Wake Up and Work: Uber Eats drivers urge South Africans to seize every job opportunity.
Protesters say no job is too small as they encourage unemployed youth to earn a living instead of waiting for employment.
The roar of scooter engines, songs of protest and chants demanding jobs filled the streets of Katlehong and Thokoza on Tuesday, 30 June, as Uber Eats drivers joined a nationwide march calling for stronger action on illegal immigration and unemployment.
While many protesters raised concerns about undocumented foreign nationals allegedly competing for jobs, several drivers used the march to deliver another message they believe is just as important: South Africans must be willing to work, regardless of the type of job available.
The procession, which started in Katlehong and then moved through Thokoza, saw hundreds of demonstrators carrying placards and calling for greater employment opportunities for South African citizens.
Scooter driver Owethu Mchabe said many delivery riders from the Kathorus area felt it was time for South Africans to take ownership of opportunities in the growing delivery industry.
“We as scooter drivers operating in and around Kathorus support this march because we believe undocumented foreigners have taken jobs that should benefit South Africans,” he said.
Owethu also claimed that delivery platforms regularly receive complaints from customers about orders that allegedly never reach their destinations.
“We also receive complaints from clients that some of the orders don’t reach them,” he said.
However, he said the bigger issue was encouraging unemployed South Africans to become economically active.
“We should be the ones delivering food and groceries to our communities. This march should encourage more South Africans to work instead of sitting at home. Every honest job deserves respect,” he said.
Fellow Uber Eats driver Eric Mnyakeni said unemployment cannot only be blamed on a lack of opportunities, but also on attitudes towards certain types of work.
“We can do every kind of job. People must stop complaining and be prepared to do any honest work,” he said.
“We are often labelled as a lazy nation. Whether you are delivering food, washing cars or working on a construction site, work is work. We want unemployed people to wake up and take whatever opportunities are available while searching for something bigger.”
Another scooter driver said he had often been mocked because of his profession.
“People in the streets call us names and laugh at us because we ride scooters delivering food. But I don’t worry anymore because this job puts food on my family’s table,” he said.
“There is dignity in earning an honest living. If South Africans are prepared to do every kind of work, we will have fewer reasons to complain when others are willing to take those opportunities.”
Community leader Celumusa Khanyile told protesters the march was motivated by growing frustration over unemployment, particularly among young people.
“We want South Africa to create more opportunities for its own citizens,” he said.
“Our unemployment rate is extremely high, especially among the youth. We are calling for authorities to deal with undocumented foreign nationals so that available opportunities can benefit South Africans.”
The protest was overshadowed by isolated incidents of looting, with reports that some individuals allegedly stole goods from South African street vendors.
Khanyile condemned the incidents, saying they went against the purpose of the demonstration.
“It is unfortunate that a few individuals resorted to looting. We made it clear from the beginning that this was meant to be a peaceful march. Criminal behaviour has no place in our protest,” he said.
In Thokoza Extension 2, resident Thembile Konde said some demonstrators were also calling for stricter enforcement against businesses they believe are operated by undocumented foreign nationals.
“Our message is that businesses should comply with South African laws. We also want to see more South Africans owning and operating businesses in their own communities,” Konde said.
