Bolt upgrades Driver app chat with the ability to translate speech-to-text in South Africa. Picture: Supplied
SOME foolish South Africans have started a troubling trend that could hurt e-hailing drivers in both Nigeria and South Africa.
Recently, sections of Mzansi netizens have been ordering Bolt rides in Nigeria and then cancelling them after drivers have waited for a long time.
A trending video on X shows a South African man and others mocking a Nigerian driver named Kotoro-Ola after he cancelled a ride they had booked.
— Jus_Martin (@MSeagi) August 21, 2024
Along with this video, screenshots have emerged online revealing South Africans ordering Bolt rides in Nigeria from their home country, apparently to inconvenience and financially harm Nigerian drivers.
This behaviour comes in the wake of the animosity during the Soweto-born Chidimma Adetshina saga, who was forced to withdraw from Miss South Africa and who is now one of the top 25 leading women in the Miss Universe Nigeria pageant.
The impact on drivers is serious. Nigerian drivers are dealing with wasted time and fuel costs because of these prank requests, especially during a fuel shortage in Nigeria.
This has led to strong reactions on social media, where Nigerians have criticized these actions and pointed out that South Africa has a higher unemployment rate than Nigeria.
@PetiteEbonyGirl posted on X: “South Africans requesting Uber/Bolt in Nigeria is cruel and without reason. With high unemployment in Nigeria, no one should understand the value of income and respect more than South Africans.”
South Africans requesting Uber/Bolt in Nigeria is unnecessarily cruel. There’s no justification for this behaviour. With an unemployment of 33% no one more than South Africans should know the value of any source of income and respect that.
— Petite Ebony Girl 🇵🇸 (@PetiteEbonyGirl) August 21, 2024
In response to these provocations, Nigerians have sought revenge by adopting similar tactics.
They have started requesting Bolt rides in South Africa from Nigeria, causing unnecessary stress and financial loss for South African drivers.
This retaliation has further escalated tensions between the two nations.
The growing backlash from both sides reflects the complex and often competitive relationship between Nigeria and South Africa.
Both countries frequently vie for the title of the best in Africa, and this rivalry extends to cultural claims as well.
For instance, Nigerians claim they invented Amapiano, a popular music genre, while South Africans argue it is their creation.
Nigerians have organized counteractions by gathering drivers in one place and engaging with prank riders by providing unrealistic pickup locations.
This retaliation demonstrates the increasing tensions and competitive spirit between the two countries.
Nigerians have also voiced their frustration online. @UObizzy wrote: “Nigerians have gathered all South African Bolt drivers in one place! Well done to everyone! Tinubu would be proud!”
Nigerians don mount all South African Bolt drivers for one place😂!!! I hail theee my people! Tinubu will be proud of us✅✅✅✅😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/uUKpCxjx3Z
— UG (@UObizzy) August 22, 2024
@realdoctorbarn added: “Bolt’s failure to manage abuse is letting users in both countries hurt local drivers. It’s time for @boltapp to fix this issue.”
Bolt's lack of strict controls is allowing users in both South Africa and Nigeria to exploit and harm local drivers. By not addressing this abuse, @boltapp is fueling tensions and letting its platform be misused. It's time for Bolt to step up and take charge of this situation.
— Dr. Barn (@RealDoctorBarn) August 22, 2024
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