Story by Farai Gwaze
ZIMBABWEANS in South Africa continue to play a significant socio-economic role through remittances sent back home.
This article explores how e-hailing services have become an essential part of life for many Zimbabweans in the neighboring country focusing on Patrick, who resides in Cape Town, and is earning a decent living through e-hailing services.
“I use three apps, Uber, Bolt, and Indrive but I mainly use Uber because it has card paying trips. Most of these payments are electronic transfers that come in after seven days and on every Tuesday. With Indrive I mainly use it when I need cash for fuel because it is a cash payment platform. Bolt also has card payments but people who use Bolt normally come from places that are not safe, hence why I prefer Uber.”
While the e-hailing service provides Patrick with a means to support his loved ones back home, it also presents him with numerous challenges.
“This job is all right, especially as someone trying to take care of his family back home because they will be looking to you for support. The work is fine, the service is ok, and if you put in enough hours it’s good money.
“It is better than working under a manager who supervises you. However, we meet up with a lot of challenges like traffic cops asking for e-hailing permits, and as a Zimbabwean getting those permits has its challenges. Then there is the challenge of criminals, so you have to be very aware of your surroundings,” he said.
Patrick hopes to one day grow his e-hailing business and establish himself back home.
“My hope is that one day I can grow this business and bring it to Zimbabwe and have an e-hailing service in the country of my birth. To Zimbabweans, I say e-hailing services are not bad it is a good job and pays well and you can succeed by doing it.”
Despite the challenges that Patrick faces, he remains optimistic about the future along with the prospects of growing his enterprise in the country of his birth.
