Retail giant Shoprite revealed on Monday that only 23% of drivers on its recently acquired Pingo delivery platform are South African citizens. This statistic has raised questions about the representation of locals within the company’s driver workforce and highlighted ongoing challenges in attracting South Africans to such roles.

Chairperson Wendy Lucas-Bull addressed the issue, explaining that while the company is committed to employing South Africans, the work appears less appealing to local job seekers. She noted that the drop-out rate for South African participants in Shoprite’s driver programs is as high as 80%, with many drivers leaving the role after just a few months.

Pingo, Shoprite’s delivery platform, is instrumental in managing the rising demand for online shopping and rapid home delivery across South Africa. However, the low retention rate among South African drivers suggests that the job’s demands or conditions may not align with their expectations or needs. Lucas-Bull did not specify the reasons for the high drop-out rate but indicated that it poses a significant challenge to maintaining a locally representative workforce.

The statistic has sparked debate among labor experts and community leaders, who argue that job conditions, pay, and benefits may play a role in the lack of sustained interest among South African drivers. There is also speculation that the irregular hours, physical demands, and potential safety risks of delivery work could contribute to the reluctance of locals to remain in these roles.