These 5 Taxi Guardjies Deserve Our Respect

Guardjies (pronounced gha-chees) are the ones who keep things moving on a minibus taxi. They call out stops, collect fares, and help passengers with the door. Many people see them as loud or impatient, but there’s another side to their role that often goes unnoticed. Some guardjies have stepped outside the stereotype. They look out for people, bring smiles during long commutes, show kindness in ways that surprise us, and show us that you can rise above your circumstances. Today, we focus on these positive stories that remind us there’s more to guardjies than meets the eye.

 

The Guardjie Who Turned Traffic Into A Stage 

Morning traffic in Cape Town feels endless, but one Nadeem ‘Diempie’ Swartz made it feel like a show. This Hanover Park local brought out his best dance moves every day to ease the frustration of the morning rush. He even asked the driver to turn the music up so he can entertain everyone stuck in traffic. And people loved it. Videos of his performances have spread far and wide, with people actively hoping to see him in action during their commute. Whether he’s hanging from the taxi door or dancing in the middle of the road Nadeem makes sure the day starts with a laugh.

 

 

A Guardjie Giving Back 

 

Yaseen Abrahams knows the value of a good deed. After years of guiding people in and out of taxis, he decided to use his earnings for something bigger. In honour of his late mother, Yaseen took it upon himself to offer free rides to elderly passengers who often struggle with mobility and rising transportation costs. 

 

Together with his driver partner, Ashraf Cassiem, Yaseen provided this service daily and even visited old-age homes to spread the word. His heartfelt mission encouraged others in the taxi industry to join the cause. It’s always amazing to see how simple acts of kindness can ripple through an entire community.

 

 

The Former Guardjie Turned Boss

 

Eshaam Abrahams has seen the world from the backseat of a minibus taxi, but now he’s in the driver’s seat of his own business. A German tourist he shuttled around Cape Town was so impressed by his service that he gifted Eshaam a car to start his own tourism business. Today, Eshaam runs EA Travel and Tours, showing people the sights he once only drove past.

 

 

The Former Guardjie Who Didn’t Let Life Hold Him Back

 

Jerome Samuels didn’t let tough circumstances keep him down. He started working at a young age to help his family, and life led him through many roles. From taxi guardjie to packer to driver, Jerome has seen it all. But his grit didn’t stop there—he went on to complete his high school diploma, land a job with the Department of Correctional Services, and even earn his PhD. Now, he’s leading a department in Goodwood Correctional Centre, a position he never thought possible when he first stepped into a taxi.

 

 

The Guardjie Who Chose Kindness

Commuter Roger Jacobs once boarded a taxi in Pelican Park and noticed something that left an impression on him. The guardjie was helping an elderly woman with her bags, and then gave a disabled passenger a lift without hesitation. Instead of turning away a second disabled passenger who climbed aboard, he welcomed him too. It wasn’t until Roger shared this on Facebook that people started realising who he really was: Ryan Jacobs, a kind and thoughtful guardjie working alongside his driver on the Wynberg route.

 

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