Publication: Automative Business Review
Author: Unspecified
Photograph: Unspecified
To achieve this vision, DTFS’ operations are aligned to five convictions: “Shared Values”, “Customer Driven”, “People Always”, “Excellence” and “Sustainability”. Partnership is the cornerstone of DTFS business and to address their sustainability conviction, DTFS recently collaborated with Green Riders by sponsoring 27 Youth Employment Service (YES) students for a 12-month programme, where they will receive training to become professional delivery drivers.
Green Riders is a proudly South African, turnkey, green e-mobility solution dedicated to creating a significant social impact while building a profitable company. Their mission is twofold. Firstly, they set out to transform unemployed youth into professional delivery riders through the Green Rider Academy, offering an intensive three-month training programme addressing e-bike handling, road safety, customer service and sales, marketing and communication, navigation, food hygiene, aggregator app usage, and omni-channel management. Secondly, they focus on prioritizing sustainability by replacing fuel-dependent motorbikes with eco-friendly e-bikes and e-motorbikes. The e-bikes offered are top-of-the-line offering a 100kg cargo capacity and a 100km range on a single charge.
Mike Honiball, CEO of DTFS South Africa commented: “Recognizing South Africa's significant unemployment challenge, DTFS is committed to making a difference through the support of the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme. Although our capacity to take in students is limited, we extend our impact by sponsoring unemployed youth in other organizations as implementation partners. Our partnership with Green Riders exemplifies this approach. We chose Green Riders because they not only upskill the youth but also integrate environmental sustainability into their business model, aligning perfectly with our strategic priorities at DTFS.” “We are thrilled to have the strong support of Daimler Truck Financial Services South Africa, in backing our young South African Riders through the Youth Employment Service (YES) programme,” said Richard Clarke, Executive Chairman of Green Riders. “These previously unemployed youth come from disadvantaged backgrounds, many who need to support their families. With the support of this programme, they can now earn a growing monthly income and develop exciting careers using environmentally friendly delivery vehicles. This makes a substantial difference in their communities by reducing unemployment and minimizing harm to our planet, leaving the students in the programme with a sense of purpose, dignity, pride, and a vision for their futures. We thank DTFS for supporting our cause.”