Rachel Mutimba is not your typical school driver. Every day, she drives through the bustling streets of Berea, Parktown, Hillbrow and Braampark, ensuring around 40 children reach school and home safely. Her secret, she said, is patience. “You need to focus on the road, on the children, and stay calm, even in the busiest traffic,” she explained.

Rachel’s journey began during the Covid-19 pandemic when she started taking her own child to Uthando Centre at Afrika Tikkun. Along the way, she offered lifts to other children she passed. Parents quickly recognised her reliability and warmth, and what began as a simple gesture soon grew into a trusted service.

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Joining the Discovery Safe Journey to School programme allowed Mutimba to formalise her work and focus on safety. She invested in an eight-seater vehicle, obtained her professional driving permit, and completed defensive driving and first aid training. Her commitment to safe driving has earned her recognition as one of Johannesburg’s top scholar drivers, achieving fifth place in the national DSJTS awards in her first year.

For Mutimba, driving is more than a job. Many children she transports have known her since they were three years old, calling her Aunty Rachel. She ensures each child reaches their gate safely before she drives away, creating bonds that go far beyond a school run.

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Mutimba’s story proves that a passion for child safety, combined with dedication and patience, can transform an everyday role into a meaningful calling. She is making a real difference, one child at a time.

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