Johannesburg, 04 June 2026 — In a move that underscores how mobility can shape opportunity, Hyundai Automotive South Africa has fully funded learner’s and driver’s licence acquisition for 50 young participants enrolled in its Youth Empowerment Service (YES) programme, easing one of the most persistent financial barriers to employment readiness in South Africa.
The initiative forms part of Hyundai’s structured workplace development ecosystem, where learners are immersed in a blend of skills training, mentorship and practical experience across its nationwide dealership network as well as its head office operations. The programme is designed not only to build technical capability, but also to bridge the often-overlooked gap between education and real-world employability.
Hyundai Automotive South Africa CEO Stanley Anderson said the intervention reflects a growing recognition that mobility is tightly interwoven with economic participation. He noted that in today’s competitive labour environment, a driver’s licence has evolved into a critical credential that can open doors to a wider range of job opportunities, adding that removing financial barriers helps young people translate academic achievement into practical access to work.
Human Resources Director Christine Masinga emphasised that the initiative strengthens the company’s broader investment in youth development. She explained that learners already benefit from structured mentorship and workplace exposure across Hyundai’s operations, and that supporting licence acquisition adds another essential life skill to their development journey, improving their long-term employability prospects.
For participants like Tshiamo Sedikane, the impact has been both practical and personal. She shared that she initially did not view obtaining a driver’s licence as an immediate priority, focusing instead on workplace learning and operational skills. However, she now describes the licence as a confidence-building tool that has enhanced her ability to perform daily tasks more efficiently, highlighting how mobility can subtly transform workplace effectiveness.
The programme arrives against a backdrop of significant national challenge, where millions of young South Africans remain without driver’s licences due to financial and structural constraints. With typical costs for a Code B licence, including driving school lessons, ranging between R3,000 and R4,000, the barrier remains substantial for many households. Transport data further indicates that between 70% and 80% of young people in the country do not hold a valid driver’s licence, reinforcing the scale of the gap Hyundai’s initiative is seeking to address.
By integrating licence support into its YES programme, Hyundai positions mobility not as a luxury, but as a foundational stepping stone toward employment, independence and economic participation, helping to shift the trajectory for young people entering a demanding job market.
