Bridgestone South Africa has launched Project Turnkey, a nine-month initiative that will support 62 grade 12 learners from five secondary schools in Madibeng Local Municipality, North West Province, in obtaining their learner’s and driver’s licenses at no cost.
The programme will guide learners from Mogale Secondary School, Thaba Morula Secondary School, Eletsa Secondary School, Michael Modisakeng Secondary School and Mothotlung Secondary School through learner’s licence theory training, road safety education and practical driving lessons, culminating in their official driver’s licence tests.
Brits is home to Bridgestone’s manufacturing plant in Southern Africa, a facility that has anchored the local economy and employed generations of residents. Yet youth unemployment in the Madibeng Local Municipality – which includes Brits – remains above 40%, according to the Statistics South Africa Community Survey 2022. Nationally, 43.8% of South Africans aged 15–34 are unemployed, based on the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (2025 Q4).
For many young people in the area, a driver’s license is a gateway into key industries in the Brits and surrounding areas, like logistics, manufacturing, retail and transport. However, the cost of obtaining a license, combined with the lack of structured support, often places it out of reach.
Jacques Rikhotso, Bridgestone Regional Vice President for Africa Middle East, says the initiative reflects the company’s long-standing relationship with the town. “We have built tyres in this town for 55 years, and that means this community’s challenges are our challenges too. We see talented young people who are ready to work but are being held back by barriers that are entirely solvable. Project Turnkey is about removing one of those barriers.
A driver’s license is not just a document for many young people – it is a pathway to employment.”
Over the next eight months, participants will progress from theory preparation to practical driving experience, leaving the programme not only with a driver’s license, but also with the road safety knowledge and confidence required to drive responsibly.
CSI Manager Chantel Baxter says the initiative aligns with Bridgestone’s broader vision of enabling safer and more accessible mobility. “At Bridgestone, we believe mobility can change lives. Project Turnkey reflects our commitment to supporting the communities around our Brits plant by helping young people gain a practical skill that improves their independence and employability.
By removing the financial barriers to obtaining a driver’s license, we hope to give these learners greater confidence and access to the opportunities that mobility makes possible.”