Lemo Motshwane, Founder of Urban Mobility and part of the FURTHER community, is redefining what economic empowerment looks like in underserved communities. What began in 2019 as a response to the rising demand for delivery services has grown into a model for social impact and youth employment.
Today, through a landmark partnership with Takealot Group, Urban Mobility is on track to upskill and empower more than 1 000 young South Africans to become Mr D delivery drivers.
Urban Mobility was born when Lemo noticed a shift in the restaurant and retail sectors. Businesses were increasingly leaning into delivery as a core service, yet many young people in underserved areas were not accessing these job opportunities. “I realised it wasn’t disinterest or laziness,” he explains. “It was a skills-gap problem.”
That insight became the foundation of Urban Mobility’s mission: To offer comprehensive training in motorcycle operation, road safety, and customer service, while providing licensed bikes and professional mentorship to unemployed youth. Over time, the organisation’s focus has expanded to include broader supply chain solutions, but the core goal remains the same: To create a sustainable cycle of employment and empowerment.
This made the partnership with the Takealot Group a natural next step. Introduced through the South African Breweries Foundation (SABF), Takealot was searching for an implementation partner aligned with its goal of developing local drivers within its network. “It was SABF manager Itumeleng Dhlamini who made the connection,” says Lemo. “Our work with the foundation caught their attention, and from there, things moved forward.”
For Urban Mobility, the partnership is a game-changer. It offers consistent delivery opportunities for trained drivers, helps establish credibility within the fast-paced e-commerce space, and brings them closer to their vision of standardised, inclusive training across the country. “This collaboration allows us to scale responsibly while staying rooted in our mission of youth empowerment,” Lemo adds.
Working with a large corporation like the Takealot Group has also come with important lessons. “We’ve learned to balance our social goals with enterprise expectations through clear communication and operational discipline,” says Lemo. “It shows how big businesses can be powerful allies in driving inclusive economic growth when there’s mutual respect and a shared vision.”
Looking ahead, Lemo is focused on deepening impact. “I want our trainees to gain more than just jobs. I want them to build professional confidence, become financially independent, and serve as role models in their communities,” he says.
Urban Mobility is proving that when innovation meets purpose, sustainable change is not only possible, it’s scalable.
