The Gauteng Provincial Government is not a stranger to strategic and progressive partnerships with the private sector. Their recent initiative brings them together with Diageo South Africa, a leading premium spirits company, to issue 40,000 driver’s licenses to the province’s unemployed youth. Diageo is an impressive organisation, with popular alcoholic beverage brands under its belt including Johnny Walker, Tanqueray, and Smirnoff 1818.
Diageo together with the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and the Gauteng Department of Economic Development have come together to empower the youth.
40,000 Driver’s Licenses Available to Registered Citizens
Gauteng has been doing what it can to offer opportunities to the youth, starting with leading by example, and the private sector has opted to join the province’s “Less Talk, More Work” campaign. Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, has been publicising the Nasi iSpani initiative, which is gaining a lot of interest. Not only has the Gauteng Government appointed thousands in formal positions this year but it has connected with international names like Uber to improve the township economy. Knowing how to drive is essential to opening economic prospects for the youth, especially in a province as fast-paced as Gauteng. Diageo South Africa is a new associate of these game-changing programmes.
The driver’s license initiative was first announced at the beginning of August and the motive behind it is to promote responsible driving and create safer roads. The alliance will be covering all the related costs and administrative conditions for distributing the learner’s licenses; many young people have already registered.
How Eligible Youth Should Apply for the Driver’s License Initiative
The eligibility criteria for obtaining a driver’s license through the initiative are the following:
- The applicant must be a South African citizen.
- The applicant must be a Gauteng resident in the Township, Informal Settlement, and Hostel (TISH) sectors.
- The applicant must be between 18 and 35.
- The applicant must be prepared to know the K53 App learning material very well.
Interested candidates must register before the 30th of September, but the issuing of the driver’s licenses is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Driver’s licenses will be issued for Codes 1, 8, and 10.
