Vodacom and Samsung are putting their money with their mouths are - from its side, Vodacom has pledged R40 million to the National Department of Health, along with 100 terabytes of data and 10 million voice calls minutes.  

As well, in partnership with Samsung, the telecom’s giant has donated 20 000 smartphones.

Both are intended to support efforts in combatting the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in South Africa, with the donation being used  by frontline health workers to collect and transmit data in real time for resource planning purposes as government accelerates its COVID-19 testing campaign.

Each of the 20 000 smartphones will be loaded with 5GB of data and 500 voice minutes to be used to facilitate the immediate collection and transmission of data to the National Department of Health COVID-19 Information Centre to assist with resource distribution planning. Samsung Africa will cover the cost of 5 000 of the 20 000 devices.

Commenting on the R40 million donation, Shameel Joosub, Vodacom Group CEO, said: “Through this initiative, Vodacom seeks to support government’s objectives to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 by flattening the curve and lowering the infection rate.”

“Achieving this will require a massive collaborative effort and we’re delighted with Samsung Africa’s investment of 5000 smartphones into this initiative. Vodacom is willing and committed to do whatever we can to help,” he continued.

“As Samsung we are conscious of the increasingly important role technology will have in the fight against COVID-19. Our frontline workers need to be equipped with secure smart phones that enable quick contact tracing and communication in order to slow down the rate of infections in the country,” added Sung Yoon, the President & CEO of Samsung Africa

“Dealing with the pandemic requires a strong collaboration between Government and the private sector and we are honoured to have been able to contribute on this project with Vodacom. As a partner to South Africa we also wanted acknowledge the Government’s efforts to date and are committed to assisting where we can,” he concluded.