[Image: Wanatu / Facebook]
A new e-hailing service to rival Uber in Gauteng has tongues wagging for its Afrikaans-first policy.
Called Wanatu, as in the Afrikaans colloquialism “Waarnatoe” or “Where to” in the Queens English, the new platform promises better quality vehicles and better security – along with an Afrikaans-speaking driver.
The service boasts that it owns all of its 50 branded Toyota Corolla Cross hybrid vehicles, which are fitted with a dashcam and inward-facing camera, GPS tracking device, a two-way radio system, and a panic button linked to an armed response service.
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A further departure from Bolt and Uber’s controversial business model is that all the drivers are directly employed by the company, unlike other e-hailing services that employ ‘independent contractors’.
According to Mybroadband drivers are strictly vetted, including checking and verifying their criminal records.
The drivers must also pass a training course in defensive and economical driving, conflict management, emergency procedures, and tech education. Many of the current drivers hold tertiary qualifications and have valuable work experience but were recently retrenched due to a constrained job market.
Wanatu chief executive Judith van der Walt recently told Rapport that the service employed 85 drivers from 1,100 applicants. Drivers are also able to choose ‘shifts’ and users can request specific drivers, which allows for the drivers to build a good customer base.
About 35% of the service’s passengers were schoolchildren, while elderly people who could no longer drive were also among the service’s most frequent users.
Van der Walt goes on to say that the safety of their passengers is a non-negotiable priority and Wanatu operates a control room that tracks every driver on their route.
So far, the service has been met with great reviews, and despite the added security features, their prices are quite competitive compared to the other services available in this market.
While the app is Afrikaans-based, drivers from other languages are welcome to apply – as long as they can speak Afrikaans.
The service is currently only available in Centurion and Pretoria, but if the response remains as positive as it has been, Wanatu will look into expanding to other areas.
[Source: Mybroadband]
