Uber has announced its expansion into more than 21 smaller cities and towns across South Africa, according to Daily Maverick.

The service now serves more than 80% of the urban population across nine provinces. The new Uber centres are Polokwane, Cape West Coast (Vredenburg, Saldanha, Langebaan), Mbombela (previously Nelspruit), Newcastle, Mthatha, Thohoyandou, Upington, Margate, Richards Bay, Welkom, Phuthaditjhaba, Ermelo, Queenstown, Garden Route (Mossel Bay, George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay), Kimberley, Emalahleni, Middelburg, Worcester, Rustenburg, Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp.

“During this crisis, platforms like Uber can fuel an economic recovery by quickly giving people flexible work to get back on their feet. At a time when we need more jobs, not fewer, Uber is providing locals with the opportunity to become small business owners,” said the company.