The South African ride-hailing service Wanatu has launched a new subscription service that starts at R99 per month.
The subscription service is split into two tiers known as Wanatu Now and Wanatu Premium, which cost R99 per month and R199 per month, respectively.
The new plans offer discounts on rides, the ability to select a specific driver, reduced wait times, and the ability to set additional stops during a trip.
Memberships will also include access to a loyalty programme, which the company said is “coming soon.” The details of what this programme will entail have yet to be revealed.
The new subscription model comes after Wanatu introduced the biggest upgrade to its mobile app since the service was launched.
The app received a new user interface with an updated design and several new customer-requested features.
Gustav Grotius, Wanatu’s systems and logistics manager, said the update aimed to improve the user experience and introduce features expected by customers.
“We listened to feedback from users and brought improvements that make the app simpler, faster, and more intuitive,” Grotius said.
“The new features give users more control, while the updated design improves the overall user experience.”
One of the new features is the ability to pre-book trips for specific dates and times. The update also introduced a new prepaid wallet, improved navigation, a courier service, and business accounts.
The latest version of the Wanatu app is available on the Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and Huawei App Gallery.
The new app features a yellow icon to distinguish it from the old app’s logo. The old version stopped working on 15 June 2026.
First launched in November 2024, Wanatu has become a popular e-hailing option for residents living in Pretoria and Centurion. It has yet to be introduced in other parts of South Africa.
The service requires its drivers to be fluent in Afrikaans, which led to it being given the nickname “Afrikaans Uber” by locals, though the app and service is also available in English.
New Wanatu subscriptions
Both tiers of the new subscription service offer a 10% discount on rides, though the R99 Now option states the discounts are only available during off-peak times.
Similarly, it lists an off-peak wait time of 10 to 15 minutes. It also allows users to set up to two midpoint stops per trip.
The R199 Premium option eliminates the time restrictions, letting users benefit from the discount and lower wait times during peak hours.
It also increases the cap on midpoint stops from two to three.
One of the main appeals of Wanatu is that it emphasises safety, which has proven to be a major draw at a time when public trust in other e-hailing platforms has eroded.
All of Wanatu’s vehicles are fitted with trackers, panic buttons, and front and inward-facing cameras. This information is shared with a control room that can dispatch emergency responders 24/7.
Unlike other platforms, Wanatu’s drivers are employed full-time and receive a salary, so they receive a fixed income regardless of how many trips they complete.
Its vehicles are also maintained. Drivers are required to drop their cars off at a depot at the end of their shift, ensuring that the car is clean and in working order for the next shift.
In contrast, riders have complained about the potentially unroadworthy cars that drivers on other platforms use.
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