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 licences 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 licence is a gateway into key industries in the Brits and surrounding areas, like logistics, manufacturing, retail and transport. However, the cost of obtaining a licence, 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 licence 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 licence, 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 licence, we hope to give these learners greater confidence and access to the opportunities that mobility makes possible.”
About Project Turnkey
Project Turnkey is a youth development initiative led by Bridgestone South Africa in partnership with Wheel Well. The programme supports 62 learners from five secondary schools in Madibeng Local Municipality through the full process of obtaining their learner’s and driver’s licences, including road safety education, theory preparation and practical driving training all fully funded. By removing the financial and structural barriers to obtaining a licence, the initiative aims to help young South Africans access mobility and the employment opportunities that often depend on it.
About Bridgestone Corporation
Bridgestone is a global leader in tyres and sustainable mobility solutions. Headquartered in Tokyo, the company employs approximately 130,000 people globally and operates in over 150 countries. Bridgestone offers a premium product portfolio backed by innovative technology, improving how people move, live, work, and play.
About Wheel Well
Wheel Well empowers children and families with education and resources for safer travel. The NGO refurbishes and redistributes used car seats to families in need over 12,000 seats donated to date and works to raise awareness about road safety for children.