BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE – The Deputy Prime Minister’s Office (DPMO) and the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) have collaborated to use technology to improve lives of elderly people and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The two organisations leveraged the Universal Access and Service Fund (UASF) to spearhead a transformative initiative, bringing hope and progress to the elderly and PWDs throughout the nation.
This partnership underscores a profound commitment to leveraging technology to improve lives, demonstrating tangible results through providing 1,825 touchscreen mobile phones in the financial year 2023/24 across Eswatini. This is in addition to ESCCOM’s contribution in the previous financial year. This initiative not only embodies ESCCOM’s mission to promote universal and inclusive access to technology but also reinforces the government’s dedication to enhancing social protection and support systems.
For the elderly and PWDs, these mobile devices are crucial, serving as gateways to enhanced independence and financial empowerment. The initiative facilitates direct access to grants via mobile money services, empowering beneficiaries by eliminating the need for third-party intermediaries. Furthermore, this programme has ignited an entrepreneurial spark among PWDs, with many embarking on new ventures in mobile wallet services and airtime sales, fostering economic independence and resilience.
Comprehensive outreach efforts further enhance the programme’s success, providing education on cyber security and essential ICT skills to ensure beneficiaries can navigate the digital world safely and effectively. Notably, training programmes in different regions around the country have empowered thousands, illustrating a scalable and impactful model of technological empowerment.
While the capacity-building initiative has already reached over 32,000 elderly and disabled individuals, the pressing demand underscores a significant gap, with nearly 146,554 PWDs in Eswatini still in need of support. This disparity highlights the urgency for on-going and expanded initiatives to eradicate the digital divide. Eswatini’s commitment to this cause is a shining example of how collaborative endeavours can leverage technology for societal benefit, creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for all citizens. This initiative is a compelling affirmation of the principle that in our interconnected world, no individual should be marginalised, and it exemplifies Eswatini’s resolve to ensure that all its citizens can advance together in the digital era. The fund’s work in Eswatini communities is captured on https://uasf.esccom.org.sz/.
