'Shesha' A New SA-Owned e-hailing Service to Launch in May

Shesha is a new, SA-owned e-hailing app that promises fair pricing and sophisticated safety systems (Image courtesy: Businesslive)

Buhle Mbijekana

(The Post News) – A new ride-hailing service “Shesha”, which is owned by South Africans, is preparing to commence its operations in Gauteng on May 1st. This venture is a result of a partnership between the minibus taxi industry and e-hailing operators and aims to disrupt the local ride-hailing market by prioritizing safety and offering unique benefits to both riders and drivers.

Nomsa Mdhuli, spokesperson for Shesha, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting the local taxi industry by partnering with the South African National Taxi Council and The Gauteng National Taxi Alliance, as she discussed on 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bongwa.

Piet Mahlangu, a representative from the Minibus Taxi Industry, highlighted the challenges faced by South Africans in e-hailing services, noting the need for a change. Shesha’s founders are determined to keep the profits generated within South Africa, ensuring economic benefits remain local.

A significant portion of Shesha’s shares has been dedicated to the newly formed Gauteng E-Hailing Trust, aimed at providing drivers with essential benefits such as medical aid, provident funding, and pensions.

Shesha aims to challenge global ride-hailing giants like Uber, Bolt, and inDrive with its competitive edge. Among the unique benefits promised are:

– Identification validation: Utilizing fingerprint ID linked to the South African Home Affairs database and facial recognition tools to verify driver’s and riders’ authenticity.

– OTP verification: Providing clients with a unique OTP for each ride to enhance identification accuracy.

– Affordable rates: Offering consistent and fair pricing, unaffected by external factors such as weather conditions or peak traffic hours.

– Cashless transactions: Promoting cashless payments through a secure wallet system, adding an extra layer of safety for both drivers and riders.

– In-app emergency-ride feature: Allowing eligible clients to request emergency rides during unforeseen circumstances, provided they meet specific criteria.

Shesha’s mobile app is currently available for Android on Google Play, with the iOS version set to launch alongside the service on May 1st, 2024. Overall, Shesha’s entry into the ride-hailing market in Gauteng promises to bring a refreshing approach and competition that can benefit all stakeholders involved.