Gobuddy, a homegrown South African technology start-up, is transforming the way e-commerce deliveries reach customers, while creating jobs in the most unexpected places. By tapping into the daily travel routes of ordinary people, Gobuddy empowers anyone commuting by foot, taxi, bus or bike to become part of a growing delivery network and earn income by helping businesses deliver goods faster and more cost-effectively than ever before.
“At its core, Gobuddy is an inclusive, sustainable delivery network,” explains Leon Strumpher, Founder and CEO. “We use world-class route-matching technology to connect customer deliveries in the e-commerce sector to vetted transporters who are already traveling along those routes. This means a commuter can pick up a parcel on their way to work and deliver it the same day — earning 73% of the delivery fee in the process. Our technology guarantees delivery: if a Gobuddy transporter isn’t available, the parcel is seamlessly redirected to the retailer’s traditional courier of choice”.
Gobuddy’s model addresses several long-standing challenges in the courier industry. Traditional delivery companies often exclude informal, underserved and peri-urban communities due to cost and risk classifications. This delivery challenge is often referred to as ‘last-mile-delivery’ and Gobuddy bridges this gap, enabling businesses of all sizes to serve these markets with fast, affordable delivery — while unlocking income for thousands of South Africans.
“Retailers who adopt Gobuddy are doing more than just solving their last-mile-delivery challenges,” adds Strumpher. “They’re helping to restore dignity and hope, becoming the heroes of social upliftment in the communities around them. Each delivery completed through our network helps businesses service existing customers and extends their reach to acquire new customers. But most importantly, it creates income opportunities for everyday South Africans with a strong focus on women empowerment and youth unemployment.”
A big focus for Gobuddy is driving gender equality and unlocking youth employment between the ages of 18 and 34, which is where unemployment is at its highest. Thanks to their partnership with Harambee, the country’s leading youth job-seeker platform, this vision has already made significant strides in the right direction.
Unlike conventional couriers, transporters on the Gobuddy platform don’t need to own a vehicle. They can walk, cycle, or use public transport. Every transporter is verified, deliveries are insured, and transactions are fully digital, ensuring safety and transparency.
The Gobuddy service is simple to adopt. For established ecommerce retailers with websites, Gobuddy offers easy-to-install API plug-ins. This feature allows sellers to integrate the platform into their existing checkout process in under 10 minutes for seamless, automated deliveries and without having to overhaul their current systems.
With a current transporter network of 12 000 strong, the sign-up process to get their small business or side-hustle on the go is simple and carries a low-data-cost compared to other apps and web browsing.
“We aren’t just solving last-mile delivery challenges,” concludes Strumpher. “Through this sustainable delivery network, we’re unlocking opportunities for companies and communities that empower the next generation and build a greener, more inclusive economy.”
