With a 44.5% youth unemployment rate, finding work as a young person in South Africa can feel like an uphill battle. However, a wave of opportunity is surging through the streets: e-hailing companies.
These businesses are revolutionising the way people get around, but more importantly, they're offering a lifeline to young South Africans seeking employment. Unlike traditional jobs with set hours and locations, e-hailing provides a ‘low-barrier to entry’ model, as Vincent Lilane, Business Development Representative at inDrive, explains:
Young people can become their own boss, set their own schedules, and build their income around their lives. This flexibility is a major advantage for young adults who might be juggling studies, childcare, or other commitments.
The impact of e-hailing goes beyond individual drivers. These platforms are also injecting economic stimulus into local communities, particularly in underserved areas. “E-hailing drivers often operate in neighbourhoods that might have previously lacked convenient transportation options,” he says.
This creates new business opportunities and increases overall economic activity. By connecting people to essential services and creating new customer bases, e-hailing is fostering a more vibrant economic landscape in these communities.
Highlighting the exciting possibilities for innovation within the industry, Lilane shares that e-hailing platforms have expanded into new areas of service, offering even more opportunities for youth beyond driving passengers around which include delivering goods, offering errand services, or even exploring entrepreneurial options within the platform itself.
“With constant innovation, these platforms are expanding into new service areas, creating a dynamic ecosystem filled with possibilities. E-hailing isn't just a ride; it's a journey towards a brighter future for South Africa's youth, one where they are not just drivers, but innovators and entrepreneurs at the wheel of their own success,” he concludes.
