This post stars Evelyn, one our Transport and Logistics drivers in Wedza, Zimbabwe.
In a group called “Blue Star” with partner, Josephine, the pair have been using the Hamba for 2 years. Evelyn explained, “I usually use Hamba to take loads of firewood as taxi or pregnant women to the clinic.”
“I use it almost everyday, mostly people do planned rides where someone calls me the day before or people will ask me on the day, almost everyday I’m on the road. We [Josephine and Evelyn] exchange the hamba for 2 weeks at a time so then we can to other activities at our homes in the meantime.”
Compared to other transport in the area , (Mushikashikas, usually a Honda Fit) Evelyn explained that the Hamba is usually more preferable for passengers:
“We try to charge below the mushikashika rates and we adjust to be below theirs. Also, in the small car people are usually squeezed in so it’s actually more comfortable in the Hamba where maximum capacity is 3-4 people so you can stretch your legs and sit properly - this is much preferable for older or pregnant people. We also offer door-to-door services!”
When asked about life before the hamba she told us, “I mainly did horticulture - growing in my garden with vegetables. Or I would do buying and selling of second hand clothes which I’d have to travel for to then bring back to our area.
But this wasn’t giving me as much business compared to the Hamba.” She smiled, saying, “because Mobility for Africa expects me to really use the Hamba: if I work very hard then I can get a big commission!”
After all, the Hamba means “let’s go” and that’s what MFA aspires for the electric 3-wheelers - to be used, to increase mobility, to increase productivity! ⬆️
#development #ruraldevelopment #ruralafrica #zimbabwe #emobility #emobilityrevolution
