In South Africa the most common type of taxi is the minibus taxi or midibus taxi which accommodate 9-18 and 19-35 passengers respectively and who operate on a shared rider basis. These taxis operate either by picking clients up along a predetermined route or from fixed taxi ranks. The minibus taxi and midibus taxi industry dominate the South African road public transport landscape and accounts for 65% of current public transport.

Like many African cities, Johannesburg has an informal public transport system in the form of minibus "taxis". These are not taxis in the typical Western sense of the term - they won't give you a lift to your doorstep; rather they are small-scale bus services, often unmarked, operating with neither timetables nor formal stops. Taxis are the cheapest form of transport in Johannesburg, and are the daily transport lifeline of the bulk of the working population. More adventurous travelers will find them an interesting African experience - the closest you may get to mixing with ordinary people.

Minibus taxis are South Africa's cheapest, fastest and most popular form of public transport, but are often old and require nerves of steel. Tourists should, however,  exercise caution when using these "taxis”.

Minibus taxis are probably the best way for adventurous travellers to meet real South Africans, with young and old, fat and thin, rich and poor crammed in. They collect and drop passengers exactly where you want, and are never full - even if you disagree.