As a purpose-led organisation, we are committed to connecting Africa for a better future. We believe in the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, and leverage our technology to create positive change in the communities we serve. As such, our dedication to human rights is a moral imperative and a foundational element of the way we do business.

The new Vodacom Group Human Rights Policy underscores our mission to leverage technology and resources for positive community impact, guided by international human rights standards. As a prominent multinational company in Africa, we have a significant role to play in promoting and protecting human rights amid diverse cultures, languages and traditions.

What are human rights?

  • Human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion or any other status. 
  • Human rights are based on principles such as dignity, fairness, respect and equality. 
  • Through our day-to-day business operations, we can contribute to and/or support positive human rights actions.  

You can read more about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights here. 

Opportunities and risks in a changing world

We live in a world characterised by an exponential increase in access and use of information and communication technology (ICT). This increase has produced digital technologies that present several human rights opportunities, as well as direct and indirect threats to the realisation of these rights.

Vodacom has adopted a comprehensive human rights policy to effectively manage and mitigate our impacts on human rights while guiding us in creating positive societal impact as we navigate the complex landscape of human rights in the TechCo space. The policy and associated practices aim to integrate ethical best practices and international human rights principles into our operations, fostering a culture of respect, transparency and accountability.

Our policy aligns with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, other international and regional instruments and applicable national laws, ensuring that our operations respect human dignity, equality and freedom.

Our policy highlights these human rights principles which are most relevant to our business and aligned with UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs):

  1. Respect and promotion: Respecting and promoting human rights in interactions with employees, vendors, suppliers, customers and society.
  2. Compliance: Upholding international human rights standards while complying with national laws.
  3. Digital technology: Using digital technology to support human rights and socio-economic development.
  4. Non-discrimination: Fostering a non-discriminatory environment free from discrimination based on race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability or religion.
  5. Diversity and inclusion: Promoting an inclusive environment, ensuring equal opportunities for all employees.
  6. Labour rights: Prohibition of forced and child labour, adhering to minimum age standards.
  7. Freedom of association: Supporting employees’ rights to association, union formation and collective bargaining.
  8. Corporate responsibility: Demonstrating leadership in respecting human rights, beyond mere compliance.
  9. Risk prioritisation: Prioritising addressing severe human rights risks, focusing on privacy, free expression, health and safety, labour rights, non-discrimination, ethical purchasing and digital inclusion.
  10. Grievance mechanisms: Providing accessible and effective mechanisms for individuals to raise concerns and seek remedies for human rights violations.
  11. Rights of the Child: Supporting the principle of the best interest of a child in all our operations and interactions.

What should I do if I have a human rights concern at work?

Human rights concerns can be raised via your local Speak Up platform. We take all human rights concerns seriously and will investigate and address them appropriately.

You can learn more about human rights by completing online training sessions on our Grow platform, reading our Human Rights Policy, and engaging with our human rights Principal Specialist, Ncumisa Willie, or your human rights champion:

  • Patricia Katshabala Kapenga – DRC
  • Bienvenu Mie Ngoy – DRC
  • Farah Lokma – Egypt
  • Katleho Pefole – Lesotho
  • Cristina De Azevedo – Mozambique
  • Grace Lyon – Tanzania
  • Lungile Manzini – SA