Hi {{ FIRSTNAME | there, }}
Anything’s possible? Believe it or not, the convicted fraudster behind the infamous Fyre Festival sold the brand (IP) on eBay for R4.3 million. Can’t wait for the new documentary once this plays out…
In This Open Letter
Worth it? Should startups be building robotaxis in SA?
Try these: This is where we’re shopping this weekend.
Global: Google’s turning up the volume on AI mode.
Local: Tech for rhinos & biggest spenders on Discovery.
Plus: Think pro WhatsApp marketing’s only for corporates? Think again.
Refer a friend, win Apple AirPods 4!
You should be jamming to cool sounds. Let’s help you out with a new pair of AirPods 4s — for every friend you share this with, we’ll enter you in our big draw in 2 weeks.
TRENDING NOW
Could Robotaxi Work in SA?
It’s a story our grandparents told our parents: one day your car will drive you to work – and now that it’s coming true elsewhere, we gotta ask if SA startups should be investing in robotaxis…
One of the biggest global tech races right now is bringing autonomous vehicles (AVs) to the mainstream. With driver costs making up as much as 60% of commuter transport expenses, it’s no surprise the industry is chasing a driverless future.
AVs caught our eye when Tesla launched its Robotaxi pilot in Austin, Texas. With years of driving data and the ability to turn parked Teslas into money-making “Ubers,” it’s setting itself up to be a major player.
But Tesla is kinda late to the party. General Motors’ Cruise and Google’s Waymo do about 250k rides per week in San Francisco and Phoenix, while, in China, Baidu’s Apollo Go robotaxi service is scaling rapidly, having done almost 11 million rides since 2019.
And AVs In SA? Zero
SA lacks legislation to govern autonomous vehicles, so whilst some tests can be done, it will take some time before we see any kind of robotaxi hitting our streets. And perhaps it has to do with the major social impact it will have…
On the ride-share side, Uber SA has some 1.4 million active users and 52k drivers (more than Woolworths and SPAR employees combined) while Bolt has around 40k – so pretty safe to say SA has around 100k ride-share drivers.
Add 350k minibus taxis, buses, and freight services, and you are looking at about 500’000 jobs that could be on the line.
But with an opportunity this big….
Uber drivers earned R2.3bn in 2023. Assuming Bolt drivers earned similarly, replacing just ride-hail drivers with autonomous vehicles is a R4bn+ annual opportunity. Add all the other types of commuter transport, and this becomes a very lucrative opportunity.
Chasing this opportunity means tackling job losses and tricky infrastructure. AVs need well-marked roads, something many parts of SA just don’t have.
But crime may be the biggest hurdle. Fake roadblocks are already used to stop cars and AVs, with no driver to react, making them easy targets. Just ask the traffic-cone protestors in the US.
While we are already 11m rides behind the likes of China, chances are we will see that number 10x or even 100x before AVs hit the streets in SA. However, with all the investment pouring into it, most of us will inevitably see it in SA in our lifetime, perhaps even in the next 5 years. But who is bold enough?
We are watching this space.
FROM OUR FRIENDS AT CHAT INC
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IN SHORT
Coupla’ hot ones to drop around the braai…
📣 GirlCode Glow Up. Registration for GirlCodeHack 2025 is now open, spreading its tech-empowerment magic across seven African cities this October. With a focus on future-proofing Africa through FinTech, AI and cybersecurity, this hackathon invites female tech enthusiasts aged 18-35 to flex their problem-solving prowess. Good luck, ladies.
💰 Discovery's Craziest Claims. Discovery Health Medical Scheme's ten priciest claims in 2024 cost a whopping R70.5 million combined. The top claim? A hefty R9.6 million to care for a senior on a ventilator, a claim that theoretically would need 283 years' worth of contributions! Half the top claims were for long-term ventilator use. We have to wonder, though, are they also on Vitality?
🔍 Google's AI Power Up. Google's AI Mode just got a major upgrade with Gemini 2.5 Pro and Deep Search, showcasing serious capabilities in advanced reasoning, math and exhaustive research. Only Pro and Ultra subscribers have the keys to this innovation kingdom — others will just have to miss out on the fun. Hmm… is this the future of search dominance?
🕹️ Tech to the Rhino Rescue. South Africa's ambitious campaign to boost the Kruger Park’s white rhino population tenfold over the next decade is taking off. With drones, GPS collars, and real-time tracking, the Rhino Renaissance Campaign is weaving tech into conservation. Very cool, indeed!
✅ The Stack. Founders need tools and suppliers they can trust. Check out our Founder’s Stack with the best in IP offshoring and global market access with Finance Isle of Man, all your VC and startup legal sorted by Dommisse Attorneys, and loads more vital startup tools & services.
NEW IN SA E-COMMERCE
Where we’re shopping this weekend
There’s thrifting… And then there’s Thrif.
What started as a side hustle has grown into a clean, curated online platform offering quality-checked preloved clothing from over 100 brands, including Zara, Cotton On and H&M.
Prices sit 50–70% below retail, and every item is inspected by hand to make sure it arrives in near-new condition (no dodgy stains or funky smells).
Get it to your door, nationwide via Pudo for between R59 and R79 (so you can shop from anywhere in South Africa without getting stung on shipping).
Plus, there are always discounts happening on various items, so it would be good to regularly check the store to refresh your wardrobe without breaking the bank.
Browse the racks at Thrif.
READY TO MAKE A MOVE?
Make like Steve and find a new one…
🧱 Senior Product Engineer (Cape Town) @ Jem HR
🏗️ Senior Product Engineer (Johannesburg) @ Jem HR
👩🏽💻 Full-Stack Developer @ The Awareness Company
🤝 Head of Sales @ The Awareness Company
🏆 Customer Success Specialist @ The Awareness Company
🚘 Head of Product @ admyt
WHAT YOU SAID
Great deal…
Yesterday, we told you about the SA startup that helps find better prices on groceries, asking where you shop for great deals. And most here are loyal to just one shop…
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 ⭐ Loyal to one store (I know the aisles like home) (60%)
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 📱 App-hopping to chase the best price (7%)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 📊 I’ve got a spreadsheet and a strategy, and I’m not afraid to use it (10%)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🧃 Whatever’s closest. I’m shopping for convenience, not savings (10%)
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 💸 Wait for deals, then bulk-buy like it’s a sport (13%)
Your 2 cents…
“Spaving (spend more to save) to the max whenever I find a ‘3 for 2’ or ‘buy 3 to get cheapest for free’ LOL.”
Hey hey, make every Rand work, Isaac. 😎
“I just love Checkers and save enough that I don't shop around unless it's for cat food. I know all the Checkers store layouts near me and Sixty60 is the literal best, also saves you impulse buying.”
Nice, Caeri! What’s the deal with cat food, though? Kitty not a Sixty60 fan? 🐱
“I don't really know the aisles like home, but the Sixty60 shoppers do! I just stay at home.”
This is what royalty feels like, William. 👑
“Vitality = Checkers = -40%+ on healthy foods, which pays for my vitality & discovery bank account... and does not include any gym or flight savings yet.”
Eat well, live better, eh, Ludwig? 🥗
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THANKS FOR READING
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