In South Africa’s townships, young entrepreneurs are rewriting the rules of business.
One standout is Moovy Delivery, a same-day courier service based in Soweto that is helping local businesses, spaza shops and residents get groceries, food, medication and parcels delivered quickly while creating jobs and opportunities for youth.
Its founder, 24-year-old Nhlanhla Nkosi said the idea for Moovy came from real-life observations.
“My journey began in the taxi ranks with my uncle, a taxi driver. That’s where my dream of owning taxis and trucks was born. Years later, while working at a school, I noticed my colleagues struggling to find good food. They would often ask me to order for them because I knew the best spots. That’s how I spotted the gap,” Nkosi explained.
After a short partnership in the food delivery space failed to work out, Nkosi launched Moovy in February 2025.
The company, which now employs six full-time drivers and three part-time drivers, operates seven days a week via WhatsApp. It partners with over 40 local outlets.
Nkosi shared some of the mounting challenges they faced, including operating in a country with one of the highest crime rates in the world.
“One of our drivers was mugged recently. They took his phone, money and bicycle. Sharing the roads with motorists who don’t care about cyclists is another daily risk.
“And because we run everything manually on WhatsApp, our order volume is limited. Cash flow is tricky too, as most small businesses need money immediately, while payment platforms take a day or two to clear,” he said.
Despite these obstacles, the impact is tangible.
“Every order supports a local kitchen, spaza shop, or pharmacy. We make life easier for everyone, delivering meds for elderly residents, hot meals for busy individuals and small parcels for hustlers. At the same time, we create jobs for youth and teach them logistics, customer service and financial literacy.”
Customers and business owners are noticing the difference.
Thembeka Damba, a regular customer, said he used the service up to five times a month.
“They deliver on time, fees are reasonable, and the customer service is excellent. They are trustworthy and make it easy for me to work from home.”
Nkosi’s vision for Moovy is ambitious.
He wants the company to evolve from a single bicycle operation into a tech-powered fleet, expanding beyond food and parcels to larger deliveries and one day, potentially transporting people.
One of company’s drivers, Kefilwe Motsamai, shared his experience.
“Working with Moovy has changed my life. I didn’t have a formal job before, and now I earn an income, learn about logistics and improve my customer service skills. Every delivery I make supports local shops and families in the community,” Motsamai said.
In a country grappling with high youth unemployment and struggling small businesses, Moovy Delivery shows how local innovation and hustle can create real opportunities, empower communities and drive township economies forward.
