Latest news with #BoltSouthAfrica
TimesLIVE
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Mandela Day career expo proves education is still the real power
Bolt South Africa hosted a Mandela Day career expo at Constitution Hill in Johannesburg on Friday for 67 pupils from Fidelity and Namedi Secondary Schools in Diepkoof, Soweto, with celebrities reminding them of the importance of education. The expo showed the pupils there is more to success than likes and followers and that school still matters with celebrities Anele Zondo and Grace Mondlana, who are both university graduates, talking about their struggles to get where they are. Anele, who is an actress, presenter, musician and businesswoman, shared her story with the pupils, taking them back to the start of her journey. 'I knew I wanted to be on TV since I was 16, knowing that I want to be in Joburg, I studied media while I was busy with auditions and selling wigs just to get by and I graduated in record time. I am a media graduate,' she said. Even though she was building her career at the same time, she said it was important to get that degree as it taught her about the business side. 'School made me realise that you need to learn the business side of anything that you want to do, especially in the entertainment industry because talent is 50% and the other 50 is strategy.' Digital creator Grace Mondlana spoke about how she struggled in school but turned her life around using what she loved and was passionate about. 'I failed in grade 10 because I didn't know why I was in school but later I realised that my passion was content creation. When TikTok was first famous, we were all dancing in there and I realised that I want to bring something different to TikTOK, something authentic. 'Now I have a degree in education, I own my own car, own property and I am opening my own preschool in 2027.' Lerato Motsoeneng, senior general manager at Bolt South Africa, also shared powerful and inspirational words with the pupils, encouraging them to think about their future, work hard and never give up. 'No one helped me when I needed career advice but today, I want to help. I'm choosing five learners from here to mentor,' he said. Kgaugelo Shebe from EduChange and Research Foundation (ERF), who helped select the learners pupils, said they picked pupils who they knew were reliable and would show up. Some Namedi pupils who attended the expo said it was discouraging being labelled and judged as 'underperforming kids'. 'People judge us because of the class of 2024, forgetting that we are our own people and we have our own ways, I think that we will be better, we will bring change in Namedi, we will show them.' Grace left the pupils with an affirmation: 'I am enough, I am a priority, I am worthy, I am in control, I will succeed, I am deserving, I am capable, I am powerful and I am beautiful.'
The South African
27-06-2025
- The South African
Bolt data challenges YouTuber's kidnapping allegations
Bolt says it has yet to decide whether it will pursue legal action following the alleged kidnapping of YouTuber Simthande Myeza. The e-hailing company has completed an internal investigation and, based on its platform data, maintains that the incident did not occur during a Bolt trip. Senior General Manager of Bolt South Africa, Lerato Motsoeneng, says the platform takes all safety allegations extremely seriously. 'Based on the available data, we can confirm that the incident described did not occur during a Bolt trip. We also have strong reasons to believe that the drivers who took trips from locations relevant to the incident had nothing to do with the incident,' said Motsoeneng. In a statement released by the platform, Motsoeneng said riders and drivers have no prior knowledge of each other before a match occurs on the app. 'The trip was completed by a driver-partner, and the drop-off point was recorded approximately 114 metres from the originally requested location. This falls within the expected margin of GPS accuracy. We can confirm that the rider and driver were alone in the vehicle,' Motsoeneng said. The platform also suggests that no trip activity was recorded when the alleged incident occurred. Motsoeneng added that Bolt's systems maintain secure and tamper-proof records, which include time stamps and geolocation details. KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said Umbilo police are investigating a case of kidnapping. He said the incident occurred on Tuesday, 17 June. 'It is reported that the victim requested services of an e-hailing vehicle. However, the driver drove towards a different direction. Along the way, two other men got into the vehicle, and the three men took the victim to a house. He was reportedly made to withdraw an undisclosed amount of money and was also forced to solicit money from family and friends,' added Netshiunda. Bolt says its findings have been shared with the relevant authorities. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
IOL News
26-06-2025
- IOL News
E-hailing platform rejects claims that Simthande Myeza was using its platform during abduction in Durban
Simthande Myeza, a digital creator from Durban who alleged he was abducted while using Bolt. Image: Instagram In a strong rebuttal to claims that popular Durban influencer Simthande Myeza was abducted while using their platform, Bolt has issued a statement defending its reputation amidst growing public concern over safety in the e-hailing industry. The statement comes on the heels of a distressing incident reported by Myeza's family, who allege that he was kidnapped on the night of June 17 in the Umbilo area of Durban. "Based on the available data, we can confirm that the incident described did not occur during a Bolt trip," asserted Lerato Motsoeneng, Senior General Manager of Bolt South Africa. "We also have strong reasons to believe that the drivers who took trips from locations relevant to the incident had nothing to do with it." Bolt's response came amid a surge of public unease regarding the safety protocols employed by e-hailing services. Following the reported incident, the platform launched an internal investigation to identify any possible connections between its services and the alleged abduction. Motsoeneng explained that, according to Bolt's verified trip data, Myeza requested a ride at 3pm on the day of the incident. The company emphasised that its algorithm matches riders and drivers in real time without any prior knowledge of the rider's identity. The ride was completed, and the drop-off point was approximately 114 metres from Myeza's originally requested location, a variance that is considered acceptable due to GPS accuracy. Furthermore, the records indicate that Myeza did not engage in any Bolt trip activity later that evening, despite his claims of being taken at around 8pm. Instead, a different driver, unrelated to the initial trip, was matched to a return journey ordered from a separate account, reinforcing Bolt's assertion that the incident was not associated with their platform. 'We have officially shared all our findings with the relevant authorities and are committed to fully cooperating with them,' Motsoeneng continued. 'Our safety and operations teams continue to support law enforcement by providing all relevant trip data, maintaining secure and tamper-proof records.' Moreover, Bolt stated that should the investigation reveal any slanderous claims against the company, it would contemplate legal action. In light of the situation, Bolt has been in contact with Myeza to facilitate further inquiries, aiming to address any lingering concerns surrounding the safety of their service. As the investigation progresses, Bolt remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring user safety, asserting that the well-being of its community is paramount. The platform has reiterated its ongoing engagement with law enforcement in a bid to uphold the trust placed in it by its users.
The Citizen
26-06-2025
- The Citizen
Bolt pokes holes in TikToker Simthande Myeza's abduction claims
Bolt says its records do not support the version of events shared by Myeza's family. E-hailing service Bolt has dismissed claims that TikToker Simthande Myeza was abducted during one of its trips, citing findings from its internal investigation. Myeza's family recently released a statement, alleging he was abducted during his Bolt ride on Tuesday, 17 June, in the Umbilo area in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. Family spokesperson Lomsongaka Myeza said Simthande became suspicious when the driver took an unexpected route, prompting him to ask the driver to make a U-turn. 'That's when the driver became agitated and eventually stopped the car. Two other African males approached the vehicle, and one of them pointed a gun at Simthande. The other blindfolded him, tied his hands, and drove with him to an unknown location,' the family's statement read. READ MORE: Simthande Myeza 'abducted and robbed' during e-hailing trip: TikToker's family speaks Bolt: 'The incident described did not occur during a Bolt trip' In a statement released on Wednesday, Bolt South Africa's Senior General Manager, Lerato Motsoeneng, said their records do not support the version of events shared by Myeza. 'Following the 17 June incident reported on social media, we launched a thorough internal investigation. Based on the available data, we can confirm that the incident described did not occur during a Bolt trip,' Motsoeneng said. According to the statement, Myeza requested a ride at 15:03 on 17 June. The trip was completed by a verified driver, with the drop-off location within 114 metres of the intended destination — a margin Bolt says falls within normal GPS accuracy. 'We can confirm that the rider and driver were alone in the vehicle. We subsequently checked the driver's details and found out that he has been driving using the Bolt app since December 2024. 'Mr Myeza said in a media statement that the incident took place at around 20:00 the same evening. Our records do not show any Bolt trip activity associated with him during that time.' Motsoeneng added that the alleged return trip mentioned on social media was also investigated. 'This second trip involved a different driver, ordered from a separate rider account. The driver was matched using our standard algorithm, which means he could not have known in advance who the passenger would be.' Bolt said it has shared its findings with relevant authorities and will continue to assist law enforcement. 'Based on the outcome of the official investigation, we will decide whether to pursue legal action against any claims found to be defamatory towards Bolt.' Efforts to reach Myeza for comment were unsuccessful. The Citizen has sent queries to the KwaZulu-Natal police for an update on the case and will update the story once a response is received. NOW READ: 'If I were Orlando Pirates coach, I'd let it loose,' says Pirates coach lookalike, actor Mbulelo Grootboom
The South African
24-06-2025
- The South African
Bolt reacts to YouTuber's alleged kidnapping
E-hailing company Bolt expressed concern and sympathy following the alleged kidnapping of a YouTuber, Simthande Myeza. He was allegedly abducted in Durban while travelling in a Bolt vehicle. Senior General Manager of Bolt South Africa, Lerato Motsoeneng, described the incident as deeply disturbing. He said Bolt is handling the matter with the utmost seriousness and will fully support the relevant authorities in addressing it. 'Our safety team has reached out to the individual to gather more information and better understand what occurred. While we are still in the process of verifying the trip information, we remain committed to engaging all parties to ensure the matter is thoroughly addressed,' said Motsoeneng. SAFETY REMAINS BOLT'S TOP PRIORITY The e-hailing company says safety is its highest priority. Motsoeneng said Bolt remains deeply committed to ensuring every Bolt ride is a safe and trusted experience. 'We will continue to work closely with the relevant law enforcement authorities and act decisively as soon as we have the information needed to do so,' added Motsoeneng. Myeza's family said the online comedian is safe and currently recovering. The family added that they are allowing the law to take its course. KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson, Colonel Robert Netshiunda said Umbilo police are investigating a case of kidnapping. In a statement, the family said that the Bolt driver took the incorrect route before stopping the car. Thereafter, two others held Myeza at gunpoint. The family claimed that they drove Myeza to an unknown location and cleaned out his bank account before demanding a ransom from his family and friends. They also claim that kidnappers stripped him of his clothes and took pictures and videos of him while forcing him to perform acts. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news
