In the heart of Cape Town’s Langa township, a new business is not only providing a much-needed delivery service but also creating job opportunities for young people in one of South Africa’s most underserved communities. What began as a simple idea by law student Colin Mkosi—wanting to avoid a trip to the local shop—has transformed into Cloudy Deliveries, a bicycle-based delivery service that’s now offering more than just convenience: it’s giving young people a chance to earn a living and build a future.
Mkosi told GroundUp that he came up with the concept while studying at home in 2020.
“I thought it would be a great idea to be able to call someone to your house, give them a list of what you wanted, and have them fetch it for a fee,” he said. “And I thought it would be even better if they could use bicycles for efficiency.”
In the suburbs and city center of Cape Town, services like UberEats and Takealot thrive, but they often overlook township areas like Langa, where crime risks and logistical challenges make traditional delivery services less feasible. That’s where Cloudy Deliveries stepped in. With a vision to serve the local community and create employment, Mkosi and his co-founder, Sive Cabuko, launched the service in February 2020, initially with just four second-hand bicycles.
Today, Cloudy Deliveries employs more than a dozen local cyclists, offering a range of services from food and grocery deliveries to laundry pickup and errands such as filling gas tanks and paying bills. In just a few years, the business has created sustainable jobs in an area where youth unemployment is a major issue—over 62% of people aged 15 to 24 in South Africa are out of work.
For many of the young cyclists working for the company, Cloudy Deliveries has provided a much-needed lifeline.
“It gives them an opportunity to do something with their lives, away from the streets and all the negative things that are going on in the community,” said Mkosi, who views the business not just as a service, but as a vehicle for social change.
The company also offers drivers a meal each day, including after-school meals for high school students who work part-time. Additionally, students can use the company’s office space to access computers and reliable internet, providing valuable resources that help them with schoolwork or job applications.
As Cloudy Deliveries continues to grow, Mkosi sees potential to expand beyond Langa, reaching other underserved communities in Cape Town.
“In other Black communities, a service like this is not available,” he said.
“We’d like to introduce it to those communities and see where it takes us.”
With awards like first place in the City of Cape Town’s YouthStart Entrepreneurial Challenge and a win in the 2024 DHL Route to Market Challenge, Cloudy Deliveries has not only proven its business model but also highlighted the power of local entrepreneurship in tackling pressing social issues.
By providing jobs, supporting local youth, and offering a reliable delivery service, the company is making a tangible impact in Langa, with plans to expand its reach and continue to change lives.
Description: Cloudy Deliveries is a bicycle-based delivery service founded by law student Colin Mkosi in Langa township, Cape Town. The company provides essential delivery services, from food and groceries to errands, while creating jobs and opportunities for local youth. Since its launch in 2020, it has grown into a vital community business, supporting young people with income, skills, and access to resources.
Editor’s Note: Mkosi’s story matters because it highlights how innovation and entrepreneurship can directly address social challenges such as youth unemployment and lack of local services. In a community where over 60% of young people are out of work, Cloudy Deliveries offers more than deliveries—it provides livelihoods, practical skills, and hope for a better future. His journey demonstrates the power of locally-driven solutions, showing that one idea, rooted in understanding community needs, can create meaningful economic and social impact.
Editor: Thato Mahlangu
Project manager: Do4SA
