The GOGOs with Vuma digital skills programme continues to equip elderly women nationwide with advanced digital skills, enabling them to navigate in the digital age.
As a testament to the success of this programme, the local grandmothers who took part recently celebrated their graduation, filling Alexandra (Alex) township to the brim with happiness and pride.
These 33 women, who have embraced the digital world through educational platforms, mobile apps and emails, are now fully equipped to support their grandchildren and families with essential digital skills.
For more than four years, the NGO goGOGOgo, through its flagship programme iGOGO, has been instrumental in digitally enabling them across South Africa.
The organisation recognised the need for greater digital literacy among older people in peri-urban areas, leading to initiatives such as the GOGOs with Vuma training programme, in partnership with South Africa’s leading fibre network operator (FNO), Vuma.
Research by goGOGOgo found that many older people were fearful of adopting technology due to mistrust, frustration, doubt and denial.
Speaking about the programme, Jane Simmonds, executive director and founder of goGOGOgo said: “Gogos worry about phishing scams, banking fraud, compromised personal information and their grandchildren’s online safety.
“As they graduate today, we are confident that they have overcome their initial fear of technology with the help of trainers and the support network created through the funding and support of Vuma. Thanks to Vuma, they are now fully fledged participants of this modern digital world.”
According to Simmonds, it’s critical to provide senior citizens with digital literacy to bridge the digital divide and assist their grandchildren’s educational needs, as many of them take on significant care giving responsibilities.
“As we celebrate Women’s Month under the theme, ‘Celebrating 30 Years of Freedom Towards Women’s Development’, we are reminded of the vital role gogos play in socio-economic empowerment since the advent of democracy. Equipping them with digital skills is a sign of recognising their role and value, ensuring that they are not left behind and that they can continue to share their knowledge with the next generation.”
GOGOs with Vuma Training Facilitator Thando Mokoena, an Alex local, says that this project not only helps to improve their lives, but also has a beneficial effect on their families and the Alex community.
Mokoena claims that strengthening the link between generations occurs when grandparents provide their grandchildren with internet access and prepare them for a digital future.
Mokoena is also eager to observe first hand the effects that this programme will have on the elderly women and their grandchildren.
iGOGO, in partnership with the GOGOs with Vuma programme, which rolled out across five provinces — Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Western Cape — aims to achieve a national footprint by the end of this year and reach 200 gogo graduates.
The Star
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za