Page 29 - Bophelo - Edition Two | March 2025

Rising Temperatures,

Rising Risks:

Safeguarding Health in South Africa’s

Minibus Taxi Rides

A new study by the South African Medical Research • How do these indoor temperatures compare with Passenger Perceptions collaboration, research, and outreach in tackling this
Council’s (SAMRC) Climate Change and Health Research the outdoor environment? issue reflects the organisation’s goal of creating a safer,
Programme has turned the spotlight on the risks of heat Another branch of the SAMRC’s work also recently healthier environment for all.
exposure in a surprising but essential setting: the minibus The study’s findings were alarming: temperatures inside examined heat health perceptions in the minibus
taxi sector. minibus taxis reached as high as 39°C. For drivers, who taxi sector within Tshwane. This study, conducted in
spend more than 11 hours a day in these vehicles, this partnership with the City of Tshwane (CoT) and the
As temperatures steadily rise worldwide, the impact extreme heat poses a daily health risk. For passengers, it Tshwane Taxi Industry (TTI), revealed valuable insights
on vulnerable populations becomes more severe. For is also a serious concern. Professor Caradee Wright, Head into how passengers perceive and cope with heat-related
people like pregnant women, young children, the elderly, of the SAMRC Climate Change and Health Programme, discomfort. Led by Professor Wright and a team of SAMRC
and those with disabilities, heat exposure isn’t just emphasised the gravity of the situation. “More than researchers, the study collected responses detailing the
uncomfortable, it’s a threat to their health. Yet, many lack 16 million South Africans rely on minibus taxis as their frequent experiences of headaches, dizziness, sweating,
access to crucial resources that could protect them from primary mode of transport. This high demand, coupled and confusion among passengers. The findings will soon
dangers like dehydration, exhaustion, and heat stroke with a lack of shade and access to drinking water at taxi be published in the South African Journal of Science.
while using minibus taxis and this research reveals that ranks, calls for immediate intervention.”
both drivers and passengers in minibus taxis are facing Funded by the National Research Foundation and the
dangerous heat levels. Solutions to Combat Dangerous Heat SAMRC, the study, titled “Assessing Heat-Related Health
Perceptions in the Minibus Taxi Industry in Tshwane”
Titled “Heat Exposure and Health Risks in the Minibus The SAMRC study didn’t stop at highlighting the problem, highlights the need for quick and effective adaptations to
Taxi Sector,” the study explores just how significant this it also outlined actionable solutions to alleviate the protect public health in the face of rising temperatures.
issue has become for one of South Africa’s most widely heat burden on minibus taxi users. The team proposed The SAMRC acknowledges the invaluable support of
used transportation systems. Collaborating with partners repositioning taxi engines to reduce heat within the numerous partners, including the Castle Gate Mall,
like the National Treasury Cities Support Programme, the cabin, darkening or tinting windows to minimise sunlight, which is crucial for moving forward with solutions that
Swiss State Secretariat of Economic Affairs, the World and strategically installing fans to improve airflow. The safeguard millions of South Africans relying on minibus
Bank’s City Resilience Programme, and a minibus taxi research group plans to expand this study with a larger taxis each day.
association, the SAMRC aimed to find answers to three sample size in Johannesburg and Nairobi, and more
essential questions: public awareness through materials like posters and With South Africa’s scorching summers and the effects
• Are drivers and passengers in minibus taxis exposed flyers, encouraging stakeholders across the sector to of climate change intensifying, heat-related health issues
to extreme heat? engage in this pressing issue. in the transport sector are likely to escalate without
• What specific heat conditions do they experience meaningful intervention. The SAMRC’s commitment to
within the vehicles?

26 THE SOUTH AFRICAN MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL THE COMMUNITY ISSUE 27