Safer, more reliable mobility is key to growing South Africa’s economy
Cape Town, South Africa. August 6, 2021. Western Cape Premier Alan Winde was present to welcome DiDi to the country at a recent media event, where he highlighted the platform’s unique safety features and what its arrival in Cape Town means for economic development, safety and mobility.
“In our province and South Africa at large, we’re always focused on three fundamental factors, namely safety, job creation and dignity. And DiDi looks to contribute in all of those areas,” he says.
With more than 550 million users and 35 million daily trips globally, DiDi is the world’s largest e-hailing platform. Ken Liu, SA Launch Lead for DiDi, announced that after launching in Cape Town earlier this year, the mobility platform already hosts thousands of registered drivers. He says that their upcoming plans to expand services to Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban in the coming months will result in creating opportunities for many more local entrepreneurs.
Carina Smith-Allin, Head of PR and Communications for Southern Africa, says, “In a country like South Africa, where unemployment rates and safety are major concerns, a platform like DiDi is not only much needed but highly valuable. The DiDi logo, a D turned on its side, represents a smile, inspires hope and happiness, which in itself says a lot about our brand and its journey”.
Alan Winde continues, “While I believe in a competitive environment, I also believe that one of the key areas the government needs to focus on in this region is safe and reliable public transport for all. We want to grow our economy, attract investment opportunities and create more jobs. And to do all this, we need proper and efficient mobility.”
Innovative safety features
In addition to offering exciting economic opportunities to drivers and affordable mobility to riders, DiDi prides itself on its innovative safety features, some of which are a first in South Africa.
Adaptable, smart geofencing allows drivers to opt-out of servicing unsafe areas, while the platform’s recording monitor checks for any unusual activity during trips, including a change in routes or accidents. There are also linked SOS buttons for riders and an option to unmatch with a driver or rider. Drivers also have complete control of which areas they service based on safety issues and rider availability.
South Africa is the 15th country to welcome DiDi, alongside countries like Japan, Australia and Russia.
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