JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Vodacom Business, in collaboration with Anani Technologies and the University of South Africa (UNISA), has inaugurated a new call center designed to tackle South Africa’s growing unemployment crisis.
The initiative comes at a critical time, as the country’s unofficial employment rate has soared to 33.5% in the second quarter of 2024, the highest in over two decades.
Creating jobs and empowering women
The newly launched call center has already begun making a significant impact by creating much-needed jobs.
Notably, at launch, over 50% of the center’s employees are women, a milestone the firm celebrated during Women’s Month.
Videsha Proothveerajh, director of Vodacom Business, emphasized the importance of such partnerships in addressing unemployment: “At Vodacom, we partner with likeminded brands with a shared vision and purpose to create an impact in our communities and the country.”
“We are proud of the number of women this initiative has onboarded. We remain committed to making impactful changes in our communities for the greater good,” Proothveerajh added.
Supporting distance learning and SME growth
The call center also plays a crucial role in supporting UNISA’s distance learning programs, which serve students across the continent.
The center has already achieved impressive performance metrics, including a 98% service level, an 85% first contact resolution score, and a low abandonment rate of 0.74%.
Sibusiso Mthembu, director of Supply Chain Management at UNISA, highlighted the significance of the call center in connecting the university with its widespread student base. “At UNISA, we are proud of the partnership we have forged with Vodacom Business. The call center aims at bridging the gap between the university and our students,” he said.
In addition to supporting distance learning, Vodacom Business has invested in Anani Technologies, an SME partner, to provide desk support for UNISA’s mobile internet services.
Anani Technologies’ Managing Director, Derrick Kupa, expressed pride in their role, stating, “This call center represents Vodacom and UNISA’s commitment to supporting SMEs and creating tangible opportunities for economic growth through enterprise development and youth employment.”
“We believe SMEs are critical for economic growth and employment. By providing them with business support and innovative technology, we aim to build an inclusive, sustainable, and trusted digital society where individuals and businesses can thrive,” Proothveerajh stated.
