Tracking & Tracing – the next frontier in the fight against COVID-19

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – 02 April, 2020 – Telkom partnered with Samsung to assist the South African government with the fight against COVID-19 to further strengthen our call to support those in the front line of the epidemic. As part of the partnership Samsung has donated 1500 handsets to be distributed in the provinces hardest hit by the spread of the virus. The trackers will be connected for free using Telkom’s FreeMe packages for the next 6 months easing the current backlog and fast tracking their ability to track and trace cases around the country.

“What we face is a generation-defining moment, a challenge unlike any other. However, our belief in Africa and its people remains steadfast and strong. I know, working together, we can and we will rise to this challenge,” said CEO & President of Samsung Africa, Sung Yoon.

Tracking is an important part of fighting the spread of the virus as the cases in South Africa increase the more people need to be located and tested. Trackers will have to travel around the country to find primary and secondary contacts and get testing to those people. Many countries around the world have moved to using surveillance technology to get ahead of the virus. However, South Africa does not have the luxury of such technology as most of our people still do not carry smartphones.

“As we venture into uncharted waters, we need to heed the call of our President in working through this together, while apart. It is up to each one of us to do what we can to flatten the curve and reduce the possible impact of this virus particularly for those who rely on the public health system” said Serame Taukobong CEO, Telkom Consumer.