At the heart of Vodacom is the belief that mobile communication technologies can address some of the country’s most pressing humanitarian challenges, resulting in our focus on the use of innovative technology to mobilise social change.
To achieve this objective we invest in health and education projects that make use of mobile technology. We also engage our customers and employees, and provide the necessary tools and platforms for them to join us to make a difference in our communities.
Since 1999, we have partnered with a number of reputable charitable organisations, granting R660 million towards programmes that are directed by our strategy and our board of trustees.
Our Corporate Social Investment programmes and campaigns are:
Vodacom Mobiles for Good in Education and Health
We partnered with the Department of Basic Education, Microsoft, Cisco and Mindset to establish the Vodacom Mobile Education Programme. Collectively, we have identified the need for teachers to be empowered with access to Information Communication Technology (ICT) and skills that will make teaching and learning more interesting.
Vodacom SMS Fundraising
We provide two fast and simple SMS platforms for our customers who wish to make a cash donation towards a cause that is important to them. With Vodacom Red Alert our customers can donate from R10 up to R200 via SMS towards an international or local disaster relief fund.
Vodacom Beneficiary Partners
By selecting our partners carefully, we ensure our charitable investments maximise results and are committed to innovative programmes that align to our strategy in health, education and orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC’s) and the use of Information Communication Technology to deliver social impact. We support non profit organisations with a proven track record in making a sustainable difference in communities across South Africa.
Vodacom Bursaries
Vodacom is committed to addressing the ICT skills shortage in South Africa. To address this need, we provide fifty students with bursaries annually to study in fields in which there are skills shortages. Top-achieving students from disadvantaged communities are chosen to study in the ICT and engineering sectors. Since the scheme was started in 1999, more than 1 000 bursaries have been awarded.
Vodacom Volunteers
The Vodacom Volunteers programme was established in 2006 and creates practical opportunities within a secure environment for our employees to volunteer their goods, time, skills and cash.
Each of our employees has 16 hours paid leave per annum to perform volunteer activities. During July, Vodacom employees are encouraged to join in “Change the World” community activities during company time, with tools and equipment provided by the Foundation.
Vodacom further support’s a culture of volunteering by matching funds raised by employees and offers financial support towards the purchase of equipment and tools when a Vodacom team performs volunteer activities. We have created a simple and fast online platform for our employees to make cash contributions to a charity. From as little as R5 per month they can select one or more of 19 charities to receive a monthly donation. 100% of the funds reach the charity and the Foundation match employee contributions with 50 cents to the Rand.
