FOURTEEN spaza shops across Soweto townships receive free WiFi now available to customers, thanks to global riding ride-hailing inDrive investment.
“These spaza shops are central to community life, and through this project, we’ve been able to offer a small contribution that supports both local business owners and their customers,” says Ashif Black, Country Representative for inDrive South Africa, whose operation has been in SA six years ago.
“This wasn’t about billboards or big advertising — it was about showing up meaningfully in the communities where we operate,” he continued.
The project brings much-needed connectivity directly to the places where daily life happens: the small, independently owned shops that serve as key gathering points in Soweto’s neighbourhoods.
By providing free internet access at these local hubs, the initiative aims to help bridge the digital divide and create new opportunities for learning, connecting, and doing business.
The initiative also includes a striking new mural by Soweto-born twin brothers, Fhatuwani and Justice Mukheli, representing I See A Different You, positioned at a key site in the area.
“We wanted to contribute something that feels authentic to Soweto — not just a campaign, but a real celebration of the energy and creativity that’s already here,” say the Mukheli brothers.
The artwork celebrates the spirit of movement, creativity, and freedom of choice — themes that resonate deeply with the community and align with the broader ethos of Freedom Day, that was celebrated on April 24.
inDrive’s ride-hailing model empowers passengers and drivers to negotiate fares directly, supporting fairness and flexibility — a principle that echoes the brand’s approach to this local project.
Happy Workers’ Day…
Image provided (Soweto-born twin brothers, Fhatuwani and Justice Mukheli, recorded standing next to inDrive hailing and a striking new mural behind, their project in Soweto).
