Johannesburg, South Africa — September 2025
South Africa faces a youth unemployment crisis of historic proportions. According to the Quarterly Labour Force Survey, 58.7% of young people aged 18 to 35 remain jobless, while over 9.2 million citizens are not in education, employment, or training. Behind these stark figures are stories of untapped talent, families searching for security, and communities constrained by limited opportunities.
In this context, two major players — Uber South Africa and the Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator — have joined forces to reimagine the meaning of work for the nation’s youth. Their partnership highlights a critical truth: the future of employment in South Africa cannot rely on traditional jobs alone.
Beyond Traditional Employment: Redefining Work
For decades, employment has been equated with formal, full-time positions. Yet in an economy unable to create jobs at the scale required, this narrow definition risks locking millions out of participation. The digital economy offers an alternative. Already, an estimated 3.9 million South Africans earn through digital platforms, whether as a primary income, side hustle, or transitional opportunity.
Uber’s Economic Impact Report underscores this potential: since 2013, more than 100,000 South Africans have earned through the platform, with 72% reporting it was their first form of economic activity. Flexibility, autonomy, and entrepreneurial growth feature prominently in driver testimonials — from setting personal targets to gaining independence and even scaling small businesses through digital delivery solutions.
Entrepreneurs like Thabang Calvin, whose Mofine Foods in Olievenhoutbosch grew by integrating delivery, illustrate how digital tools amplify local enterprise. Similarly, the Smart Kitchen Co. scaled from one oven to 23 dark kitchens nationwide, leveraging online demand to drive expansion without traditional overhead costs.
These examples affirm that the digital economy is not a distant aspiration but a present-day driver of inclusion, lowering barriers and enabling meaningful participation in economic life.
The Uber-Harambee Partnership
Recognising the urgency, Uber and Harambee have launched a comprehensive initiative aimed at dismantling key barriers to youth participation. The partnership will:
- Provide 100,000 free rides to job-seekers attending interviews.
- Support 10,000 youth in accessing earning opportunities via Uber’s platform.
- Assist 5,000 young people in obtaining driver’s licenses.
- Train an additional 5,000 youth through partner programmes.
- Empower 1,000 small businesses to expand into the digital economy.
The initiative was formally endorsed by Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Ntuthuko Mbongiseni Jomo Sibiya, who noted:
“This is the kind of partnership government is calling for — moving from pilots to platforms, from isolated events to sustainable ecosystems. Together, we must build a future where youth are central to South Africa’s renewal.”
Uber Sub-Saharan Africa’s General Manager, Deepesh Thomas, added:
“Work cannot be defined only by formal jobs. The digital economy already creates meaningful opportunities. This partnership is about scaling access and proving that the private sector can lead change.”
Harambee CEO, Kasthuri Soni, emphasised the role of collaboration in unlocking potential:
“Young South Africans are resourceful and ambitious. They need pathways to learning and earning. By removing barriers like transport, we can help them step into economic participation at scale.”
The Way Forward
The World Bank projects that South Africa’s digital economy could add R95 billion to GDP by 2035, underscoring its transformative potential. Yet, unlocking this growth requires coordinated action across government, private sector, and civil society.
The Uber-Harambee partnership is more than a pilot — it is a model for systemic change. By reframing work, lowering entry barriers, and leveraging digital platforms, the initiative presents a vision of inclusive growth that could reshape South Africa’s employment landscape for generations.
The challenge of youth unemployment is undeniable. But so is the opportunity. With innovative collaborations such as this, South Africa has a chance not only to reimagine the future of work but to ensure that millions of young people are empowered to build it.
📌 About Uber South Africa
Founded in 2010, Uber has transformed mobility by connecting people, food, and goods through digital platforms. Operating in over 60 cities across Sub-Saharan Africa, including South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, and Ivory Coast, Uber continues to expand access to flexible earning opportunities while reshaping how cities move.
📌 About Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
Harambee is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to breaking barriers to youth employment. Operating SA Youth, South Africa’s largest free recruitment platform with nearly 5 million work seekers and over 2,500 employer partners, Harambee forms part of the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention.
