MIDDELBURG — An everyday taxi rank in Mhluzi is set to become a film set as local drama series Taxi Affair prepares for its live launch, bringing township stories and Middelburg talent to audiences through social media.
The series was created by Gustav Mhlanga, who says it draws inspiration from the characters and experiences found inside taxis.
“What inspired me is everyday life inside a taxi. Each taxi carries different characters — the scholar, the gogo, the gaatjie, the driver in love — and each has a story to tell. There are always funny, painful and dramatic moments that happen in that 15-minute trip,” Mhlanga says.
He chose the taxi rank as the centre of the production because he believes it reflects everyday township life.
“I decided to centre it at the taxi rank because the rank is our real theatre in the township. There is too much drama, comedy and truth in one space. I wanted to put our own daily lives on screen,” he says.
Mhlanga says taxi ranks are meeting points where people from different backgrounds encounter one another, creating opportunities to tell stories about drama, humour, love and everyday life.
The project also aims to create opportunities for local actors and revive the film sector in Middelburg. Mhlanga says the town has talented performers, but limited productions and development opportunities have caused some to lose interest.
“Taxi Affair will revive that spirit because it gives them a platform again. We are shooting, acting and exposing local talent to the nation through social media. It shows that you don’t have to wait for Johannesburg to come — we can start here at home with what we have,” he says.
The production team is working with limited resources, with funding and equipment among its biggest challenges.
“Our biggest challenges are lacking proper equipment and funding. Running a busy film set with no big company backing us takes a lot of hard work and teamwork,” Mhlanga says.
He is calling on the community to support the production through donations, sharing videos online, helping manage crowds during filming or lending equipment.
The team will not wait for a television deal before taking the series to audiences. Instead, the drama will be streamed for free on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
“Nowadays people live on their phones, watching reels and TikToks. Instead of waiting for people to come to theatre, we are taking arts directly to their phones,” Mhlanga says.
He says the online launch will also help promote Middelburg’s artists and creative sector.
Mhlanga says Taxi Affair is not the first film made in Middelburg, but it is among the productions created by local artists for the community, using their own language and style.
“This is just a starter. This is the beginning of a bigger collaboration of local artists. If the community supports this, more local movies and series will come,” he says.
The live recording and launch will take place on 4 October at Mhluzi Extension 5 Taxi Rank from 10am.
Mhlanga says audiences can expect to see the taxi rank transformed into a film set and meet characters including Sipho, Uncle Papi, Thandi, School Bo, Ma Radebe, Pastor K, Ex-Teacher and Lulu.
“In the next few years, with the dedication I see in the team I am working with at Taxi Affair, I see us climbing from the taxi rank to big screens, to festivals and to national platforms,” he says.
