Vodacom uses digital technologies to empower South African women farmers

The Vodacom Foundation has announced its plans to develop its digital literacy programme for women farmers countrywide in South Africa after a successful pilot in four provinces.

The pilot programme was introduced in 2018 by the Vodacom Foundation, UN Women, and South African Women In Farming (SAWIF) with the aim of bridging the digital divide by equipping women farmers with digital skills and empowering them to actively participate in the digital economy. Through the pilot, 600 women small-holder farmers have received digital skills training.

According to Takalani Netshitenzhe, chief officer of corporate affairs at Vodacom, the programme is in line with the company’s adoption of the sustainable development goals, focusing primarily on eliminating poverty and hunger.