TRANSPORT STRIFE: EXPLAINER
Why Santaco views taxi strike as more than just a fight against a new City of Cape Town by-law
SA National Taxi Council members went on strike primarily in response to a new City of Cape Town by-law, which has led to large numbers of taxis being impounded. But the industry and government in Western Cape have long been in conflict over the taxi sector’s role.
Since Thursday, the City of Cape Town has been engulfed by violence with the loss of at least four lives. South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) members in the Western Cape went on strike on Thursday over what it called “frivolous [taxi] impoundment operations by the government”.
The strike will last until Wednesday, 9 August, said Santaco.
While the focal point of the strike was the City of Cape Town’s new traffic by-law, which came into effect in July, the relationship between Santaco and the municipality has long been hostile.
Santaco believes that the city does not recognise the industry as a business that is providing valuable public transport services in areas where the government is failing to do so.
What exactly is the new traffic by-law?
Under the National Road Traffic Act of 1996, a driver who is not carrying their licence is given a fine and allowed to go. But under the new traffic by-law, drivers get a fine for not carrying their licence and, in addition, their vehicle is impounded.
Other offences that now result in both a fine and a vehicle being impounded include missing number plates or not having number plates securely fixed in place, unroadworthy vehicles, vehicles with defective lights, or vehicles that aren’t up to original SABS specifications and have been illegally modified.
The by-law also covers participating in illegal street racing.
“With the harsh action intended to bring about lasting reform, the amended traffic by-law is the long-awaited answer to the majority of lawful motorists who long to see an improvement in road safety,” explained JP Smith, the mayoral committee member for safety and security.
He said the city had been impounding between 900 and 1,200 taxis a month for more than a year.
Santaco claims that the by-law is specifically designed to target the taxi industry, which Smith denies.
“It must be noted that since the beginning of the year, 6,000 taxis have been impounded, which amounts to 1,000 taxis a month,” said Mandla Hermanus, Santaco’s Western Cape chairperson.
“The numbers mentioned above paint a very clear picture of what we as the taxi industry have been saying all along: these operations are nothing more than a deliberate attempt to destroy the taxi industry in the province with no regard to the impact that this action will have on the communities that we service.”
Taxis around the CBD at the start of the taxi strike on 1 August 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo: Gallo Images / ER Lombard)
Santaco’s demands
Santaco’s demands include:
- A moratorium on the Conditions of Operations on the Operating Licences, the city’s regulatory process that manages taxi permits, while Santaco returns to the Minibus Task Team.
- That the city releases a schedule of tables for fineable offences and offences that lead to vehicles being impounded, with a clear distinction between the two.
- Dedicated bus lanes must be extended to taxis and monitored, as they are for the MyCiTi bus service. Cones would be acceptable in the interim.
- Out-of-bounds routes should be clearly defined so taxi drivers know where they are not allowed to operate.
- For the city to reconsider impoundments for obstruction, as there are a limited number of stopping bays for taxis.
- Reduced impoundment fee amounts, in line with other provinces.
- The Traffic Court in Green Point must simplify the release process from Ndabeni, where vehicles are impounded.
- The opening and closing times of the Traffic Court must be extended.
- Vehicles must be released before “paying warrants”.
- Before paying the fine, allow the vehicle to be released on payment of impoundment fees, allowing the operator to defend him or herself in court.
Government’s response
The City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government have offered to cease impoundments for minor infringements but want more discussions on the issue of permits. They also committed to release vehicles impounded for minor infringements under the new by-law.
Santaco, according to sources at the negotiations, wants to go further and have taxis that were impounded for serious infringements released.
The parties do not seem to agree on taxis having dedicated lanes.
Regarding the issue of permits, there are many areas that have been developed in Cape Town with no public transport routes established. Santaco members operate in these areas without permits and when stopped by officials they are fined. This is despite the fact that there are no other available transport options for commuters.
Santaco is challenging the by-law in court and the matter is due to be heard in February 2024.
Biggest public transporter
The taxi industry is the biggest public transporter of people in South Africa and completes an estimated 1.5 million passenger trips per day in the Western Cape alone, with approximately 15 million per day across the country.
Bus services MyCiTi and Golden Arrow transport a fraction of those numbers yet get the lion’s share of government subsidies in the province. Golden Arrow is reportedly receiving about R1.1-billion in the 2022/23 financial year. MyCiTi gets R1.3-billion from the Public Transport Network Grant and Go-George receives R191-million.
MyCiTi shut down routes after fuel price increases last year, but the taxi industry did not do so despite not being subsidised.
The reason given for the taxi industry not being subsidised by provincial and national governments is that the industry is not formalised.
Blue Dot disappointment
In late 2020, the Western Cape government initiated the Blue Dot pilot project, the first of its kind in South Africa.
Hailed as a game-changer, the project rewarded drivers by analysing the data from onboard trackers fitted to participating vehicles, monitoring routes and considering feedback from passengers and other members of the public. On-board Wi-Fi allowed passengers to rate drivers and their service.
It was also seen as a way to formalise the minibus taxi industry, enabling it to be subsidised by the government. But the project, which had been seen as a success, ceased operations on 30 November last year because of a lack of funding. DM
Become an Insider
As a rate paying road user am tired in general of the dangerous and regardless behaviour of taxi drivers use of the roads. They are subject to the law like any other road users and it’s about time they realised it and acted accordingly. Tougher laws are required to keep them in line, and any new laws are a result and requirement of their own flagrant and dangerous use of the country’s infrastructure.
Ask people how they feel about taxis driving styles on the hell run every morning on the N1 and N2 .No respect for the law
It is clear that basic facts are in dispute and fundamental information and planning are lacking. For example, who is responsible for ensuring that a vehicle is not defective? Do drivers own their vehicles? If they don’t, what are the consequences for the owner of a defective vehicle? Until there is a proper enquiry into the entire passenger transport industry covering road and rail and enabling coherent planning, chaos and danger will prevail and the city will have precisely the public transport it deserves.
This has absolutely nothing to do with any service you do or dont provide Santaco.
Just obey the law. Duh.
Exactly! Just obey the law.
Also concerning is that so many private drivers are now emulating the driving style of the taxis. The mindset seems to be “If they can do it and get away with it, so can I.” We are slowly descending into anarchy.
Yes – the societal social contract is breaking down.
It’s now all about “me”.
A simple example is the idiots sitting in the fast lane, resulting in other idiots overtaking on the left. Incredibly selfish and dangerous for everyone.
It is another symptom of the complete ANC failure to govern our country in any way approximating the first world.
First world benefits require governance via first world rules. It’s that simple.
What is happening in the W. C has all the hallmarks of a Greek Tragedy.
As the rest of the country slipped inexorably into unmitigated lawlessness post 94, the Western Cape seemed like a beacon of hope with sound administration and basic inter-communal respect.
But The W.C. is a victim of its own success. It was only a matter of time before it too was engulfed in the total disregard for the norms which make societies livable.
Much earlier on it seemed that secession was a viable option. That opportunity has now passed.
“The numbers paint a very clear picture of what we as the taxi industry have been saying all along: these operations are nothing more than a deliberate attempt to destroy the taxi industry in the province with no regard to the impact that this action will have on the communities that we service”
Yah, actually, Mr Hermanus, the picture the numbers paint is of the taxi industry’s flagrant disregard of basic safety of road users and of their own customers. All of the violations for which taxis are taken off the road constitute a danger to other motorists and/or make prosecution difficult or impossible. The same laws apply to everyone; that “non taxis” are impounded less frequently simply means that taxis are worse offenders. You can deny it all you like, but just go stand at any light-controlled intersection anywhere in the peninsula at any time on any day and you will see it’s not victimisation, it’s the rule of law being applied.
What Santaco won’t admit (or maybe see) is that the reason the W Cape is prosecutng more taxi operators than other provinces is that those ANC-run administrations have capitulated to taxis and their intimidation and are allowing dangerous practices that lead to crashes, injuries, and deaths. No-one is above the law, Mr Hermanus.
what would be helpfull is a published list of who owns the taxi’s – especially public officials/ police/ polititians and those with links to these people.
There are always two sides to every story. The legitimate gripes of the taxi industry are drowned out by their actions. From their list of demands there maybe some constructive solutions but they do not seem able, or willing, to contribute to the general pot of solutions, and I might add, costs, but seemingly rather claim entitlement. They can and should be better, and the COCT is now backed into a corner it cannot get out of. This is a test, of how what seems like an insurmountable problem is going to be resolved. The DA is under the spotlight and everyone is watching. As a result they cannot, cannot be seen to lose this. Happily national government is absent, and whatever happens will be credited or debited from the DAs goodwill balance sheet.
Subsidies can only work if there is an auditable ticketing system in place, and we all know why the taxi industry doesn’t want that…
Yes, get them into the tap and pay system of the busses, a cape town oyster (catcher) card“ then can be sure they pay taxes
What? You expect the taxi industry to pay taxes? Preposterous! (Sarcasm).
Oh for goodness sake the rest of SA has to carry their licenses! Taxis are a law unto themselves.
Maybe fines weren’t been paid too
Fines are generally not paid, and sending a sheriff to deliver a summons in Gugulethu, Kayalisha or similar places is a death sentence. Impounding vehicles works, which is why taxi drivers and owners get upset.
Other provinces have capitulated because of the bullying tactics of taxis.
Stay strong COCT
The taxi industry pays a fraction of the taxes they should, as it is a cash business. They are very subsidised.
If the taxi industry felt so strongly about ll this why didn’t they go to court when the by-laws were introduced?
They would probably have been told to ensure their vehicles were roadworthy and properly licensed in which case there wouldn’t be a problem.
Time to take the Taxi Mafia to task by their users.
Is the new traffic by-law just applicable on taxis … or does it just not suit your driving style? Sure it is harsh, but so are driving conditions on our roads. Everyday.
You can also say we are ALL entitled to use the infrastructure to the same degree. Except, many of your members deny car drivers the opportunity to use the infrastructure safely. Therefore you are plain wrong Mandla Hermanus & Zwelinzima Vavi.
The article in some respects just takes statements from Santaco as fact, without comment and without question. (Not that the city or province should not be challenged either)
Eg, in contrast to the statement of fact in the article, the councillor for transport has unequivocally stated that that all impoundments are in terms National Legislation and NOT in terms of the byelaw quoted by SANTACO as responsible for the strike.
Also, for an article on a fast moving situation, no mention is made of the agreement reached on Friday by all roleplayers which was then rejected on the Saturday by SANTACO who came up with a whole new set of demands. Part of the agreement was that taxis impounded for driver infringements (my understanding) would be released on payment of the fine related to the infringement. And so on.
The articles implication that impoundment takes place solely for not carrying licence, number plate infringements sounds simplistic. Let’s hear from CoCT on such impoundments. Un-roadworthy vehicles are non-negotiable!
You guys don’t pay taxes, refuse to formalize or follow any employment laws, cause violence whenever you dont get your way and are responsible for many deaths over the years, yet you demand subsidies. The mind boggles at the sheer madness.
A useful definition of prejudice states that it is an aversive or hostile attitude toward a person who belongs to a group, simply because he belongs to that group, and is therefore presumed to have the objectionable qualities ascribed to that group.
Making such emotive and negative statements, as if they apply to all individual taxi drivers, without exception, is not helpful. It only serves to polarise and continue the context of conflict.
“Making such emotive and negative statements, as if they apply to all individual taxi drivers, without exception, is not helpful. It only serves to polarise and continue the context of conflict.”
While I admit to a little prejudice when it comes to Taxi owners and drivers, clearly I don’t mean every single one is guilty of criminal conduct. However, I stand by my comment, most taxi owners truly do not pay any taxes, and many drivers behave like criminals off road and on road. Many are responsible for accidents and deaths either due to their behavior or their vehicles. Violence does actually flare up almost every time a law that impacts them is being enforced, or their stream of revenue is somehow impacted. It has become so frequent, that generalized statements can be forgiven, at least in my opinionz. Little to no attempt has been made by the taxi owners,their drivers or the ANC government to rectify this situation in the last 20 years or so. These are all facts, nothing to do with emotive statements.
It’s not helpful either chiding commentators that are rightfully aggrieved by this behaviour, nor is it excusing this violent and unlawful behavior. Of course what does help is providing lifts to people which I do all the time, even before this strike. But hey, let’s focus on the commentators, not the actual thugs burning down the busses and killing people, which is exactly what is happening.
I’ll bet that there is not one person, who drives regularly, who hasn’t had trouble with one or more taxi drivers!
Ignoring the protests -which are indefensible – there are some common sense suggestions here
1) operator licenses – there should be no limits on licenses, as long as the conditions are met (valid licenses, road worthy, no outstanding fines on the taxi. Liberalize the business like uber did to meter taxis.
2) create more routes – pretty logical take into account traffic flow and need. Integrate into trains busses
3) where feasible give taxis as dedicated lane in peak times. As long as they drive responsibly it is worth it. The taxis then don’t get to Bob and weave through traffic and need to stick to the passenger loading (right) lane
4) make dedicated taxi load and unload points to stop the random stops, if possible make it put of the road to obstruct traffic less. Taxis then can only stop at these points and not where and when they feel like.
Is this a light at the end of the tunnel, with a bit of compromise some law and order the taxi industry can be a fantastic service.
Why do we refer to this as a “strike”?
This is a clear act of terrorism. Textbook terrorism and should be dealt with accordingly.
Perpetrators should face life in prison.
Minibus taxis are one of the most efficient, affordable and convenient transport options for the public. But there is a big problem with the way drivers are incentivized. Many taxi drivers rent the minibus from the owner, paying a fixed amount for the use of the vehicle. Drivers must earn more than the rental to make any income. So, they need to maximise the number of passengers and the number of trips they can do in a day. Hence, they drive the way they do. To make it safer, the incentive system needs to be changed. The industry should be formalized, drivers employed and given normal benefits that come with employment and paid a salary. Driving behaviour can easily be monitored via smart tracking systems to ensure the system remains efficient and drivers adhere to the rules. This will immediately change the behaviour of taxi drivers on the roads as they no longer need to drive the way they do, simply to make a meager income. To make it workable and keep fares low, the industry will need be incentivized via subsidies similar to other forms of transport. To this end, the industry needs to be formalized.
And this is the tough nut to crack as the industry is run by “bosses” who profit from the way the current system works, and there are many fingers in the pie going all the way up to senior government officials. The unregulated Wild West nature of the industry in its current format means that other forms of transport are also targeted as competitors and hence buses burnt, trains vandalized etc. and the current state we find ourselves in. While the ANC is in power, it is unlikely there will be political will to change the status quo, but that is what is needed to make the whole system safer and ensure more safe transport options can be provided.
This is probably the most reasonable comment of the entire debacle. You hit the nail in the head
Dear Santago, your drivers transport vulnerable passengers, including young children. This is somewhat different to transporting of normal commercial cargo. For that reason you should be held to even higher standards of safety and compliance. Please take a moment to reflect on this. Thank you.
There’s a strong smell of a deep clash of worlds and worldviews between the taxi’s (and what they represent) and the WC government (and what it represents.)
Between the unrestrained chaos as in Gauteng, EC and KZN, and an orderly society.
Simple obey the law, no fines no impounding easy. Maybe when taxi owners pay tax they would be entitled to a bigger say. Small observation.
The problem with the taxis is that they are not a regulated industry, rather a loose association, which means that they can act with impunity. They can blame non registered taxi members for the violence, while sounding holier than holy. The industry must be fully regulated if taxis are ever to become law abiding. The police also have a role to play, which they are not doing by not strictly curbing the actions of the taxi industry and drivers before things get out of hand.
One needs to take into account that the taxi industry is vital in getting workers to the city and back home again, and this is how they make their living – yet their commutes are made increasingly difficult as they need to “compete” on the road with other vehicles. And, the more trips they make, the more revenue they earn. Just like any other business in the world – they want to make a living.
Yet – there is no allowance for them on most of the roads. They are in a way forced to take short cuts and to break the rules of the road in order to get to their destination quicker so that they can return for a new load.
There is no easy solution – the best option for the city would be to have a well functioning public transport system (trams / underground) that is supplemented by trains/taxis/busses. Unfortunately, that will most likely never happen…
So – we need to work together collectively and smarter to forge a better use of the roads for the taxis to operate within, otherwise the road situation will never improve.
Being heavy handed with no alternate solution will get us nowhere. And to all those that complain about how poor the taxis drive – how many of us car pool in the morning or share cars. We have too many cars on the road in general – we need to be collectively smarter in how we use the roads
Hear, hear.
We need more responses that challenge us all to take responsibility to make changes in our own habits and environments that will have a positive impact.
@juan marsal, will you be starting a car pool 😋?
When an engineering or mining company has a death a government department is called in and an investigation happens all while production is halted. The health and safety of the workers is important. If health and safety is not followed the company or mine is closed. Why can’t the same governance be followed in the Taxi industry. The taxi industry are slaughtering their clients daily with no consequences or very little. National government needs to get tougher on the taxi industry like Cape Town. Well done Cape Town
Why is it a problem for the taxi drivers to have their licence with them and number plates attached to the car?
Herman, most of us have at times driven a vehicle and not have driver license on us. easy to happen nowadays with phone is your credit card or take driving duty over from owner for a while. We should have driver license also on phone, but maybe one day. In any event, impounding a vehicle for that is childish.
That number plate thing is a bit technical. There are new rules about how but there are 20 year old cars that still have the old number plates and the old way of attaching them. You could have the old way and this officer decides he impounds your properly licensed and roadworthy vehicle. Again, childish.
You never noticed but your left rear indicator is not working. Towing fees, impound fees until court date. Childish.
The way the rules are written they can impound your car for any modification that is not SABS approved. Fitted VHF atenna? Fitted a roofrack. Fitted a snorkel. Changed from 255/65 tyres to 275/75 tyres. Added LED driving lights even if they are correctly aimed and correctly wired. All of these can come from proper fitment center and the parts are EU and Australia approved, but this traffic officer in his sole discretion, decides to impound.
It now appears from verbatim quotes of city officials that they are using bylaws instead of national laws because then the city gets the revenue instead of national RTIA.
But no, nothing excuses the gangster tactics of the taxi association.
For the dubious (“childish”) examples you cite, what level of Fines have to be paid to secure the immediate release of impounded vehicles (taxis or private cars)?
We live in a lawless country where anything and everything goes, dominated by thugs and it starts from the very top of the rotten and putrid anc government. The taxi industry is one of the main proponents of such lawlessness, thuggery and despicable behaviour. Like the anc and blue light brigade, they think they are above the law and have a huge sense of entitlement and impunity. I have travelled the N2 for over 10 years and I have nothing but utter contempt and revulsion for their murderous, reckless, bullying, aggressive and frankly idiotic antics on the road which endanger ALL motorists. They continually flout the rules of of the road and the law, and are a huge and real danger to other road users and society. Whilst it is not every single taxi, by far the vast majority are guilty of lawlessness. Mr Hermanus – grow up and stop hiding behind bullshit – COCT is not against the industry – we all appreciate that in the absence of decent public transport i.e. rail etc.(brought about by the corrupt and uselss anc government), the taxi industry is critical to the economy. Tell and instill your drivers, including the opaque and unaccountable owners to obey the law!!!! Like every other citizen in this country who has to ensure lawful road behaviour and totally roadworthy vehicles. You are not special – far from! As for the COCT, don’t bend to such lawlessness!
Why is doing the right thing reserved only for some people? Where does this pathetic sense of entitlement come from?
Every motorist knows what taxi drivers do and everybody is sick of it. Why, the moment a law doesn’t suit people does it become oppressive and are they entitled to loot and burn and kill?
They are the oppressors.
Hurting, killing, stealing and breaking is backward and ignorant. It solves nothing and is only leads to disrespect and division. Ruling by fear and getting your way through violence is significant of a fascist mentality that should be eradicated in every part of society and not be tolerated any longer.
Rules are rules and we should all be equal under the law.
I’m pretty sure my view is supported by the majority of law-abiding, tax paying, Cape Town rate paying driver of a licenced, roadworthy vehicle: SANTACO, we do not want you in the Western Cape. What we “demand” (the language you use) is a regulated, law-abiding minibus taxi industry controlled by persons with decent business ethics, rathyer then the bunch of thugs currently in contol. Sadly, this is only likely achievable in an independent Western Cape.
In PE Taxi drivers use the pavement to get to their collection point which in Mount pleasant is the Bus stop which they fill making the bus park in the right turn portion of the road to collect passengers. This then halts traffic until the bus moves. They cut through parking areas to get to the bus stop and do U turns stopping traffic again. They are a law unto themselve and this should be stopped.
Darker forces at play here …politicking.
If the taxi industry behaved a bit better, they might actually have some sympathy from the general public. Given their total disregard for human life and safety, I see no reason why they should be shown any grace in this matter.
Carrying your license and driving a roadworthy vehicle are fundamental laws that apply to every single road user in SA.
If that is a problem for you, then you are the problem, whether you choose to understand it or not.
I have witnessed carnage on the N2 for the last 20 years.
99% of all accidents i came across involved a taxi somehow, always! They are reckless, dangerous and a threat to public safety.
This action is WAY OVERDUE!
Considering my personal experiences: a hit and run by a taxi, being obstructed or inconvenienced by taxis, too many near misses to count and several incidents of attempted intimidation, plus I am not at all unique in this, I would say it’s beyond plain that the taxi industry needs to be brought under control. Their reckless driving and inconsiderate, arrogant use of the roads routinely causes accidents and results in loss of property or worse still, loss of life. The mere fact that they fill a necessary role (and are only too happy to use violence to prevent trains or more busses from functioning, both of which are cheaper) does not entitled the to impunity. The city should not back down.
The Taxi situation is the result of the City of Cape Towns failure to deliver safe and efficient public transport. Public Transport in Cape Town is almost non existent so Taxi’s are an essential service provided by private industry.
Of course its not perfect, but it is a vast improvement on what the city provides. Until such time as Cape Town can provide better infrastructure, a little bit of leeway with Taxi impoundments is in order.
JP Smith’s job amounts to nothing more than a glorified traffic cop and clearly he has a chip on his shoulder. How this glorified traffic cop has been allowed to escalate his bureaucratic agenda to a level where people are dying and South Africa’s GDP is affected is beyond me. Threats that 25 taxi’s will be impounded for any crime committed by anyone is just childish and shows that he does not have the skillset required for his job. This has escalated because third party owners are having their property impounded for driver issues and the Traffic Police are too scared to carry out fine enforcement activities on drivers.
Time for JP Smith to be sent back to the schoolyard so that the big boys resolve this mess and end the deaths. This issue will not be resolved until JP Smith and his attitude to resolution are gone.
Long Live JP, and all strength to his arm!
Which sector of the commuter transport arms do YOU think was responsible for torching commuter trains in the station alongside Cape Town’s central taxi rank? For vandalizing the PRASA rail network and stations into unusability? For torching the officially-approved Golden Arrow and MiCiti buses?
Now, stop calling CoCT officials childish. Maybe JP would seem childish where the Law of the Jungle prevails. But CoCT is not CoJ, or the Eastern Cape.
This by law hasn’t just been introduced for taxis – it applies to ALL drivers and vehicles on the road!
The taxi Associations need to grow up and get a life!
Jane, the by-law is for private Vehicles NOT taxis, they are governed by the National Land Transport Act, just the same as Buses. The By-law enacted by CoCT is a convenient red herring used by SANTACO and the minister of Transport and relates to including private vehicles in the law to impound.
Lazy misleading journalism. How about looking up the national acts and reporting on what is stated in those? Instead of the continuous misdirection to the city bylaw. Do proper research.
The drivers disobey traffic laws in large part because they are so exploited by taxi bosses. These bosses force exorbitant demands on drivers who receive no salary. If they could make a living by driving safely and legally they would. Instead of only punishment, the city should encourage taxi driver unions and humane work conditions for them.
In most countries there are public transport systems that work perfectly. Why isn’t this the case in SA? Even trains have disappeared and we all know what happened to those 😖
The taxis must be impounded, and only realised after payment of a release fee.
They should also charge them R100 per day extra, for that the vehicle is impounded.
After 1 year the vehicle is automatically crushed.
Have taxis been impounded in terms of a new Cape Town by-law as the article states, or as the Mayor and JP Smit have repeatedly said, that any impounding was enforcement of a national law dating back over a decade?
I come back every now and then to see if the first paragraph has been corrected. The by law of the city is for impounding private vehicles for non payment of fines and such things. The public transport industry is governed by the national laws, the same ones used by several other provinces to impound taxis. It seem the journalist is not doing research, and just putting forward the taxi bosses point of view. perhaps she would explain how you would be able to help an industry that has no record of ticket sales, and probably don’t even pay tax. If the taxis are so fiercely competing for fares, perhaps the no of permits should be reduced?
Completely agree with you.
Thank you for painting both sides of the picture. Tired of one sided stories. It’s time for more listening and less shouting. We are quick to assume, quick to judge a whole group without knowing the story. If we refuse to understand we rob ourselves of the opportunity for peace.
“Understanding gives us an ability to have peace” (Truman)
“I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.” (A Lincoln)
The work of peace starts with us. Let’s get to know one another through our stories.