The most common mistake people make when using an Uber in South Africa

Uber’s Lost and Found Index has revealed the top ten items South Africans usually forget when using its e-hailing service.

E-hailing is an essential service that has become a routine tool for many South Africans thanks to its convenience and utility.

This is clear based on Uber’s rider numbers, as it recently revealed that for the fourth quarter of 2024, the service had 1.4 million active monthly riders.

With this many riders each month, it’s unsurprising that Uber was able to compile a list of misplaced items from its customers.

Below are the top ten items that South Africans forget during their e-hailing drive.

• Phones and cameras – Smartphones and other small gadgets can easily slip out of pockets or be left on car seats when your attention is elsewhere.
• Keys – Much the same as your phone, your keys can easily be misplaced or lost if you’re not paying attention during the drive.
• Backpacks/bags/luggage – When you’re in a rush or tired, it can be very easy to forget about a bag or backpack after you arrive at your destination.
• Wallets/purses – Potentially one of the most damaging losses, as many wallets and purses contain one’s various cards and cash.
• Glasses – Assuming you don’t need to wear glasses continuously, it’s all too easy to forget about them after you’ve taken them off.
• Headphones/speakers – If you’re coming from a party, it can be easy to forget a speaker or pair of headphones in the car.
• Clothing – Be it a jacket or jersey, once taken off, accidentally leaving it in the car is the easiest thing in the world.
• Passports – Travellers making use of Uber frequently misplace their passports, especially if they’re tired from travelling and not paying attention to where they put them.
• Vapes/E-cigs – Many South Africans carry their vapes or E-cigs habitually and as a result can become complacent.
• Water bottles/thermoses – A similar situation to vapes and E-cigs, where after using it and putting it to the side, there’s a good chance of forgetting it in the car.

If you’re a frequent Uber user, you should take this list to heart and make an effort to ensure you always have your possessions with you after the ride.

Uber’s growth

Uber has seen consistent and considerable growth in South Africa, with it reporting to News24 that it had 1.4 million monthly riders and 52,000 drivers as of the fourth quarter of 2024.

It also noted that its gross bookings in 2024 grew by 18%.

Uber Eats has also seen impressive growth, boasting 30 million orders made in 2024 and 12,000 drivers delivering the meals.