The Cape Town tourism industry has breathed a sigh of relief following news late Thursday evening that the minibus taxi strike has ended.
The tourism industry, along with provincial, local and national government, expressed concern not only for the paramount importance of tourism safety but also the broader negative economic impact and the reputational damage to Destination SA.
Cape Town Tourism issued a statement acknowledging the government and the South African National Taxi Council in the Western Cape (SANTACO-WC), for their respective roles in addressing the recent minibus taxi strike that affected the entire city.
“We understand the complexities that underlie the issues at hand and wish to commend both parties for their efforts in finding a temporary resolution by calling off the strike. During this period, the impact on citizens, visitors, and businesses across Cape Town has been noted.
“The tourism industry, being a vital component of Cape Town's economy and reputation, emphasises the importance of open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving. We firmly believe that the interests of all stakeholders – residents, tourists, and businesses – can be safeguarded through effective engagement,” read the statement.
Way forward
Earlier today (Friday, August 11), Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, provincial Minister of Mobility, Ricardo Mackenzie, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Roberto Quintas, and leaders of SANTACO provided an update on the latest round of talks that secured an end to the strike.
At the briefing, there was a collective call from all stakeholders for investigations into murders and other serious offences linked to the stay-away to be prioritised.
Winde said: “It is deeply unfortunate that this industrial action occurred and was exacerbated by deadly violence. The loss of life was absolutely unacceptable, and we will work closely with all law enforcement to bring justice to the families that have lost loved ones during this time.”
He added that it was now critical that the Western Cape Government, City of Cape Town, and SANTACO-WC kept open lines of communication. “We must keep talking to each other directly to overcome our challenges. We are committed to resolving long-standing obstacles that have faced the taxi and public transport sectors.”
To date, 155 arrests for various offences, which include public violence, have been effected and 398 cases have been registered. To date, no arrests have been made concerning the murders – five people, including a British citizen, lost their lives during the strike.
