Vodacom South Africa and SmartOps Fleet have brought together partners from the technology, financial
\nservices, automotive and e-hailing sectors, in a new integrated programme designed to broaden participation
\nin South Africa\u2019s growing e-hailing economy.
\nWith an ambition to introduce up to 55,000 vehicles over the next 9 to 12 months, the programme could
\nsupport up to 110,000 driver opportunities, based on two drivers per vehicle. The initiative also targets a fleet
\nmix of 66% electric vehicles (EVs), supporting growth in South Africa\u2019s e-hailing sector.
\nLaunching during Transport Month, the programme brings vehicle ownership, finance, technology and<\/p>\n
professional fleet management together, creating a pathway for qualifying individuals to participate in the e-
\nhailing economy through vehicle ownership.<\/p>\n
As the programme\u2019s enabling technology and connectivity partner, Vodacom providesthe connectivity and
\nfintech capabilities that support the ecosystem. Fidelity Services Group provides vehicle tracking, dash camera
\nsolutions while the Thiba Ingozi Safety App and physical panic buttons helping to promote safer, more secure
\nand connected operations.
\nSmartOps Fleet management vehicles, drivers, maintenance, insurance, tracking and day-to-day e-hailing
\noperations.
\nThe wider ecosystem includes Nedbank MFC, Motus, Tiger Wheel & Tyre, Tyres & More, vehicle manufacturers
\nRenault and Dongfeng, and Thiba Ingozi, creating a support network that enables programme-supported
\nvehicles to operate on e-hailing platforms such as Uber and Bolt.
\n\u201cThe programme demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations across different sectors combine
\ntheir capabilities around a shared challenge. South Africa\u2019s mobility economy presents an opportunity to
\nconnect more people to economic participation through technology-enabled partnerships. By bringing
\ntogether capabilities across technology and financial services, we are helping to create an ecosystem that
\nsupports broader participation for both vehicle owners and drivers,\u201dsays Sitho Mdlalose, Chief Executive
\nOfficer at Vodacom South Africa.
\nFor individuals looking to participate in the e-hailing economy through vehicle ownership, the operational
\nrequirements can be significant, from sourcing and managing drivers to maintaining vehicles, arranging
\ninsurance, and overseeing daily operations.
\nThe programme is designed to reduce this operational complexity.
\nQualifying individual investors, whether employed or self-employed and earning a minimum gross income of
\nR15,300 per month, as well as institutional investors, can finance an approved vehicle through Nedbank MFC
\nand lease the vehicle to SmartOps Fleet for managed e-hailing operations. Investor onboarding and finance<\/p>\n
C2 General<\/p>\n
applications are completed on the SmartOps Fleet platform. Qualifying investors will be required to pay the
\nfirst instalment, and all subsequent instalments will be paid by SmartOps Fleet.
\nInvestors enter into a lease agreement with SmartOps Fleet that mirrors the approved financing term.
\nSmartOpstakes responsibility for the operational management of the vehicle, including driver management,
\ninsurance, vehicle instalments, maintenance, tracking, and commission to investors. Commission earned by
\ninvestors is calculated based on the vehicle instalment.
\nThe investor will earn up to 40% commission every month, retain ownership of the vehicle and remain
\nresponsible for the underlying vehicle-finance agreement and the first instalment of the vehicle. In line with
\nprogramme requirements, vehicles may be traded in before the end of the original finance term based on
\nmileage, vehicle condition, operational requirements and value preservation.
\n\u201cWhat makes this model different is the ecosystem behind it. By bringing together expertise across finance,
\ntechnology, fleet management, automotive and e-hailing services, we can support the management of a
\nvehicle throughout its e-hailing journey while creating opportunities for both vehicle owners and drivers,\u201d says
\nMahene Benzane, CEO of SmartOps.
\n\u201cTechnology remains central to the programme, helping support vehicle visibility, driver connectivity and
\noperational management. The programme demonstrates how cross-sector collaboration can help broaden
\nparticipation in the future mobility economy while supporting sustainable livelihoods and economic
\nopportunities for young people,\u201d added Peter Malebye, Managing Executive for Fintech at Vodacom South
\nAfrica.
\nThe programme also places a strong emphasis on electric mobility, with EVs targeted to account for 66% of
\nthe planned fleet and support increased adoption within South Africa\u2019s e-hailing sector.
\n\u201cAs South Africa, particularly Gauteng continues to grow, so too must our transport system. We are embracing
\ninnovation, technology and integrated mobility solutions to ensure our transport network keeps pace with the
\nneeds of a modern province. Transport Month is an opportunity to showcase how accessible and sustainable
\nmobility can help improve everyday life for our residents. We commend Vodacom and SmartOps for their
\nleadership as connectivity partners in bringing together stakeholders from the technology, financial services,
\nautomotive and e-hailing sectors through this integrated programme. Partnerships such as these demonstrate
\nthe power of collaboration in addressing some of our country’s most pressing challenges, particularly youth
\nunemployment and economic inclusion. This initiative has the potential to create meaningful job
\nopportunities for young South Africans, expand participation in the growing e-hailing economy, and
\ncontribute to a more inclusive and connected transport ecosystem,\u201d said Benjamin Motitswe, Chief Director for
\nGauteng Provincial Regulatory Entity (GPRE), Gauteng Department of Roads & Transport.
\nBy connecting technology, finance, automotive expertise, e-hailing platforms and professional fleet
\nmanagement within a single ecosystem, the partners aim to support vehicle ownership opportunities, driver
\nlivelihoods and the continued development of safer, smarter and increasingly electric mobility solutions in
\nSouth Africa.<\/p>\n
Interested investors can download the SmartsOps Fleet App by visiting https:\/\/smartopsfleet.com\/investor-
\nprogram\/ to begin the application process.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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