Shoprite's Driver Dilemma Why South Africans Are Ditching Sixty60

Despite being one of South Africa's top grocery delivery services, Checkers Sixty60 , powered by the logistics platform Pingo, is facing challenges in retaining local drivers.

Although Pingo pays what it describes as best-in-class rates for delivery, only 23 of the platform's 7 000 drivers are South African, and nearly 80 of these drivers drop out before completing the programme, according to comments from Shoprite chairperson Wendy Lucas-Bull during the company's recent AGM, as reported by News24 .

To combat the low retention rates, Pingo has established five training centres across the country. However, the demanding nature of the job and significant safety concerns have deterred many potential drivers.

Lucas-Bull noted that Pingo drivers can earn between R18 000 and R50 000 per month, but actual income depends heavily on delivery volume and fluctuating conditions, News24 highlights.

Further complicating matters, Pingo's classification of drivers as independent contractors excludes them from employment benefits like health insurance, paid leave and job security.