DURBAN - The Mangaroo family, owners of one of the biggest bus services operating in KwaZulu-Natal, will be handing over a borehole at the Mvuzane Traditional Authority and as well as 413 hectares of company-owned land to the Zalaba Community.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the family said the mayor of Umlalazi Municipality within the King Cetshwayo District, councillor QT Xulu and KZN MEC for Transport, Peggy Nkonyeni, will be officiating at the commissioning of the borehole and the handing over of the land to the community.
Highlighting some of the operations of their bus services in the province, the family said that it currently operates the subsidised bus service which stretches from Nkandla to Richards Bay, and traverses iSithebe, Mtunzini and Empangeni.
“The company rescued stranded commuters, back in September 2010, when the then operator abandoned the service, all drivers and staff overnight, and the community were without a subsidised bus service for eight months before the Metro Group stepped in and revived the service, to the relief of the communities, many of whom reside in deeply rural areas, and need reasonably priced transport which can transport bulk purchases from neighbouring towns.
“Through the transformation process, the company has empowered the local taxi association and an additional 3 emerging operators, handing over 40% of the companies’ subsidised duties and assisting and mentoring the new operators to acquire buses which they now 100% own and operate.”
On their relationship with communities and traditional leaders, the Mangaroo family stated that their bus services had assisted communities significantly through the years, working closely with traditional leaders and structures, donating the use of buses to civil society groups and facilitating the movement of community members to important meetings and functions.
“The company has donated boreholes to various schools and communities and supported schools by way of donations.
“During the Covid-19 lockdown crisis, food parcels to the value of R3 million were distributed to all 28 wards to assist families, which was televised by 1KZN TV. The company, by design, also draw 95% of their skills, labour and service providers from the area.
“This current donation is a significant milestone in community service for KZN Bus Services and it would be appreciated if the media provide extensive coverage of the function,” read the statement.
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