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Sustainable development

Vodacom and WWF South Africa Collaborate to Save the Oceans

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The partnership between Vodacom South Africa and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) South Africa has set the tone for a global collaboration prioritizing ocean conservation. The partnership, which began in 2010, aims to utilize digital innovation to support the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and protect biodiversity. According to Takalani Netshitenzhe, Chief Officer for External Affairs at Vodacom SA, preserving the oceans is crucial for food security, employment, and environmental impact in South Africa and across Africa.

Key Takeaways:

  • The partnership between Vodacom South Africa and WWF South Africa will focus on developing technological solutions to address conservation problems unique to South Africa.
  • The collaboration will drive awareness of marine ecosystems and ocean literacy under the WWF-SASSI initiative, promoting sustainable patterns of consumption and production.
  • Vodacom SA is investing in providing technological support for the development and growth of innovative technologies, digital decision-making tools, and platforms designed to drive change in the seafood value chain.
  • The WWF-SASSI app is enabling environmentally conscious choices and partnerships like the one with Vodacom are helping to make a sustainable future a reality for coastal towns.
  • The partnership has attracted global interest by displaying how technology can be used to drive environmental education and awareness.
  • The second project utilizes AI technology to protect the whale population and reduce the negative impacts of sustainable farming practices like rope mussel farming.
  • The AI-powered Early Warning System uses cameras and hydrophones to alert aquafarmers to detect the presence of whales in the Saldanha Bay Aquaculture Development Zone (SBADZ).
  • The partnership demonstrates how technology can be used to solve sustainability challenges and help preserve marine life and livelihoods.
  • The WWF-SASSI is a flagship ocean conservation programme supported by a range of wildlife, education, NGO, and other public interest groups.
  • Other WWF programmes based on behaviour change solutions aim to encourage consumers to make more informed and sustainable decisions when choosing their seafood.

Statistics:

  • The fishing industry accounts for less than 1% of South Africa's GDP (SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement).
  • Fish is one of the most traded commodities in the world, with over 50% of trade originating from developing countries.
  • The marine ecosystems, such as the kelp forests, sequester up to 20 times more carbon dioxide per acre than land forests.

Sources:

  • WWF South Africa
  • Vodacom SA
  • SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement

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