eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda launched the initiative at the Old Drive-In Site on 2 June. Photo: eThekwini Municipality
eThekwini Municipality getting the youth on the move with Scooter initiative
The initiative was started last year by the eThekwini Municipality and has restored hope to 27 young people.
eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda launched the initiative at the Old Drive-In Site on 2 June. Photo: eThekwini Municipality
To create employment opportunities for young people in the city, the eThekwini Municipality has launched the Scooter Empowerment Initiative.
The launch took place on Thursday at Sandile Thusi and Battery Beach roads.
INITIATIVE TO ADDRESS YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT
eThekwini Mayor Councillor Mxolisi Kaunda launched the initiative at the Old Drive-In Site on 2 June, in partnership with the City’s Business Support, Tourism, Markets and Agri-Business Unit and private sector partners.
The initiative trains youth to drive scooters at no cost and facilitates their access to the market. The scooters are provided at a subsidised rate.
“We are delighted to launch this important initiative during Youth Month. So far, the programme has trained and facilitated access to the market for 200 young people who are currently working,”
said Mayor Kaunda.
He further said that in the next six months, the initiative anticipates increasing the number of beneficiaries to 500.
The youth empowerment and development programme was implemented in partnership with Lularides, Uber Eats, Catalyx and Vodacom.
LOCAL YOUTH TO BENEFIT FROM DELIVERY OPPORTUNITIES
During the launch, the eight top achievers of the programme were awarded smartphone. The phones have an app that enables them to sell airtime, electricity etc.
Lindokuhle Shobede, even won a laptop for being the top seller as his sales have soared since he received his scooter.
Mayor Kaunda said the initiative started last year and has restored hope to 27 young people who were housed at the Safer Cities shelters and joined the programme in March.
Furthermore, the initiative also seeks to ensure local youth benefit from delivery opportunities in the fast-growing e-commerce sector.
Martin Malindi, who used to live at a shelter in the City, applauded eThekwini Municipality for being inclusive of homeless people.
“All we ever wanted was a second chance in life and I got it through the though Scooter Empowerment Initiative programme. Since joining the programme, I haven’t looked back.”
said Malindi.
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