A female Wanatu driver accessing the new e-hailing platform. Picture: Instagram
A groundbreaking e-hailing platform, Wanatu, has made its debut in South Africa, igniting a heated discussion among netizens and raising eyebrows with its unique approach to the transport industry.
Launched in October 2024 and currently servicing Centurion and Pretoria, Wanatu is branded as the first Afrikaans transportation service, aimed at creating jobs and promoting the Afrikaans language within the community.
The app has seen astonishing growth since its launch, sky-rocketing from 10 000 subscribers to a staggering 30 000 in just one month.
Despite its open-access model, allowing users of all language backgrounds to book rides, the platform has garnered significant scrutiny for its policy of hiring only Afrikaans-speaking drivers.
According to the company’s website, this policy is designed to restore dignity and work opportunities for Afrikaans speakers, but it has raised concerns regarding inclusivity in the job market.
@coolstorybru_ Wanatu is a new Afrikaans Uber platform in South Africa 👀🇿🇦 #southafrica #tiktoksouthafrica🇿🇦 ♬ original sound - Cool Story Bru! 🇿🇦
Social media reactions have been highly mixed.
On TikTok, users expressed both support and criticism.
User @thandomabaso477 quipped: “😂😂 interesting choice of drivers we know who the target market is,” while another user, @boikarabelo.n, noted: “Sounds safer than Bolt, Uber and inDrive. I’m in.🥰.”
Positive endorsements, such as those from @rudi.van.wyk, who commended the service as “amazing” and “safe,” stand in contrast to voices like @spookalooks, who celebrated the competition, stating: “I love the introduction of competition in any business area as it keeps prices reasonable for people - instead of monopolies who rip us off ♥️.”
However, the company’s employment practices have not gone unnoticed by legal experts.
In an interview with NewzRoom Africa, Craig Kirchmann, a labour law attorney at Kirchmann Inc, voiced concerns about the potentially exclusionary nature of Wanatu's hiring strategy.
“There may be some noble ambitions and intentions behind this e-hailing service,” Kirchmann commented.
“But we have to be sensitive not to perpetuate discrimination. Making Afrikaans a strict requirement could unjustifiably exclude a significant number of potential drivers and could face legal challenges.”
As South Africa navigates its post-apartheid identity and works towards inclusivity across various platforms, the emergence of Wanatu raises crucial discussions not only about language but also about community, opportunity and the complexities of modern entrepreneurship in a diverse society.