South African Uber, Bolt drivers’ union plans first ever nationwide strike

South African e-hailing drivers across various provinces are finally coming together in a planned nationwide strike. The national action, facilitated by the National E-hailing Federation of South Africa (NEFSA), follows several protests across provinces in the country.

In a statement to Technext, Secretary General of the NEFSA, Omar Parker, said the federation stands firmly in solidarity with all app-based transport workers and operators across the country who have taken a bold stance against the continued exploitation and unjust policies of the app companies.

He noted that companies like Uber and Bolt have continued to exploit the labour of hardworking drivers whilst prioritising unchecked corporate profits.

Therefore, the sporadic strike action by drivers in various parts of the country, and recently in Gauteng, comes as no surprise. It also reflects the levels of frustration and desperation experienced by drivers/operators on the ground.

“NEFSA recognises that despite the fragmented protest actions over the last couple of years, which have produced limited results, there are growing calls for action across the country. The legitimate demands raised by the recent group who took to the streets are virtually the same demands we have all been fighting for. Central to all of the different concerns remains our demands for fair pricing mechanisms, decent pay, health and safety as a priority,” Mr Parker said.

Other demands, according to Mr Parker, include accountability by the app companies for payment of compensation in the event of injuries and death, and an end to unilateral/unfair deactivations without just cause and due process.

Others include social protection and transparency in algorithmic control and management.

He noted that these demands are being advanced throughout Africa and the rest of the world, and were recently highlighted in the IAATW ILO Sub-Saharan Africa report of 2025.

NEFSA’s planned national strike action in South Africa

Drivers across South Africa have, from time to time, organised protests against the excessiveness of foreign app companies like Uber and Bolt. However, they have been fragmented across provinces as they are usually led by small groups of drivers. As a result, they haven’t yielded much.

The lack of change means drivers are becoming angrier by the day, a reality that defines the need for a larger, cohesive action that will rattle the companies. NEFSA is looking to fulfil that need.

According to the federation, the proposed nationwide strike action is scheduled to last for a week, and an action committee will be created to coordinate it.

“NEFSA is calling for a unified, coordinated nationwide mass action in defence of drivers’ and operators’ rights and livelihoods. The exact nature of the national mass action is to be determined through the establishment of an inclusive national coordinating action committee. We will consult broadly to initiate the process towards planning the rollout of a national programme of mass action,” the statement said.

The federation is therefore calling on all provincial and regional associations, as well as independent driver and operator groups, to rally behind this cause, regardless of their current affiliations, and stand together under one voice for economic justice.

It also restated its resolve to intensify efforts to strengthen cooperation in Sub-Saharan Africa with regional interventions that seek to build solidarity amongst organisations in the global south and north.

“We will not allow international corporations to trample the dignity of South African workers, neither will we stand by as spectators in our oppression, whilst our government lack the political will to intervene decisively to protect the economic interests of its citizens. It is time to stand united across all provinces — Gauteng, Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West, and the Northern Cape — in reclaiming our power, our voice, and restoring our rightful share in the profits we generate daily,” Mr Parker finished.

See also: South African e-hailing union condemns black market sale of operating licenses