Bank addresses adult techno illiteracy
The programme will run on weekends throughout numerous Ekurhuleni centres and libraries starting in September this year
LOCAL and newly registered business Transafrica Mobile Banking has launched a short adult computer education programme to equip the South African adult population with basic computer literacy.
According to the founder of Transafrica Mobile Banking, Iloki Siziba, the lack of efficient computer literacy skills among adults puts South Africans at a disadvantage.
“The programme is inspired by Ekurhuleni’s Smart City growth and development strategy. Ekurhuleni has a vision of being a smart, creative and developmental city by 2025. However, many of the adult population will be excluded from this vision as they are not equipped to make use of its technological benefits,” said Siziba.
“Good products like internet banking and online payments are far under-utilised because the target market of these products is not familiar with technology,” he added.
The programme will run on weekends throughout numerous Ekurhuleni centres and libraries starting in September this year. Recruited working professionals from surrounding businesses will act as tutors at each centre. A trial programme has already been launched in Kempton Park.
“There is no set programme as of yet. The plan is to give each learner 40 hours of lessons. However, it may vary depending on the learning progress of the learner.”
According to Siziba, Transafrica has a venture capital unit that funds technology entrepreneurs. One of the biggest obstacles they have identified in South Africa is the slow take-off of technology innovation companies, which he says can also be attributed to low levels of computer literacy among adults and even young people.
“Most tech entrepreneurs who could have created employment, instead relocate to the USA or abandon their otherwise profitable venture altogether, as the market is in need of a lot of basic computer education which they cannot afford,” said Siziba.
The objective of the programme his company is introducing he said is to bring South Africa in line with the United States in terms of computer literacy among adults by 2030.
His company experiences disinterest with its mobile unit. According to Siziba it has more to do with the low levels of computer literacy of adults among the financially excluded, than with high financial inclusivity in the banking sector.
“Most inventions are overtaken by new inventions before they break even because of the long learning curves.”
Interested adults over 20 years of age are encouraged to visit the registration centre at Angels Internet, Shop 5, Wolf Street Kempton Park, to be registered at a programme centre close to them.
Siziba calls upon other mobile money companies and banks to partner with Transafrica Mobile Banking in the programme and help them to reach their objective sooner. If companies wish to join the initiative, they can contact Transafrica on 082 923 1064/011 394-1735.
