New 'afrikaans Uber' In Gauteng Only Employs Drivers Who Can Speak The Language

A new e-hailing business, which only employs drivers who can speak Afrikaans, has been launched in Centurion and Pretoria.

Called Wanatu, which is a play on the Afrikaans expression 'Waarnatoe' English: Where to?, the company, which is funded by private investors, was launched in October 2024.

While speaking Afrikaans competently is a prerequisite for drivers employed by Wanatu, CEO Judith van der Walt says anyone can use the service as the platform's app has an English translation button for users.

Afrikaans doesn't have to be the home language of its employees, with Van der Walt saying its drivers are from various demographic groups.

While the service wants to compete with the likes of Uber and Bolt, Van der Walt says it is also focusing on school e-hailing and airport shuttle services.