Through a partnership between SOS Children’s Villages in South Africa and Stellantis, a global automotive manufacturer, 800 young people like Lesedi are gaining access to driving lessons and licence support, helping them unlock employment and independence.
“Having a driver’s licence is truly life-changing, especially in rural areas like mine where public transport is limited,” says Lesedi. “Being able to drive allows me a sense of independence and opens up job opportunities in sectors that were once male-dominated.
“I feel empowered to dream bigger for myself and for my future,” she says.
Creating opportunities for youth
The driver’s license project targets young people under the age of 25 — including care leavers and participants from SOS Children’s Villages’ community-based Family Strengthening Programmes (FSPs). All participants are registered on the YouthLinks digital platform, where they receive mentorship and job-search support alongside the driving lessons.
The driver’s licence initiative is made possible through the support of Stellantis’ philanthropy programme, which aims to expand access to education and employment for young people. It responds to South Africa’s critical youth unemployment crisis.
According to Statistics South Africa, the unemployment rate among young people aged 15 to 24 reached 62.4% in the first quarter of 2025 — one of the highest in the world. Among those aged 15 to 34, nearly half (46.1%) are unemployed, and 58.7% of unemployed youth report having no previous work experience.
Lesedi’s story: A road to independence
Lesedi, a participant in the Family Strengthening Programme in Sekhukhune, knows first-hand how a driver’s license can make a difference. She is completing a community development learnership at the SOS Children’s Village Sekhukhune Social Centre while upgrading her matric results to study transport and logistics next year.
Having a driver’s licence, she says, is increasingly a requirement for most job opportunities — from truck driving to positions in government services such as the police or metro police training.
Getting her licence gave her practical experience and mobility, which are essential in the transport and logistics field. She saw it as a chance to make herself more employable and better prepared to understand and manage real transport operations.
“I believe that a programme like this is important because it gives young people in rural areas access to opportunities they might not otherwise have. Having a driver's license can help them find jobs, study further and become more independent, especially where transport is limited. It helps bridge the gap between rural and urban areas, empowering young people to build better futures,” says Lesedi.
For young women in particular, the programme has an added impact. Nearly half of young women in South Africa (48.1%) are not in employment, education, or training — a rate higher than that of young men (42.2%). The initiative gives young women a practical skill that increases employability and self-reliance, especially in areas where opportunities for women are limited.
A skill that lasts a lifetime
Lesedi hopes more young people will take advantage of the programme.
“I would encourage others to join,” she concludes. “A driver’s licence is highly beneficial, especially for those in rural areas with limited opportunities. It is a valuable practical skill that stays with you for life.
“This programme empowers young women like me. It’s not only changing lives — it’s building futures.”