A Father’s Love Turns Belville Taxi Tales into Stories for His Son

Photo Credit: University of the Western Cape via Facebook

When Dr Jacob Cloete’s son took up drama in high school, he realised his boy would need stories for inspiration – so he wrote a few! Putting pen to paper, the devoted dad turned everyday taxi-ride events into a heartfelt collection of stories filled with humour, humanity and the vibrant spirit of South Africa that so many of us can relate to.

Western Cape, South Africa (10 July 2026) – When Dr Jacob Cloete’s son started high school in 2025 and decided to take up drama, Jacob soon realised his son would need stories to inspire his performances in the subject. So, Jacob wrote some!

The dedicated dad, a political scientist from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), put pen to paper and began writing stories his son, family and community could relate to. These tales were inspired by the vibrant, everyday theatrics and human encounters that unfold in taxis – an everyday part of life for countless South Africans, offering not only transport from one point to another, but also the occasional dose of free comedic or dramatic entertainment.

While conversations overheard on these rides often touch on unemployment, politics, education, gangsterism and service delivery failures, Jacob’s narrative is anything but bleak. As someone whose work usually delves deeply into governance and democracy, he managed to infuse humour into the chaos in his writing – creatively reminding readers that laughter can still thrive, even in the most challenging circumstances.

The stories took on a life of their own, and it wasn’t long before Jacob had compiled an entire book titled Stories in a Bellville Taxi.

Published just last month, the book is available in English and Afrikaans, and draws inspiration from Jacob’s daily commute between Tyger Falls and Bellville South.

For him, there is nothing more authentic than taking public transport to and from work every day. He wanted to share this experience with readers and fellow commuters, while also opening his son’s world to a melting pot of stories shaped by the people, places and realities that make South Africa such a diverse and vibrant nation.

In doing so, Jacob has created something deeply meaningful and special for his son: a gift rooted in love, creativity and the richness of South African culture. Through these written stories, he not only supports his child’s passion for drama, but also pours the colour, humour and humanity of South Africa into words that can inspire far beyond their own family.