Since I don’t drive.With the gentleman who drives Phalo and I around when not using Uber being on locked down.Mobility is a challenge .This morning I woke up having realized I had not made prior arrangements for my collection.

Never one to inconvenience others unnecessarily.I decided to take the ‘normal’ taxi from Rosebank to the Randburg taxi rank with the hope of catching a ride to work with my colleague who resides in Hurlingham(2km away from Randburg Taxi Rank).

When I called informing her I was walking to her home she informed me she was not reporting for http://duty.It  had not been long since leaving the taxi rank so I traced my steps back.Though I last used the Randburg Taxi Rank in the early 2000s.

I still knew my way around.Finding a taxi to Alex was not a mission .I boarded a taxi that already had 7 passengers with me being the 8th .Two more passengers hopped in..I was taken aback but hey who are you to even raise a nostril in a taxi.

The taxi shrunk with each passenger wishing they could reduce their body weight and mass to avoid physical contact by all means http://necessary.As  we were about to depart the cops pounced.Ever so polite they informed the driver of the overload.

Myself and the last two passengers made our way out following the logic last one in-first one out .As we were outside.The entire taxi rank rose in retaliation arguing the rules have changed with capacity being raised to 70%.Temperatures started flaring.

After a quick google search on latest public transport regulations yielded no results.With my tiny voice I appealed for calmness.I reached to my pocket and produced my work permit to ‘buy’ some authority and then advised we call the Minister of Transport for clarity.

I had to pull rank )I couldn’t get through to the Minister but I managed to reach Esethu from the Minister’s office who confirmed the regulations had been changed.I duly informed the police officers and the taxi was granted clearance.

As we set off .It was time to pay since people would be alighting at different stops/locations.Already there was an air of deadly fear in the taxi.Passengers fearing for their lives as each passenger being overtly suspicious each person is carrying the virus.

The usual taxi commuter banter was not there.The radio was off though it looked like it was in working condition.The driver was barren of the typical taxi driver machismo.Instead he was somewhat pensive demeanor.Those who have used taxis know how the payment system works.

Each row passes the cash to one person who assumes the role of taxi conductor who passes the cash on to his counterpart on the other row like handing over a baton until it gets to the driver who would then disperse the change which will follow the the same route back.

There was silent resistance in taking the money,almost like a protest as no one was keen on handling/touching cash from the other.Eventually the process started http://rolling.It  is early morning.The driver has no loose change and commuters are paying with ‘big’ notes.

Commuters are now furious demanding their change.The snob in me is thinking I cannot afford another altercation or a brawl.Not inside a fucking taxi.I had a few R10 notes so;for peace and order I offered to pay those who were owed.

Luckily it was not a lot (well you sell nigga is broke).Buy this time all I want is to get the fuck out of this taxi.I am familiar with Alex (well I’m familiar with most GAUTENG townships as I have been to ALL)so I knew where I was headed

however I alighted at the Pan Taxi rank which is quite a distance from where we were to convene for our work duties..

Walking the streets where there were pockets of women still in their sleepwear gathered outside the gate with cloths and blankets wrapped around their differing frames almost in every fifth house,catching up on their gossip whilst sipping on morning coffee.

This was balanced by small groups of guys smoking and laughing at various street corners carrying on with their lives.Scantily dressed children were already out playing street soccer.

My heart felt a deep sense of sadness,anxiety and worry.I reflected on what I’m seeing and said to myself.These are my relatives,brothers,sisters and nephews.They are carrying on with their lives seemingly oblivious to the death that is hovering on these very same streets.

The death that has probably sneaked into their bodies without their knowledge.I mean it is now common knowledge there is a case of a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in Alex so surely that should jolt some fear.

I halted my tracks to quiz the kids if about the CORONAVIRUS.They nonchalantly acknowledged its existence but dismissed it as de lo tsa magoa le mabojwa and batho aba phaphang aba ratang de lo(a disease of whites,the bourgeoisie,the excitable ones and the socialites).

Their eyes beaming with optimism and childhood naïveté. I tried explaining to them but I could tell they were not bothered.Feeling defeated.I trudged on.The scene at the women’s hostel where we launched the government program was no http://different.It  was business as usual.

Though there was awareness of the virus it was still viewed as a distant intruder particularly by the younger generation. ‘Yinto ya le eStjwetla angekhe ize la.’

The elderly were strict on adherence to basics such as physical distancing and most appreciative of the sanitizers provided and that their building was to be flogged and fumigated.

By the time we left my heart was heavy.Heavy because one thing for sure lives will be http://lost.My  life,your life,your children’s lives.Everyone stands to lose someone over this virus.

The taxi commuters are at risk daily as there are no sanitizers and money exchanges hands.The 70% occupancy throws the physical distancing off and thereby increases the risk.The people who loiter blissfully on the streets are a danger.

The children who are out there being their usual jovial selves will http://suffer.By  the time we left Alex.The streets had taken the complexion of the Alex you and I know.I do not have the answers.May God and the universe see us through this virus.