GAUTENG DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE SHOPRITE GROUP STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH AND TOWNSHIP ECONOMY

The Gauteng Department of Economic Development (GDED) has entered into
a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Shoprite Group to
advance inclusive economic growth, strengthen job creation initiatives
and expand opportunities within the digital and logistics economy.

  The agreement formalises collaboration between government and Africa’s
largest retailer, with a primary focus on scaling the implementation of
the Last Mile Delivery Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at
connecting Gauteng residents, particularly young people, to sustainable
economic opportunities.

  Through this partnership, the Group, via Pingo Delivery , will
facilitate the onboarding of beneficiaries who successfully completed
the Last Mile Delivery Programme into its delivery ecosystem, providing
participants with direct access to income-generating opportunities
within the fast-growing e-commerce and delivery sector.

  GDED will play a central role in identifying, recruiting, and training
participants to ensure that beneficiaries are equipped with the
necessary skills and support to participate effectively in the
programme. The collaboration also includes driver development,
operational coordination, data sharing, safety measures and the
advancement of green mobility solutions.

  The Last Mile Driver Development Programme, established by the Gauteng
Department of Economic Development over four years ago, has already
trained approximately 780 drivers and facilitated placement
opportunities across 26 delivery platforms, connecting beneficiaries to
real market opportunities in the digital economy.  This initiative forms
part of our e-Commerce, Transport and Logistics Action Lab, a
collaborative platform that brings together government, industry, and
development partners to identify and address systemic challenges within
the logistics and transport ecosystem in Gauteng.

  A successful pilot linked to the Shoprite Sixty60 rollout, has further
strengthened the programme’s impact, with more than 100 trained
beneficiaries supported through recruitment processes across multiple
Gauteng locations.

  Gauteng Economic Development, Agriculture and Rural Development MEC
Vuyiswa Ramokgopa said the partnership demonstrated government’s
commitment to working with the private sector to unlock inclusive growth
and drive meaningful economic transformation.

  “This agreement represents a practical step towards ensuring that our
economic programmes translate into real opportunities for our people. By
partnering with industry leaders such as the Shoprite Group, we are able
to connect skills development to market access, support job creation and
ensure that young people, in particular, are able to participate in the
digital economy,” said MEC Ramokgopa.

  Shoprite Checkers’ Enterprise and Government Relations Executive Maude
Modise lauded this joint initiative:

  “This partnership reflects the power of collaboration between the
public and private sectors to unlock meaningful economic opportunities.
By linking skills development to real pathways into the digital and
logistics economy, we are able to provide participants with access to
income-generating opportunities while supporting the growth of a more
inclusive and sustainable ecosystem.”

  GDED Head of Department Motlatjo Moholwa added that the MOU provides a
structured platform to scale impact and strengthen implementation across
programmes.

  “This partnership builds on a proven model that has already
demonstrated its ability to connect beneficiaries to real employment
opportunities. Through this collaboration, we are strengthening
coordination, improving efficiency and ensuring that our interventions
deliver sustainable outcomes for communities across Gauteng,” the Head
of Department said.

  The MOU establishes governance structures, including a Joint Technical
Team and a Project Steering Committee, to oversee implementation, ensure
alignment between stakeholders and monitor progress against agreed
outcomes.

  The Gauteng Department of Economic Development reaffirmed that
partnerships of this nature are central to building a more inclusive and
resilient provincial economy. By linking skills development initiatives
with real economic opportunities, the programme directly contributes to
employment creation and supports the participation of historically
marginalised communities in mainstream economic activity.