The EKamva Electric Minibus Taxi: A Leap Into The Future Or A Tough Sell?

• The eKamva electric minibus taxi is here to shake things up in South Africa’s transport scene.
• This taxi can cover over 200km on a single charge, with fast or slow charging options.
• Some South Africans are skeptical, wondering if drivers will embrace electric vehicles amid loadshedding woes.

Hey there, South Africans! Let me tell you about something that’s got people buzzing—and, let’s be honest, a little skeptical. South Africa’s first-ever electric minibus taxi, the eKamva, has officially hit the scene. But, as you might expect, the reactions from locals are mixed. Some are excited about the potential for cleaner, greener transport, while others are raising eyebrows and cracking jokes about loadshedding and battery life.

Now, the name "eKamva" is a clever nod to the isiXhosa word "Ikamva," which means "the future" or "into the future." And that’s exactly what this taxi is supposed to represent—a bold step toward revolutionizing the taxi industry. But will it live up to the hype?

So, How Exactly Does the eKamva Work?

Alright, here’s the deal: The eKamva is set to hit the roads officially sometime next year. This 15-seater wonder is all-electric, meaning it doesn’t run on petrol or diesel. Instead, it relies on a powerful battery that can take it more than 200 kilometers before needing a recharge. If you’re in a hurry, you can fast-charge it in just 75 minutes. Or, if you’ve got the time, you can opt for a slow charge that takes about 10 hours overnight.

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But wait, there’s more! To make this electric dream a reality, developers are already working on building charging hubs. The first ones are expected to pop up in Century City and Stellenbosch next year. And here’s the cherry on top: these taxis are designed to significantly cut down on carbon dioxide emissions, making them a much greener choice for our planet.

Will South Africans Embrace the eKamva?

While the idea of an electric taxi sounds great on paper, many South Africans aren’t holding their breath. Social media has been flooded with jokes and memes poking fun at the concept. For instance, Sbongile Dimbaza quipped, “Going the EV route takes away the fun of shaking the car violently to ensure every drop gets through all the crevices when filling up the tank. Huge tradition with taxi Gods.”

Nonhlanhla MamMthembu Mnguni chimed in with, “I’m already hearing taxi drivers explaining to passengers that he needs to recharge in their accent🤣🤣🤣” And Le Roy added, “I can imagine a taxi running out of battery on the N2 just outside Langa or Site C.”

Rakesh Hiralall echoed the sentiment, saying, “Some taxi drivers chance their fuel gauge and eventually get stuck for fuel. Imagine them chancing their battery life🙄” Meanwhile, Thando Isabella’s Mum joked, “Good morning, boss. I won’t make it to work today because all the taxis aren’t working due to loadshedding. The batteries are down.”

Michael Kamohelo shared a relatable concern, “That’s when you will be late for an interview because the taxi doesn’t have power cause it’s Stage 10 loadshedding.” Shelley Henderson added, “I can already see charging points will be vandalised. Nothing works.”

Mathlodi Mthimunye couldn’t resist saying, “I’m not leaving SA anytime soon until I witness that taxi running out of battery on a freeway.” And Morena Mokgolo summed it up perfectly, “Taxi drivers won’t buy those things. It takes a long time to charge, and time is money.”

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A Side Note: When Drivers Get Creative Behind the Wheel

Driver Uses Feet to Steer Taxi: The Craziest Stunt Yet?

Let’s take a quick detour from the eKamva conversation to talk about another taxi-related story that left South Africans scratching their heads. A viral video recently surfaced showing a taxi driver doing something truly unbelievable—steering the vehicle with his feet while driving at full speed! Yep, you read that right. Feet. On. The. Steering wheel. This guy must have nerves of steel—or maybe he just really trusts his passengers to keep him in check.

Drivers in South Africa are often referred to as the "kings of the roads," and this incident proves that they certainly know how to make headlines. While this particular driver’s antics might not set the best example, it does highlight the wild and unpredictable nature of life on the roads here. So, whether it’s electric taxis or foot-steering stunts, one thing’s for sure: South Africa’s transport stories never fail to entertain.