Digital Mobility Education Initiative Unveiled by inDrive and goGOGOgo for Senior Women in South Africa

Digital Mobility Education Initiative Unveiled by inDrive and goGOGOgo for Senior Women in South Africa

Empowering Older Women in South Africa Through Digital and Mobility Literacy

A community-driven initiative, spearheaded by ride-hailing platform inDrive and grassroots organization goGOGOgo, is equipping older women in South Africa with crucial digital and mobility skills. This empowering project aims to improve the independence and safety of these women, often referred to as "gogos," who face significant barriers in accessing the internet and reliable public transport.

The initiative, named inDrive and goGOGOgo, kicked off with a hands-on training event at Safe-Hub Alexandra for gogos from Alexandra and nearby communities. During this event, participants learned how to use the inDrive app, book demo rides, and understand travel safety. The program is designed to address the social reality that many elderly women raise grandchildren and rely on state grants, often facing transport challenges due to inaccessible or unreliable public transport.

The project targets approximately 4 million children raised by grandmothers, empowering the gogos with skills that promote independence and reduce isolation. By enabling gogos to use digital platforms for mobility, it promotes safety, ease of movement, and life management, such as grocery shopping, medical appointments, and collecting social grants.

Training for the gogos includes practical assistance from "gogo champions" and inDrive drivers who help download and navigate the app during the event. The approach focuses on hands-on learning to build confidence with technology and safe travel.

While the initial activations have taken place in Alexandra and surrounding Johannesburg areas, the partnership hints at broader plans aimed at scaling up digital and mobility literacy for older women across more regions of South Africa. The nationwide scope of the transport and technology issues highlighted by Stats SA suggests a need for such a program to expand beyond its current reach.

Feedback from the gogos emphasizes the empowerment and independence that come from removing digital and mobility barriers. Official statements highlight the gogos as “unsung heroes” and the backbone of the nation, with the training seen as a practical response to make their lives safer and more independent in daily activities.

InDrive and goGOGOgo are committed to ensuring their services genuinely reflect and meet the specific needs and realities of local communities. The peer-to-peer model offered by inDrive provides a flexible and user-friendly option for those new to ride-hailing or who prefer direct interaction. Starter kits were provided to the gogos, including smartphones for some, branded blankets, handmade bags, and comfort items to encourage continued engagement with technology and transport services.

The project's initial phase focuses on teaching digital and mobility literacy skills to older women. As the program continues to evolve, inDrive and goGOGOgo intend to host more sessions later this year, using feedback gathered from participant interviews to refine and expand the program. The inaugural event for the project took place at Safe-Hub Alexandra on July 29, 2025.

In summary, the initiative by inDrive and goGOGOgo is a targeted, community-driven program focused on empowering older South African women with digital and mobility skills to reduce isolation and improve safety. Early pilot events have demonstrated practical and social impacts, with intentions to scale up nationally to address the widespread digital divide and transport access issues among elderly gogos.

1. The initiative, spearheaded by ride-hailing platform inDrive and grassroots organization goGOGOgo, seeks to equip older women in South Africa with technology skills.
2. This project aims to improve the independence and safety of older women, often referred to as "gogos," who face significant barriers in accessing the internet and reliable public transport.
3. Many elderly women raise grandchildren and rely on state grants, often facing transport challenges due to inaccessible or unreliable public transport.
4. The initial activations have taken place in Alexandra and surrounding Johannesburg areas, with plans to scale up digital and mobility literacy for older women across more regions of South Africa.
5. The initiative names approximately 4 million children raised by grandmothers as its target, empowering the gogos with skills that promote independence and reduce isolation.
6. By enabling gogos to use digital platforms for mobility, it promotes safety, ease of movement, and life management, such as grocery shopping, medical appointments, and collecting social grants.
7. Training for the gogos includes practical assistance from "gogo champions" and inDrive drivers who help download and navigate the app during the event.
8. The partnership hints at broader plans to address the social reality of the elderly population in South Africa.
9. The program is designed to address the digital divide and mobility access issues among elderly gogos.
10. The inaugural event for the project took place at Safe-Hub Alexandra on July 29, 2025.
11. The hands-on training event at Safe-Hub Alexandra for gogos from Alexandra and nearby communities introduced participants to the inDrive app and travel safety.
12. The peer-to-peer model offered by inDrive provides a flexible and user-friendly option for those new to ride-hailing or who prefer direct interaction.
13. The project's initial phase focuses on teaching digital and mobility literacy skills to older women.
14. The approach focuses on hands-on learning to build confidence with technology and safe travel.
15. Starter kits were provided to the gogos, including smartphones for some, branded blankets, handmade bags, and comfort items to encourage continued engagement with technology and transport services.
16. Administrative tasks like managing finances and personal-finance can become easier with the integration of technology.
17. InDrive and goGOGOgo intend to host more sessions later this year, using feedback gathered from participant interviews to refine and expand the program.
18. Health and wellness, including fitness and exercise, sexual health, family health, mental health, and various medical conditions like chronic kidney disease, COPD, type-2 diabetes, and cancer, play critical roles in the lives of gogos.
19. The project's potential impacts extend to health-and-wellness, as gogos can use technology for medication reminders, telemedicine appointments, and staying informed on various health concerns.
20. Men's health, women's health, and issues like menopause and parenting complement the list of concerns relevant to the targeted demographic.
21. Alzheimer's disease, neurological disorders, and breast cancer are examples of health issues that disproportionately affect older women in South Africa.
22. Entrepreneurship, finance, and small-business ownership are essential skills to navigate the independent lives gogos strive to lead.
23. Learning new skills through online platforms, e-learning, and technology can also contribute to personal growth, education, and self-development.
24. Gogos can use their smartphones to manage their finances, save, and practice debt-management through various financial technologies (fintech) and budgeting apps.
25. InDrive's goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment contributes to the sense of empowerment and inclusivity felt by the participating gogos.
26. Incorporating topics like diversity-and-inclusion, lifestyle, and social-media into the training sessions enhance the overall impact and relevance of the project.
27. The inDrive and goGOGOgo initiative's holistic approach, considering various industries like health, finance, and social media, empowers older South African women to navigate their lives more independently and confidently within local communities.

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