This Freedom Day, Soweto celebrates progress not just through reflection, but through real action that supports the everyday lives of its people. Fourteen spaza shops across the township have been given a fresh new face — with store revamps and free WiFi now available to their customers — thanks to a new community-focused initiative by global ride-hailing platform, inDrive.
The project brings much-needed connectivity directly to the places where daily life happens: the small, independently owned shops that serve as key gathering points in Soweto’s neighbourhoods. By providing free internet access at these local hubs, the initiative aims to help bridge the digital divide and create new opportunities for learning, connecting, and doing business.
“This wasn’t about billboards or big advertising — it was about showing up meaningfully in the communities where we operate,” says Ashif Black, Country Representative for inDrive South Africa. “These spaza shops are central to community life, and through this project, we’ve been able to offer a small contribution that supports both local business owners and their customers.”
The initiative also includes a striking new mural by Soweto-born twin brothers, Fhatuwani and Justice Mukheli of I See A Different You, positioned at a key site in the area. The artwork celebrates the spirit of movement, creativity, and freedom of choice — themes that resonate deeply with the community and align with the broader ethos of Freedom Day.
For inDrive, this project is part of a global commitment to challenging injustice and driving positive change in the communities it serves. The brand’s identity is rooted in the belief that everyone deserves fair access — whether that’s through negotiable ride fares, low commission rates for drivers, or community-driven initiatives like this one that create real, everyday impact.
“We wanted to contribute something that feels authentic to Soweto — not just a campaign, but a real celebration of the energy and creativity that’s already here,” say the Mukheli brothers.
Now in its sixth year of operation in South Africa, inDrive’s ride-hailing model empowers passengers and drivers to negotiate fares directly, supporting fairness and flexibility — a principle that echoes the brand’s approach to this local project.
As South Africa marks 31 years of democracy, initiatives like this highlight how freedom continues to evolve — not just as a political milestone, but as access to everyday tools, services, and opportunities that help people move forward.
