People have already started to leave towns for the festive holiday, and minibus taxi operators at Keetmanshoop are unable to meet the high demand of commuters.

The festive season, traditionally characterised by the increased movement of people travelling to and from their hometowns, has put a significant strain on available minibus taxis.

Due to the high demand this time around, some commuters use other means.

"We are having difficulties every festive season. Since the schools closed down two weeks ago, we have been suffering. We're struggling with transport. It is like we are sending four to five buses every day, but still not enough. It is like people sitting around, sleeping over. It is like a daily struggle in the festive season," said the spokesperson for the Puma Loading Terminal, Zola Mukanga.

Mukanga also rubbished claims that the recent transport fare increase by twenty dollars, from N$250 to N$270 from Keetmanshoop to Windhoek, is illegal. 

"We don't need any application for increments less than 10% or within the 10% range. So for us, when the government told us to increase by 15%, we did not hike our fares. We say it is not good for the customers, and we say, We are going to take the 10%." 

Mukanga says despite the shortage of minibus taxis, business is flourishing during the festive season, adding commuters have no issue with paying the increased transport fare.