Johannesburg – TikTok has partnered with ThinkWifi to pilot 50 free wi-fi hotspots in South Africa and has launched in Soweto, Khayelitsha, Guguletu and Bushbuckridge.
The pilot programme comes as the world commemorated World Literacy Day on Thursday under the theme “Transforming Literacy Learning Spaces”. The initiative aims to contribute towards bridging the digital divide and promoting internet accessibility.
“TikTok recognises itself as one of the biggest industry players in the digital space on a global level and therefore acutely aware of the role it plays in fostering digital equality,” said Fortune Mgwili-Sibanda, TikTok’s director of government relations and public policy for sub-Saharan Africa.
“We understand that as an entertainment platform accessible on mobile devices, TikTok plays an important role in the digital world.”
With this pilot programme, TikTok hoped to encourage more people to join digital spaces such as its platform, Mgwili-Sibanda added.
“This is not only to create content but to learn new skills and educate fellow community members about their passion and interests.”
TikTok’s partnership with ThinkWifi is part the platform’s commitment to empower local communities, Mgwili-Sibanda said.
According to Statistics South Africa, only 37% of households had access to the internet through cellphones or computers. In addition, places of learning and opportunities were continuously changing, leaving the digital literacy gap wider, Mgwili-Sibanda said.
She explained that the pilot was aimed at driving awareness of and advocacy about the digital divide and the need for digital literacy inclusion for all communities.
ThinkWifi CEO Janine Rebelo agreed, saying: “Opportunities on the internet for our youth are endless but many South Africans do not have access to digital hardware, digital literacy skills and internet connectivity.
“The latter reality is exacerbated by the high cost of data and the limited availability of infrastructure to support broadband penetration targets. We are delighted to contribute towards bridging the digital divide, promoting internet accessibility and reducing digital inequalities in our country.”
The TikTok Wifi hotspot pilot is expected to run for 6 months.
For more information,visit www.thinkwifi.online