Navigating a Bumpier Road: Afrikaans E-Hailing App Wanatu Cuts Salaries, Revamps Model

The South African e-hailing challenger Wanatu, known for its Afrikaans-language focus and employee-based driver model, is undergoing significant restructuring in response to user feedback and operational pressures. This includes a controversial move to slash its guaranteed driver salary and a shift towards a performance-based pay system.

Unlike Uber and Bolt, where drivers are contractors, Wanatu employs its drivers, offering them a guaranteed basic monthly salary for better financial security. However, the company has confirmed it is reducing this guaranteed base from R8,500 to R6,200 per montha 27% cut.

A New “Performance” Model

Wanatu defended the decision, stating the previous flat salary paid all drivers equally, regardless of performance or service quality. “The new system makes it possible for drivers to earn more than they currently do while advancing fairness and accountability,” the company told MyBroadband.

The restructuring also involves moving to a depot-based operating model, which Wanatu admits may not suit all drivers. While denying “widespread retrenchments,” it confirmed service contracts are being adjusted, with drivers undergoing formal consultations. Some drivers have been let go due to “contract transgressions or continued poor performance.”

Growth Amid Controversy

Despite the internal changes, Wanatu is experiencing rapid growth. Launched in 2024 and operating primarily in Pretoria and Centurion, its registered user base has jumped from 62,662 in March 2025 to 116,401 as of January 2026. The company has also added Toyota Corolla Cross hybrids to its fleet.

Its growth has not been without controversy. In 2025, Wanatu faced criticism for its Afrikaans-language requirement for driver applicants, a policy it defends as crucial for serving its primary demographic.

Pivoting to “Operational Sustainability”

For 2026, Wanatu says its goal is “structural improvements and operational sustainability.” It is developing an improved app based on customer feedback to enhance functionality and user experience.

The changes mark a pivotal moment for the niche operator. Wanatu is attempting to balance its unique employee-value proposition with the harsh economics of the e-hailing industry. For its drivers, the promise of security now comes with a lower floor and higher expectations, testing whether a more localized, language-focused model can survive in a market dominated by global giants.

{Source: The Citizen}

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