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Image: Western Cape Gov
Thousands of unemployed residents across the Cape Town metro are now one step closer to gaining employment, thanks to an expanded Western Cape Government initiative offering free travel to job seekers.
The “Getting YOU to Work” Jobseeker Travel Voucher Programme, which was launched in February 2024, has entered its second phase.
The initiative, driven by the provincial government’s Mobility Department, aims to remove transport barriers for unemployed individuals trying to access job opportunities.
To date, the programme has reached over 3,000 job seekers and partnered with more than 150 employers.
According to the government, nearly half of those who used the vouchers during the first phase have since secured employment.
The second phase of the programme was officially launched in June 2025 at the Mitchells Plain Town Centre Library, where more than 300 job seekers received Gold Cards that allow them to travel for free using Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS).
What sets this new phase apart is the introduction of self-registration. Previously, job seekers could only access vouchers through employers who nominated them. Now, eligible individuals can apply directly on the Online Portal, making the programme more accessible to the broader public.
“Transport becomes an obstacle to residents achieving their full potential. With Phase 2, we’re expanding our reach and making it easier for more job seekers to register and benefit,” said Muneera Allie, Head of Communications for the Mobility Department.
The travel vouchers cover six free trips on GABS buses, valid Monday to Friday between 9am and 3pm. These trips can be used to attend job interviews, submit CVs, or pursue skills training across the Cape Town metropolitan area.
To qualify, applicants must:
Be unemployed
Hold a valid South African ID
Register on the Jobseeker Portal, or be registered by a participating organisation
The initiative is targeted particularly at high-unemployment areas such as Mitchells Plain, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Delft, and Philippi.
Employers, NGOs, and NPOs actively recruiting or supporting job seekers can also register on the portal to nominate candidates for vouchers. To qualify, organisations must be registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), the Department of Social Development, or function as a public entity.
“This programme is designed to support both job seekers and employers,” said Mobility MEC Isaac Sileku. “We know from our data that those who received vouchers were more likely to attend interviews, secure work, and participate in skills development.”
The programme is part of the Western Cape Government’s Growth 4 Jobs Strategy, an economic development plan aimed at growing the province’s economy and tackling unemployment, which currently stands at around 20%.
“Transport costs are one of the most frequently cited obstacles among job seekers,” said Sileku. “By eliminating this barrier, we’re unlocking pathways to employment that were previously out of reach for many.”
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Image: UVA Africa
In a parallel effort to stimulate employment and innovation in the creative sectors, Cape Town recently saw the launch of the Timbuktoo Creative Hub in District Six.
Backed by UNDP and UVU Africa, this hub offers free co-working spaces, mentorship, Wi‑Fi, and sector-specific support, spanning animation, music, fashion tech, AR/VR, and more
The hub forms part of the broader UNDP Timbuktoo initiative, aiming to empower creative entrepreneurs and activate Cape Town's “imagination economy.”