RIDEBOX | Solar-Powered E-Hailing

The Hardware

Engineered for South African Conditions

Phase 1: Core Integration

These are the primary units we are rolling out first. We designed them to be compact, incredibly tough, and easy to drop into busy areas like campuses and mall entrances. They give people immediate, safe access to rides without taking up too much pavement.

Projected Update: The Transit Shelter

Looking a bit further down the roadmap, we plan to introduce these larger multi-screen hubs. They are meant for major transport nodes where people might need to wait a little longer, offering actual shelter from the elements, comfortable seating, and extra screen space.

Our Story

Who We Are & What We Stand For

RideBox was born from a simple frustration: South Africa's e-hailing landscape left too many people vulnerable to load shedding, unsafe rides, and unpredictable pricing. Two CPUT founders (a graduate and a final-year student) from Soweto and Port Elizabeth decided to change that. Built on solar power and a commitment to community safety, RideBox is rewriting the rules of urban mobility by bridging the last-mile communication gap.

Mission

To deliver safe, affordable, and energy-independent e-hailing access to every South African, ensuring that a lack of smartphone access, data, or power never leaves you stranded.

Vision

A South Africa where clean, connected mobility is a right not a privilege powered entirely by renewable energy.

Core Values

Safety First

Every product decision is weighed against passenger and driver safety. Designed around vetted drivers, facial verification technology, SOS panic buttons, and real-time oversight to ensure every trip is secure.

Energy Independence

We refuse to be held hostage by the grid. Our solar-first infrastructure keeps you moving smoothly through any load shedding stage or local power outage.

Community Impact

We hire locally, operate transparently, and continuously reinvest in the communities we serve, bridging the gap between townships and major tourism corridors.

Radical Accessibility

Designed to support all 11 official languages, with regulated fares and clear booking instructions to ensure that RideBox works for everyone, even those without access to a smartphone.

What We Offer

The RideBox Product & Platform

Solar-Powered Hubs

Physical RideBox units are planned for deployment at airports, malls, universities, and public transport nodes. Each unit is designed to run on embedded solar arrays and lithium battery backups, providing operational capacity during power grid interruptions.

Secure E-Hailing

Designed to operate a vetted driver network featuring facial verification and dedicated SOS panic buttons. The platform is designed to support all 11 official languages via an intuitive AI interface, with a fixed-fare approach to minimise surprise pricing.

Tourist Protection

Dedicated lanes and pre-screened drivers at major airports will help protect visitors from scams and unauthorised drivers. The platform will handle currency conversions and compare prices across platforms to support fair, market-rate rides.

Driver Programmes

We plan to invite drivers to join our network and benefit from transparent earning structures, ongoing training support, and access to a national route network across our planned pilot locations.

Enterprise Partnerships

We actively collaborate with municipalities, academic institutions, and corporate campuses to seamlessly integrate RideBox hubs into their existing transport infrastructure without adding any burden to the local power grid.

Franchise Opportunities

Local operators can own and deploy a RideBox unit in their city. Our franchise model allows partners to manage hubs while generating passive revenue from the high-visibility digital advertising screens built into every kiosk.

How It Works

Step One

Find a Hub

Locate your nearest RideBox unit at a major airport, shopping mall, or public transport node, or simply book your ride through our mobile app.

Step Two

Book a Ride

Select your destination, confirm the fixed upfront fare, and get matched with a fully vetted RideBox driver in just a matter of minutes.

Step Three

Travel Safely

Enjoy your journey with total peace of mind. Every trip is actively tracked, drivers are thoroughly screened, and emergency support is always a tap away.

Step Four

Rate & Repeat

Provide your feedback to help us maintain our rigorous service standards, and earn loyalty credits toward your future trips.

The Strategy

21

PLANNED UNITS

0%

GRID DEPENDENCY

SECURE

E-HAILING ACCESS

Building With Our Community

Pre-Launch Engagement Across the Ecosystem

Planned Locations

Grid Dependency

—

Vetted Driver Network

Onboarding programme designed with fleet partners

Sites & Locations

Active engagement with major transit hubs and academic institutions across Cape Town to host the first RideBox pilot deployment.

Driver Network

Established relationships with local fleet owners who provide the foundation for our vetted driver onboarding programme at launch.

Platform Partners

Ongoing partnership conversations with leading e-hailing platforms to host their booking infrastructure on RideBox kiosks.

Leadership

Dumisane Zikalala

CO-FOUNDER & TECH LEAD

Alulutho Mbangela

CO-FOUNDER & STRATEGY

Core Team

Regan

PROJECT MANAGER

Jonathan

SUPERVISOR

Kyle

HEAD OF MARKETING

Tebogo Pii

WEB DEVELOPER

Siphokazi

OPERATIONS & LOGISTICS MANAGER

Get Involved

For Investors & Municipalities

Partner
With Us

Deploy a RideBox hub in your city, campus, or commercial precinct. You can easily request a pitch deck or schedule an in-depth demo with our founding team to explore the opportunities.

Request a Demo

FAQ

Common Questions, Answered Directly

What is RideBox and how does it differ from Uber or Bolt?

RideBox is a solar-powered e-hailing platform built for South African conditions. Unlike app-only competitors, RideBox operates physical booking hubs that work without internet or electricity — meaning you can book a safe, regulated ride even during heavy load shedding. We also use fixed fares with absolutely no surge pricing.

How does RideBox work during load shedding?

Each RideBox unit is designed to be equipped with embedded solar arrays and lithium battery storage. Our hubs are designed to operate independently of the grid, charging during daylight and providing operational capacity through power interruptions. If local connectivity is reduced, units will use a low-bandwidth cellular fallback to help maintain service.

Where are RideBox hubs currently located?

We are preparing to launch a 21-unit national pilot, with our first site planned for Cape Town Station. Subsequent units will target high-traffic locations including major airports, shopping malls, and university campuses across all 9 provinces. Please reach out to our team for the latest deployment timeline or to register interest in hosting a hub.

How are RideBox drivers screened?

Our driver onboarding process is designed to include comprehensive vetting, such as criminal background checks, vehicle roadworthiness inspections, and platform onboarding assessments. Drivers will be continuously rated by passengers, and our operations team plans regular compliance reviews. Every booking will utilise facial verification to help ensure maximum protection.

What are the fares and is there surge pricing?

RideBox operates strictly on a fixed-fare model. The price you see before you confirm your booking is the exact price you will pay. There are no surge multipliers, no hidden fees, and no last-minute changes. For international tourists, our system automatically handles currency conversions and compares regional prices to guarantee a fair market rate.

How can my organisation partner with RideBox?

We partner heavily with municipalities, universities, airports, and commercial property owners to seamlessly deploy RideBox hubs within their existing transport infrastructure. Our partnerships are highly flexible, ranging from sponsored corporate hubs to full franchise agreements where operators can earn additional income from the integrated ad screens.

Is my personal information safe with RideBox?

Absolutely. RideBox complies strictly with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). We only collect the necessary data to operate the service effectively, we store it securely, and we never sell it to third parties. You can request access to, or the deletion of, your personal data at any time by contacting our support team.