To help students stay on track to successfully complete the 2020 academic year despite not being on campus, Vodacom has partnered with the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) in Johannesburg to keep students connected to higher learning activities.
WITS is one of the most iconic and long-standing universities within South Africa and is internationally recognised for its research and high academic standards. To ensure that all students at WITS are given an opportunity to complete the 2020 academic year, Vodacom has committed to providing each student with a 30GB data bundle to remain connected and continue their education while they are away from campus.
“We can all agree that success begins with education. For many students, remote learning is a challenge as they do not have the means to access online learning materials. As remote learning becomes a necessity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Vodacom Business is proud to partner with WITS to support education and the development of tomorrow’s future business leaders by keeping students connected. Investing in education and improving connectivity plays a key role in fast-tracking our country into the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” says William Mzimba, Chief Officer for Vodacom Business.
“WITS University is committed to ensuring that its students can access online teaching and learning through the provision of devices and data. This partnership with Vodacom provides our students with the data required to continue with their education and to move forward with their studies,” says Shirona Patel, WITS spokesperson.
The recurring data bundle provides WITS students with access to learning sites for up to a maximum of 30GB per month. Non-Vodacom WITS students were given the option to purchase a R5 Vodacom sim card and then RICA it at any Vodacom-accredited outlet. To receive this data allocation, students needed to update their new Vodacom phone number as part of their student record with the University. As part of the package and agreement with the university, Vodacom agreed to reimburse students for the cost of the sim card with airtime to the value of R5.
This offer is valid from 5 June on a rolling month- to- month basis and is made up of 10GB any time URL data to access specific University sites for e-learning and home study, and 20GB night owl data, valid between 00:00 and 04:59 daily.
If students deplete their free bundle, they can top up their data by dialling *135# or visit MyVodacom app if they are a Top Up or Prepaid customer. Credit card payment options are now available for all data bundle purchases on the MyVodacom app. Data bundles will be allocated to students monthly, with the full amount given on the 1st of each month.
