A new study in Durban has found that minibus taxi drivers endure dangerous heat levels inside their vehicles for up to 11 hours daily, raising risks of heat stroke and kidney damage over time.
Lindokuhle Zuma, a 29-year-old driver, spends long shifts in his taxi near Warwick Junction. He earns R700 a week and keeps water on hand, though he must buy it from a nearby shop as the rank has no taps.
Researchers from the South African Medical Research Council placed sensors in 16 taxis at the Chesterville rank during March 2024. On 20 March, interior temperatures reached as high as 38.6°C with felt temperatures up to 49°C, well above the 32°C threshold linked to health dangers.
Professor Rajen Naidoo of the University of KwaZulu-Natal noted that most heat-related health effects occur outside official heat waves. The study also highlighted the need for shaded ranks, water access, tinted windows and air conditioning to reduce daily exposure for drivers who ferry most of the city’s public transport users.