Rudolf Gaiseb

Elfride Kuhlmann, one of the few female taxi drivers in Windhoek, is urging more women to join the male-dominated industry, highlighting that it is profitable.

Kuhlmann (52) acknowledges that female taxi drivers are rare, and passengers are usually shocked to see a woman behind the wheel, but it also brings a sense of comfort and safety to customers. 

She strongly believes women are more careful drivers than men.

“More women should join the industry. It will change the perception and norms about women in the taxi industry. This industry has money. However, without putting in the extra work, the odds of making a profit are rare. It will do well if more ladies join,” she said in a recent interview with New Era.

When asked what inspired her to start her own business, Kuhlmann emphasised without hesitation that “it is a good money-making business.

“I was working as a caretaker before I started this transportation business in 2016. I have been doing this to take care of my three sons,” she stated.

Like many, she used to take taxis to and from work.

“The moment the taxi fare was increased to N$10, I decided I would not pay N$10 for a taxi. I then started riding a bike to work. I secured a loan from the bank, and added to my savings. I finally bought a car,” she narrated.

She now wakes up as early as 04h30 every day to eat breakfast, and get ready for work, which starts at 06h00.

She hails from the south, and came to Windhoek in the early 2000s to look for work.

She did not finish school because she fell pregnant while in grade nine, and never returned to school.

She said she only compliments male taxi drivers for working hard for their families, but they do not intimidate her in any way.

Besides offering town driving services and car-for-hire services, she plans to buy more cars, turn them into taxis, and recruit only women to drive for her. 

– rrgaiseb@gmail.com