of compromise and the authentic taxi rank enviroment
• Briefly News spoke with Nduna, a seasoned taxi driver, who offered a unique perspective on his experiences, from language encounters to musical preferences at local ranks

A comical encounter at a taxi rank, captured in a recent video, left social media users entertained.

The clip shared by TikTok user @mzamodlamini05 garnered many views, likes, and comments from social media users who found the taxi rank's non-vernacular language compromise to be hilarious.

The video shows a taxi driver eager to help two passengers, a white woman and a man, at a busy taxi rank. Aware of his inability to speak English, his peers push him to ask the couple in their language where they are heading. Uncomfortable with his colleague's response, the man poses the question to Swati instead, attracting laughter from his peers.

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Again, the man found it difficult to articulate himself in English and wisely chose to stick with isiSwati, but the couple noticed the communication breakdown was not going to help them and decided to walk away.

Taxi crime statistics

While taxi ranks are important transport hubs and often serve as community spaces in Mzansi, it's important to acknowledge that, like any high-traffic public area, they can sometimes be associated with criminal activity. Data from the South African Police Service (SAPS) for April 2023 to March 2024 recorded various crimes, which included robbery with aggravating circumstances and theft of personal property around public spaces.

While specific taxi rank crime statistics are separately tracked, commuters are generally advised to remain vigilant during busy times. Ongoing efforts by law enforcement and taxi associations aim to enhance safety and security for both passengers and drivers within these environments.

Navigating the streets and sounds of Mzansi

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The Briefly News team spoke with Nduna about daily life and memorable moments. We asked the man what his view was on the language barriers at the rank and how they handle them. He said:

"We do sometimes experience language barriers at the rank. Sometimes passengers come who don't speak our language, and some of us are not strong English speakers. For me, if I struggle speaking the passenger's language, I try to find a driver who speaks the language better, or I use hand gestures. The younger drivers are very helpful, even though they laugh at us for not knowing languages like English and Afrikaans well."

The article showed the English-speaking couple walking away due to a communication breakdown. We asked the man how he feels when such happens. He responded:

"It's a pity when that happens, because we want to help everyone. It's not a good reflection if people can't get service because of language. We try to be helpful. Sometimes, passengers are in a hurry, so they might just move on. It's a reminder for us that we should all try to learn a little bit of different languages, even if it's just phrases, to help out when we can.

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When asked what the most unusual or surprising question he's ever been asked by a passenger who might not be familiar with the taxi rank system was, Nduna shared.

"Sometimes people ask for a specific route just for them, like a private taxi, but we are a public transport system, you know. Or they ask if they can play their music. I am not fussy, I let them do it sometimes, but other drivers don't compromise on their music. I've once had a passenger who wanted to pay in foreign currency, imagine that."

SA debates the taxi rank's language preference

The post gained massive views, likes, and comments from social media users who were highly entertained by the taxi driver's video. A common sentiment shared was that the first rule of the taxi rank is indeed "No English," highlighting a widely understood, unwritten rule. Many admired the taxi driver's attempt to help in isiSwati, even after realising that the passengers spoke a language he wasn't comfortable articulating.

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Some users wished they had been there to witness the scene first-hand, stating they would have laughed at the man all day. Others commented on the lively and entertaining atmosphere of taxi ranks, expressing a desire to experience it themselves.

User @jacqsparrow5536 said:

"Look for trouble. You'll find it."

User @bruceb.malima added:

"Isikolo siyadingeka kwesinye isikhathi ukuze uqonde (education is needed sometimes, especially) in customer service. 💯✌🏾."

User @Nomsa Gebe commented:

"Mara ke nibenza bothuke uma nihleka (but guys, you're making the couple scared when you continue laughing) be kind guys sdingo sokuba tatazelisa asikho (making them shaken isn't right)."

User @Mishymds shared:

"It was so rude, I was there the other day and the guys told me I'm going to die! Not funny."

User @Theo_Lit_Rich joked:

"Trump will save this for the next press conference. We haven't learned anything 😭."

User @Liliza Masikane

"They helped them in the end 🥰."

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Watch the TikTok video below:

3 Briefly News articles about taxi drivers

• A group of Zulu men sitting in a taxi at a local rank turned down an upcoming artist who asked to promote his R&B song, saying they only listen to Maskhandi music.
• A young lady captured a list of rules in a taxi she was riding in, which included not calling the driver a taxi driver, bathing, and not speaking English.
• A group of taxi drivers did not hold back when a content creator asked them for signs of cheating partners, with some calling Xhosa women heartbreakers.

Source: Briefly News