WATCH: Ramaphosa vows to fully support the taxi industry post-Covid-19

This promise was made by President Cyril Ramaphosa at the first National Taxi Lekgotla on Thursday morning in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg.

The aim of the three-day lekgotla is to bring taxi operators together to discuss issues faced by the industry and the possibility of formalising the sector.

Ramaphosa told taxi bosses that the industry is critical to the economy of the country.

"As a sector, you have demonstrated clearly, during this pandemic, that you remain committed to playing your part as responsible citizens,” he said.

"I want to thank you for the role that you played during this pandemic, the taxi industry been active in driving government message around social distancing and good hygiene during its operations.”

Ramaphosa added: “I know you also had to sacrifice a great deal at the hight of dealing with this virus, it reduced your profits, it reduced a whole number of capabilities that you have and the nation thanks you for the role that you played.”

Ramaphosa stressed that taxi violence and illegal operations in the sector must be eradicated for the betterment of the sector and the economy of the country. 

"We also need to address the conflict resulting in competition over routes and the associated acts of violence and criminalist we often see.

"Just as the industry must itself address and overcome issues of safety and violence, we as government remain committed to driving interventions that must strengthen the industry.

"That is why among the issues that we would be discussing at this lekgotla is subsidization," said Ramaphosa.