The digital divide is particularly stark in South African townships, which are typically underdeveloped and neglected areas with high rates of poverty, unemployment and crime. But these entrepreneurs are on a mission to change that
Today, the 21-year-old runs a production company with his brother and tutors students from townships – deprived, urban areas formed under the apartheid government for people of colour – to become more tech-savvy and enhance their job prospects.
The “digital divide” – the gap between those who have access to technology and the internet and those who do not – is of rising concern to tech experts in African nations, which have some of the world’s lowest internet connectivity rates. “We should utilise smart technology platforms to help others achieve a better life, however, technology is not the answer by itself,” he said, adding that the government and public need to address wider social issues such as hunger and crime.Tomorrow Trust provides orphans and vulnerable children with educational and psychosocial support, as well as feeding programmes.
“We saw students connecting and helping one another out with learning online. It was awesome to see,” said Marakalala, who hails from Tembisa, a township in the East Rand.“Before, everyone said they wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer. But now they are thinking about the tech industry, so we are equipping them for jobs of the future,” she said.While the Tomorrow Trust looks to increase digital literacy, other organisations are striving to improve internet access.
Local government and donors sponsor the infrastructure and data costs, allowing “WiFi entrepreneurs” from low-income areas to sell affordable WiFi and make a profit on each sale. About 6 000 traders place 50 daily orders on average through Vuleka, which helps them build a credit score to eventually take out bank loans.“If we don’t digitise this space, we risk not being able to sustain our economy.”Tech experts say that South Africa’s rural areas risk missing out on technological advancements too.
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