Ernesto Matavel: ensuring safety and happiness on AKA Maputo buses

The sun is creeping its way out from the horizon, birds are beginning to chirp and there is a slight coolness in the air. It is 6 am in Maputo, Mozambique and it is the time Ernesto Matavel begins his daily route as a bus driver for the Aga Khan Academy Maputo. 

“When the day begins I feel happy,” Ernesto said. “It is a fresh start to a new day.” 

Originally from the Gaza province of Mozambique, Ernesto began working at AKA Maputo in 2014 when a friend of his suggested he apply for the vacant bus driver position. Seven years later and Ernesto has seen the evolution of the Academy as it continues to expand and develop. However, for Ernesto, the Academy is not the only thing that has been growing over the years. 

“When I started at the Academy there was only a small building and now it has grown so much. Having said that, I have also gotten the opportunity to grow personally and professionally.” 

As a bus driver for the Academy, Ernesto recognises the importance of his role in keeping the students under his care safe and secure. He ensures all students wear their seatbelts when they are on the bus, he is equipped with a first aid kit on the bus, and he is accompanied by a teaching assistant and security guard on the bus who are both certified in delivering first aid. Parents also feel comfortable and reassured with Ernesto transporting their children as there is a tracking system that enables the parents to track the bus, a phone on the bus they can contact in case of anything, and air conditioning on the bus. 

“My kids have been going to AKA Maputo for almost five years,” said a parent of a Grade 8 and Grade 9 student. “If you live in Maputo, do not let the location of the school, which is in Matola, discourage you from sending your children to the Academy. The school bus my kids take is safe and secure and, along with Ernesto, there is a security guard and a teacher. My kids love it and there are rarely any traffic delays.” 

When the Academy closed due to the pandemic, Ernesto said he felt a bit incomplete. 

“I didn’t like it and I was upset. For someone that is used to working and then suddenly you stay at home, you don’t feel that weight that you put in working.” 

However, when the Academy reopened for in-person learning this past November, Ernesto felt confident of the safety measures put in place to ensure he, the students and the teachers would remain protected from the virus. 

“For an establishment as big as the Academy, it is necessary to put in place some rigorous safety protocols. The Academy has done a fantastic job not only in safeguarding the students, but also the staff members like myself.” 

To keep everyone safe on the bus, the temperature of each individual is checked before getting on the bus, masks are required to be worn at all times while on the bus, designated and socially distanced seats are assigned to the students, and hand sanitiser and foot mats are have been put in place for students to disinfect themselves before entering the bus. 

“My journey from home to the Academy has been very comfortable so far,” Grade 8 student Adenike Conceição said. “The bus service provided by the Academy ensures that we are all safe and physically distanced on the bus.” 

By 2.50 pm Ernesto ends his day as a bus driver for the Academy and anticipates for the next day. Although not everything is the same as it was prior to the pandemic, Ernesto is happy to be back with the AKA Maputo community, which he calls his group of friends.  

“I like the work I do because I am able to do it with no problem. The community at the Academy makes me feel like we are all friends.”