MONDAY morning blues – work starts in 40 minutes and you have overslept. It takes you 20 minutes to rush through your morning routine and the remainder to get to work.
Not a single taxi in sight. Finally one flashes its lights and stops on your command.
“Klein Windhoek?” you ask.
“Oh aye” the driver replies and off he goes. At this point you know it’s time to call LEFA.
Windhoek taxis, dubbed ‘kudus’ for their notorious driving style, are an inconvenience in that they have to ensure all seats are occupied first before taking you to your destination.
The rise of the sharing economy, which involves the use of technology to facilitate the exchange of goods or services between two or more parties, has given birth to a new player, LEFA, which is looking to shake things up in the transport sector. The service was launched last year.
Pioneered by Melchizedek Ausiku, LEFA, which simply means ‘ride’, is a transport sharing service which allows passengers to hire private drivers through smartphone apps.
Ausiku described LEFA as a service that connects passengers in need of transport to verified drivers that increase safety, reliability and convenience.
“One of LEFA’s main objectives is to change the culture of drinking and driving by providing Namibians with a safe and reliable transportation service. LEFA further aims to capitalise on the growing e-commerce market by providing small package and food delivery services in the near future,” he said.
To use LEFA’s services, one should download the LEFA Namibia application on the App Store for IPhone users and Play Store for Android users.
Melchizedek said there are two LEFA Namibia apps available, one for passengers and the other for LEFA Namibia drivers.
Once the app has been downloaded, a verification PIN needed to activate it will be sent via SMS to the cellphone number entered into the App. Personal details like name, number and picture are requested for submission thereafter to allow the driver to recognise and contact the passenger when they should be picked up.
A passenger should indicate the location of pickup and their destination, which allows the app to calculate the cost of the trip and estimate pick up time.
This enables the app to also link you with the closest LEFA driver to your location and billing starts once you have been pickedup.
The service comprises two options, the economy trip which is a maximum of three passengers and the bus trip which is up to 10 passengers.
The LEFA boss added that just like any other business, challenges arise and at the moment, the most pressing one is the shortage of drivers at certain hours.
As ecommerce becomes more and more popular, individuals and business owners are starting to embrace cashless payment options more than ever.
The cashless payment options mean that local or foreign clients do not have to carry cash with them.
Cashless payment options means clients don’t have to queue up at ATMs to withdraw cash or at exchange bureau outlets to obtain local currency to pay for services or goods. Cashless payment options open your business up to a wider range of clients.
Melchizedek noted that LEFA’s top objective is continuous growth, as they plan launching LEFA at the coastal town of Swakopmund before the festive season.
“Swakopmund is one of Namibia’s top holiday destinations during the festive season, especially in the months of December and January.
“With the festivities come an increase in reported cases of driving under the influence of alcohol. LEFA would like to discourage this behaviour by providing holiday makers with a safe, reliable and convenient transportation service,” he said.
On drivers, the LEFA founder said that all their drivers have PDP endorsed licences obtained at the Namibian Traffic Information System.
These are licenses given to individuals who wish to transport passengers or goods in exchange for money.
Melchizedek described LEFA’s clientele at the moment as comprising 60% commuters and 40% “party-goers”.
“Party goers are defined as clients who make use of the service after hours from 19h00 onwards with the majority using the service for social engagements while commuters are defined as individuals who make use of LEFA during the day for work purposes or any other purpose during 06h00-19h00,” he explained.
According to Melchizedek, the majority of clients that use the service are locals, and occasionally tourists. He also said although they only operate in Windhoek for now, they plan expanding their services to the coast.
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