At the corner of Rokara Road and Khalsa Road in Nasinu, there is a signboard that says “Mazada Taxi and Tours”. This is the base for a group of persistent drivers who have successfully launched their taxis and tours business in December 2024. Their journey though did not start in 2024. It started 10 years ago, long before COVID 19, as a group of like-minded drivers who wanted to bring to life the dream of owning their own vehicles.
Led by Samuela Taivesi, a member of the Mataqali Nawavatu from Kalabu Village, and one of the company’s directors, the group spent 10 years diligently saving their respective earnings and working closely with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to secure vehicle permits.
Their objective: For each member of the group to have their own vehicle with their own taxi permits.
For years, they worked tirelessly behind the wheel, driving taxis that belonged to others. Each day brought just enough to make ends meet, but never enough to thrive. In 2024, after years of persistence and patience, LTA finally approved 18 LH permits for them.
Though not LT permits, the 18 LH approvals were a breakthrough made possible by transport contracts with three major companies. With the permits at hand, their next step was equally ambitious – acquiring 18 new vehicles to operationalize their new permits.
That is where Merchant Finance came in. Through our Vanua Finance service, the group received 100% financing to purchase their vehicles. Vanua Finance also helped source 18 vehicles from a single dealership at an unbeatable price of $25,000 each, saving the team thousands in potential costs.
A dream that started 10 years ago is now a reality.
“Sa mani soli mai na veivuke mai vei Merchant Finance me keitou cicivaka kina na bisinisi qo, ko sa mani tauri mai kina e 18 na motoka. Na gauna qo, keitou marau taka vaka levu na Mazada Taxi and Tours ni cici tiko qo e tini ka walu na motoka vou”, shared Mr. Taivesi
English Translation – “We received financing from Merchant Finance to run this business, where we were able to purchase 18 vehicles. At this time, we are so happy that Mazada Taxi and Tours is operational with 18 completely new vehicles”.
Khalsa Road is a densely populated part of Nasinu and is an access point to Tacirua East, Tacirua Heights, Kinoya, Naveiwakau, Valelevu, Tacirua and Sakoca. Public transportation remains a challenge for the people living in these areas and the establishment of Mazada Taxi and Tours goes a long way to addressing the transportation needs of the community.
They are now approaching almost 1 year of operation and business is booming. Their loan repayments are in advance, their insurance is up to date, and they have sufficient funds saved for further activities. While this is good to see for an iTaukei-owned business, the major impact has been on the members who are now driving with their own vehicles. Mr. Taivesi shared the impact to his own family, and this is replicated in similar fashion across the other group members.
“O au a tu va na koro tu. O au qai gole ga mai Suva, qai dua a mai talanoa vei au baleta na bisinisi qo. O au a donu me takoso tale i Australia, au sa mani vakadaroya sara noqu lako ni au rogoca baleta na bisinisi qo. Tini na yabaki keitou curuma tu na dredre, ia au a vakabauta tiko ni dua na gauna na kacabote tale kina, ko sa mai tekivu tu qo”, said Mr Taraiyasi Vuetanasau, a driver of Mazada Taxi and Tours.
English translation – “I was staying in the village, when, during one of my trips to Suva, a friend told me about this business (Mazada Taxi and Tours). At the time, I was preparing to travel to Australia for my second visit, but I decided not to go and joined this business instead. For 10 years, we struggled to get this business up and running but I believed in it, and its vision. I knew that one day, the business would grow, and now we can see that happening”.
The name Masada comes from the biblical story of Masada in Israel, and their motto is “Masada shall never fall again”. The 18 drivers use this motto to incite courage, hard work and discipline in their new journey as independent vehicle owners. Their dream does not end here as they have plans to expand their fleet and secure a bigger area for their base. A dream has been realized, and they will need the Masada spirit to keep that dream alive and take Masada Taxi and Tours to new heights.
