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- A new tech platform is offering free WiFi and content solutions to taxi and bus commuters.
- Sebenza offers commuters the opportunity to complete a series of tasks – like consumer surveys – to earn "Sebenza bucks".
- Users can then use these bucks to purchase access to the internet on taxis and buses.
Many people struggle with the high cost of internet and data in South Africa, making it difficult to stay connected and access vital information. However, a new tech platform is working towards changing this narrative by offering free WiFi and content solutions for those who need it most: commuters on taxis and buses.
Called Sebenza, the online platform offers commuters the opportunity to complete a series of tasks – like consumer surveys – to earn "Sebenza bucks" (the platform’s currency). Users can then use these bucks to purchase access to the internet on taxis and buses that have Sebenza connectivity installed.
According to Mayihlome Tshwete, a shareholder of the platform and its head of communications, the platform is already available in over 2 000 taxis across the country (Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Gauteng and Limpopo) and is working closely with taxi associations to reach thousands more over time.
“I think there’s a misconception that taxi associations don’t prioritise customer service, but in the interactions we’ve had with them, they’ve held the customer experience in high regard and have pushed for us to scale even faster than we were intending to,” Tshwete says.
“Innovation is something that taxi associations across the country are embracing and they are quite excited about our partnership with them.”
Tshwete says the platform is not only beneficial for commuters but also for brands looking to connect with the commuter market.
Sebenza is working towards creating access to a wide range of digital products and services so brands can tailor their products and experiences to meet the needs of their customers, but these functionalities are still in developmental phases and will be integrated onto the platform as it grows.
“The priority for us right now is to improve on the customer experience on the platform, and to scale it to the broader taxi industry – where there is a huge opportunity to digitise that commute experience,” he says.
In a world where access to information and connectivity is increasingly important, platforms like these are vital in ensuring that no one is left behind. As Sebenza continues to grow, it will be interesting to see the impact that it has on South Africa and beyond.
