The taxi that won't die

Though it was discontinued more than 20 years ago, the Toyota Cressida lives on in Cape Town as a bruised and battered taxi. I ts longevity has earned it admiration and a nickname - cockroach.

At the Nyanga taxi rank, a few men gather around a converted shipping container that has been painted green and emblazoned with the name of the Kikhi-Murray taxi association.

Its fleet consists mainly of Cressidas - many of which are operated without permits.

Since 1977, when the model was introduced, and 1993, when it was replaced with the Camry, Toyota sold 197527 Cressidas across three model ranges in South Africa.

A taxi operator who would only identify himself as David said Cressidas are cheap to maintain.

"Parts are cheap, and our passengers prefer them because they're much more comfortable than minibus taxis," said David.

He bought his first Cressida in 1997 and it's still on the road even though it had more than 500000km on the odometer when he bought it.

"Cressidas can't die. The only time it dies is when the money runs out," said David, adding that a typical service - such as changing the oil spark plugs and filters - never costs more than R600.

Gugulethu taxi driver Asanda Boyce's " cockroach" is a mish-mash of different-coloured body panels and dents.

"I've been driving these Cressidas for five years. People call them cockroaches because they don't die," said Boyce.

Nyanga taxi owner, Siyabonga, said: "There are still 'fresh' Cressidas in Durban and Joburg, and one can cost anything from R25000 to R60000."

Sihle Mabusela, who has been driving Cressidas for the past 12 years, admitted that many of the vehicles do not have the necessary legal permits.

"Our drivers are often arrested, and vehicles are impounded by the city council.

"I just hope that the national government can help us," said Mabusela.

Western Cape transport MEC Robin Carlisle said the taxi routes on which the Cressidas operate are clogged by too much competition - and for that reason permits were being declined.

"If you overtrade, no one can make a living and that's when you get violence," said Carlisle.

Clive Lawrence has been a car salesman for 50 years, and for 27 of those years he has sold Toyotas.

He said the Cressida's durability and reliability makes it a popular choice as a taxi.

"It doesn't fall apart like the other cars."