Following the delivery of 10 taxis to KwaMashu Taxi Association late last year, Ithala started 2023 with so much positivity that saw Inanda Taxi Association taxi owners getting ready to ride their goals in brand-new taxis.

Ithala has committed itself to revitalizing the KwaZulu-Natal economy through its unique taxi finance service offering. The financial institutions worked around the clock to ensure that taxi owners start 2023 on a high note.

“We aim to ensure that we cement our relationship with sectors and industries through our various service offerings and the taxi industry is one of the valued stakeholders we have partnered with for many years,” said Ithala SOC Limited Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Thulani Vilakazi.

Ithala continues to transform the taxi industry with much focus placed on women who have increasingly shown their appetite to grow. During the studded event at Halfway Toyota Malanda in Umkomaas, the financial institution handed over another 10 taxis to eight women and two men.

Speaking to one of the beneficiaries, Ms. Nomonde Ncanana could not contain her excitement as she added another taxi to her fleet of vehicles. “When I took over from my mother in 2021 when she passed away, I was hesitant because the industry is hugely dominated by men. It is often viewed as a ruthless industry but working with Mr. Thomas Getsemane, our chairman, has made it so easy for us as women.

“I am happy that Ithala showed professionalism during the process until its finality. When our association approached other banks, they were reluctant but Ithala was the only financial institution that came through,” the 29-year-old said.

“We appreciate their team and wish that they continue to help other small businesses with that quality service they displayed towards their whole process,” she added. During the event, the financial institution committed itself to driving these partnerships with taxi associations across the province of KwaZulu-Natal.

“Our commitment to redefining wealth aims to transform sectors and industries. As we have done so in the past for the taxi industry, we have demonstrated yet again this year and I am very pleased that most of the beneficiaries are women,” Dr. Vilakazi said.

Another woman who benefited from this bulk-buying partnership is 65-year-old Ms. Sibongile Ntanzi, who could not contain her excitement.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Getsemane who worked closely with Mr. Thabani Mngadi from Ithala. Both these men played a crucial role in assisting us in achieving our goal. I will also like to extend our gratitude to Halfway Toyota,” she said. “Their professionalism and patience were impeccable and they treated us like queens,” she added.
 
A pioneer in banking the unbanked in KZN, Ithala SOC Limited is the first financial services institution to provide banking services to townships and rural areas of KZN and provides a range of key savings and investments products, insurance services and personal and home loan products to communities throughout the province.

A distribution network of 36 Ithala branches in KZN provides convenient transacting facilities.