A new community-driven initiative, spearheaded by ride-hailing platform inDrive in collaboration with the grassroots organization goGOGOgo, is set to bridge the digital and mobility gap in South Africa. The projects initial phase focuses on empowering older women, affectionately known as gogos, from Alexandra and surrounding areas by providing them with crucial digital and mobility literacy skills to navigate their daily lives more effectively.
The inaugural event, held at Safe-Hub Alexandra on July 29, 2025, offered gogos a practical, hands-on learning experience. They were taught essential skills ranging from navigating smartphones to understanding the basics of ride-hailing through the inDrive app, many of these being entirely new to them. This training addresses a critical societal need, considering that approximately four million children in South Africa are raised by their grandmothers, often relying solely on a single state grant. Equipping these gogos with such tools is vital for their independence and safety.
This initiative directly tackles the prevalent issues of transport and technology exclusion faced by older generations in South Africa. Statistics from Stats SA reveal that only 44.3 of South Africans aged 60 and above have internet access, highlighting a significant digital divide, particularly for older women. Mobility presents another considerable hurdle, as public transport can often be unsafe, inaccessible, or unreliable for older individuals. This leaves many gogos isolated and dependent on others for essential errands like grocery shopping, medical appointments, or collecting social grants.
inDrives unique peer-to-peer model, which enables riders and drivers to negotiate fares and choose preferred vehicles and drivers, offers a flexible and user-friendly option for those new to ride-hailing or who prefer direct interaction. At the event, each gogo received personalized support from a trained inDrive driver, with Gogo Champions on hand to guide them through downloading the app, practicing demo rides, and understanding safety protocols during travel. Additionally, the gogos received starter kits that included smartphones for some, branded blankets, and handmade bags created by other gogos as part of local income-generating projects supported by inDrive. These kits also contained comfort items to encourage their continued engagement with technology and transport services.
