REGGAE musician Maqhawe Ngcobo, who is also a truck driver, is fighting for truck drivers through music. The 56-year-old and trucker from Mandeni, KZN, said truck drivers are the backbone of South Africa's economy, but they're disrespected and often victimized.
He said due to many different struggles in the trucking industry, he decided to quit in 2023. Maqhawe, who has been in the music industry since 1998 and a truck driver since 1991, has released his new single, 'TRUCKER MAN". He told Daily Sun his song reveals truckers' day-to-day struggles and raises awareness about the abuse in the sector.
“Truck drivers wake up early to deliver and sleep late. They deliver almost everything used in this country, but they're disrespected and are always victims. Many of them don’t have pay slips and benefits. If there's a strike, residents complaining about whatever, the first victim will be a truck driver because they can forcibly take the truck and block the road with it or burn it. They can also loot it, take the diesel or steal tyres. When you report that to your boss, you'll be the first suspect,” Maqhawe said.
Maqhawe said he continues with music in an attempt to help South African drivers in the struggle. He and other truck drivers have formed and registered a forum called United Truck Drivers of South Africa (UTDSA) to try and highlight truck drivers' struggles.
He has been nominated twice at the South African Traditional Music Achievements Awards (Satmas) but hasn't won yet. Since he started releasing albums in 1998 with his debut titled, I Believe, Maqhawe has released four albums to date. In 2017, he was nominated in the Best Reggae category for his album Our Prophet, which was meant to honour the late reggae music king, Lucky Dube. In 2019, he was also nominated in the Best Reggae category for his album Criminal. He hopes one day he'll scoop awards.
