Latest news with #EskomSePush
Zawya
29-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
From mobile banking to digital democracy: Technology helps economic freedom
April is Freedom Month in South Africa. It is a good time to think about what freedom really means in our daily lives. One important kind of freedom is economic freedom – the ability to earn money, build a future, and make your own choices. Today, technology is helping more people in South Africa to join the economy and improve their lives. Mobile banking has helped a lot. Services like MTN Mobile Money, Vodacom's M-Pesa, and other digital wallets make it easier for people to send and receive money, save, or even borrow small amounts. This helps especially those who live in rural areas or have low incomes. Now, many people who could not use normal banks have better control over their money. They can grow small businesses, support their families, and make financial choices more freely. But technology is not only about banking. It also helps with daily life. A good example is EskomSePush, a popular app that tells people when loadshedding will happen. In South Africa, power cuts can stop people from working or studying. This app helps everyone plan their day better. It has also helped neighbours to connect. People often use the app to check if others nearby have power problems before they contact the municipality. This shows how simple technology can help people feel more in control and more connected to their community. There are still challenges, though. Not everyone has access to good internet or a smartphone. Some people also need help learning how to use technology safely. To make sure technology helps everyone, we need better internet access everywhere, good training, and clear rules to protect people online. As we celebrate Freedom Month, let's remember that technology is more than just a tool. It helps build a fair and free future. When used properly, technology can help more South Africans find their voice, earn money, and choose their own path.
Mail & Guardian
24-04-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Bridging the Digital Divide: Lessons from popular online platforms in South Africa
In a nation where access to digital infrastructure is still uneven, the platforms South Africans choose to engage with provide insightful analysis of what consumers most value. Clear returns platforms—like Digital Access as a Socio-Economic Indicator There are deeper These restrictions challenge education, employment, and civic participation in addition to entertainment or communication. In this regard, the digital platforms that can satisfy consumers on both sides of this Learning from High-Traffic Platforms A closer look at the most used online platforms in South Africa reveals consistent traits: simplicity, speed, dependability, and a focus on low-data functionality. Platforms like WhatsApp, which allows low-bandwidth communication, or EskomSePush, which provides real-time essential load-shedding schedules, show how important function-oriented design is for inclusion. South Africans clearly choose The fundamental lesson here is that, regardless of their field of expertise, digital platforms should be open, quick, and sensitive to the socioeconomic reality of those whom they assist. When reaching out to communities who lack digital trust or are new to the internet, this becomes even more important. Digital Inequality and the Role of Regulation The National Development Plan of South Africa describes internet access as the driving force of inclusive economic development. Still, development has been slow. The World Bank claims that even with excellent mobile penetration, affordability and quality of service remain significant obstacles. The A multi-pronged approach—private sector innovation, community-based digital literacy programs, and government policy working in tandem—is needed to significantly reduce this disparity. Regulation has to go beyond compliance and strongly support systems that allow equitable access, transparent functionality, and actual benefits for consumers. A Future Built on Digital Trust Trust continues to be the currency of the internet, especially in nations where previous injustices have led to consumer mistrust. Many South Africans base their digital decisions not just on functionality but also on the apparent fairness of a platform. This is why open platforms—those that explicitly state results, expenses, and advantages—earn a stronger foothold. Technology by itself is not going to close the digital gap. Systems that honor both users' limitations and aspirations will help to bridge it. Ultimately, the success of any digital project in South Africa will rely on its ability to win the trust of the people it seeks to assist through clarity, accessibility, and performance as well as on its awareness of the people that it targets.
