Ester Lebeko is a beacon of professionalism, kindness, and dedication, navigating the bustling streets of the City of Johannesburg along Metrobus Route 417. Ester’s job as a Metrobus driver not only keeps the wheels of public transportation turning but also brings joy and positivity to everyone she encounters along the way.
“I take my job very seriously because I am responsible for transporting people to and from their destinations daily. I am part of the reason people arrive safely because I follow the rules of the road,” says Ester.
She wakes up at 03:30am to get ready to make her way from her home in Kagiso to the Roodepoort depot to start her day. She rocks a blue-on-blue ensemble, proudly wearing her light blue formal shirt, matched with navy blue formal pants complete with the Metrobus logo.
Ester arrives at the depot by 05:30am with her first trip starting at 05:50am. Her route 417 covers Davidsonville to Gandhi Square. She has a few pick-ups along the way in Auckland Park and Braamfontein before she reaches her destination before 7:30am.
She then heads back to the depot to park the bus until 3pm for her second and final trip. She arrives in Roodepoort by 9am to catch up on other things before her next shift.
“I have a calm and relaxing route as a driver. The scenery is great, and I especially love the Fleurhof suburb. I enjoy driving in summer but definitely not on rainy days,” she explains.
Ester says that her favourite part of her job is getting to know the regular commuters who have become comfortable enough to share stories with her daily. She knows many by name and takes the time to chat with them, brightening their day with her cheerfulness. She particularly enjoys Thursdays and Fridays because a few ladies have started a prayer circle on the bus on those days.
Ester is a firm believer that God sends everyone on different journeys to touch people’s lives and she touches people by encouraging them with a warm welcome on the bus and an on-time transport system that is reliable and safe.
She reminisces about the day she started as a bus driver 13 years ago. “I have never felt like this job was not for me. Since the first day, I knew that operating a bus more than 10 times my size was meant for me.”
Ester departs for her final trip to Ghandi Square and ensure she leave by 16:20 to arrive back in Roodepoort by 18:00pm as she respects her passangers’ time. Once she has parked the bus for the day, Ester drives home to her husband and three children, who undoubtedly think she’s a superhero in her own right.
“I appreciate my family and what they think of me. I am a superhero. After all, I’m a mom, an employee, a student, a wife, and of course a multitasker,” says Ester proudly.
Written by Sascha-Lee Joseph
18/10/2024