Speed and efficiency
Digital payments are fast – you don’t have to count cash, wait for change or stand in long queues. You can pay bills and make purchases in seconds from your cellphone
Why digital payments matter
In communities across South Africa, people are discovering the power of digital payments. Whether you’re sending money to family, paying bills, shopping or receiving your SASSA social grant, digital payments give you more security and convenience.
The Digital ke Power campaign helps South Africans discover how digital payments can transform their financial lives – saving time and opening up new opportunities.
Cash attracts criminals
Carrying money makes you an easy target for robbers, which can lead to stress as a result of fear or financial loss.
Cash can be lost in a fire
Once cash is destroyed in a fire, you can’t get it back. Digital payments help protect your money.
Financial record
If you want to show that you manage money well, you need proof, for example bank or payment statements. Digital payments automatically create that record for you.
Save time and money
By managing your money digitally from your phone, you can avoid expensive trips to the bank or waiting in long queues.
Key Benefits
Simplify payments with reliable, real-time digital transactions.
Safety and security
The less cash you hold, the less vulnerable you are. Having less cash on hand attracts fewer criminals
Convenience and control
Using digital payments means you don’t have to carry the right amount of cash on you to pay for something. You can pay the exact amount without worrying about change, and easily track your spending
Easier budgeting
Receiving payments or wages digitally makes it easier to manage your budget. Digital records help you see where your money goes
Stakeholders
General public (commuters, shoppers, households)
Moving to digital payments is a smart choice because it makes life easier and safer. Imagine being able to pay bills or buy groceries without needing to carry cash. It’s convenient and reduces the risk of theft or loss.
SMMEs and community groups
For small businesses, digital payments are the way to go. Keep track of transactions clearly, make accounting easier and attract digitally savvy customers. Digital payments help you reduce the risk of theft, as you don’t have to carry large amounts of cash.
SASSA grant recipients
You can use your SASSA card to make digital payments. As a grant recipient, the funds in your account belong to you and you can use it for purchases without having to go to an ATM first, saving you time and transport costs.
Taxi industry
Digital payments have the potential to drive growth in the taxi industry and local economies.
Community stories
Digital transformation in action
Palesa Khoza: a youth’s success at turning her hustle into a smart business
For 26-year-old Palesa Khoza, based in Sekampaneng, Hammanskraal, what began as a simple act of kindness has turned into a successful beauty business.
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From coins to clicks: digital payment solutions empower a daycare centre in Sekampaneng
When it comes to caring for the youngest members of the community, daycare veteran Sego Lamola does more than just offer a safe and nurturing space – she also provides a good example of how small businesses in Hammanskraal can embrace digital solutions.
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Digital payments fire up popular Hammanskraal shisanyama
For Braai-master’s Shisanyama in Rens Town, Hammanskraal, serving great food is only part of the recipe. The real flavour of its success comes from adapting to the needs of a changing customer base, including how they want to pay.
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Cliff Café proves that digital has a future in the township economy (Hammanskraal)
When others doubted there would be an uptake in businesses built on digital models, 46-year-old entrepreneur Clifford Mashishimane saw opportunity rather than risk.
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La Vida Car Wash drives its business to digital success (Thembisa)
Thembisa’s popular La Vida Car Wash is known for its spotless results and adopting technology that makes life easier for its customers.
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Kwa Mlungu Bakery: a pioneer in digital payments in Thembisa
The aroma of freshly baked bread fills the air as customers stream into Kwa Mlungu bakery in Thembisa. Behind the counter, owner Mandla Khumalo serves customers with pride – and with a payment system that sets his business apart from most of his competitors.
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Thembisa pre-school leads the way in digital transformation (Thembisa)
In the heart of Thembisa, where traditional cash transactions have long been the norm, 26-year-old Tsietsi Paul Nkosi is quietly leading a digital revolution through an unlikely avenue. As the youngest principal in the area and one of few men in early childhood education, Nkosi has transformed Tiny Tots Educational Centre into a model for digital payment adoption in a few short years.
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A safer ride – scholar transport goes digital
Every school day, Clayville Scholar Transport Association drivers safely carry thousands of children to and from Thembisa schools. Just two years ago, these drivers were prime targets for thieves at month-end when they collected cash payments. Today, they operate with greater security and financial stability – all because of a simple switch to digital payments.
Read moreAbout
About FinMark Trust and the pilot digitalisation project
FinMark Trust is a non-profit organisation that aims to improve communities’ access to financial services. We study the issues that make it hard for people to use banks and financial services, share our findings with the government and financial service providers, and help find solutions for people with limited means to access these services.
Community digitalisation refers to using technology to improve the lives and livelihoods of community members. The focus of this pilot project is on digital payments, and how this technology can help the Thembisa and Hammanskraal communities grow.
Our goal is to understand what people need, what they think about digital payments and what problems they face using it. This information will help those involved to determine the kind of services needed to help people and business owners buy and sell without needing cash.
Our pilot project aims to deliver
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Better safety
- No need to carry cash, reducing the risk of theft, loss and threats Greater convenience
- Shop, pay and move freely without relying on cash Cost savings
- Avoid travel expenses to banks, saving both time and money Financial inclusion
- Connect local payment systems with the wider financial ecosystem
Mission
FinMark Trust works with the World Bank and other partners to establish a functional digital economy in townships. Starting with Thembisa and Hammanskraal in Gauteng, we’re building inclusive financial systems that work for everyone.
View the video below on the impact FinMark Trust has made over the last few years.
Our Team
We have passionate people behind this project.
Our team is committed to helping the communities improve livelihoods for local businesses and people using digital payments.
Nombuso Gwamanda
Community coordinator: ThembisaNombuso was born and raised in Thembisa. Currently pursuing a degree in entrepreneurship at the University of Johannesburg, she also serves as the community coordinator for the community digitalisation project in Thembisa.
Keitumetse Molefe
Community coordinator: HammanskraalBorn and raised in Hammanskraal, Keitumetse is a community coordinator with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She excels in project planning and implementation, bringing creativity and innovation to the digitalisation project.
Join the movement
Be part of digital transformation in your community. Join our WhatsApp groups for updates, information and support.
Frequently Asked Questions
The five most common questions are displayed on the right, other FAQs are available below.
View all FAQs
The easiest way to start is by visiting your bank or mobile network operator to set up a basic account or mobile money service. You can also ask friends or family who already use digital payments to show you how they work. Begin with simple transactions like buying airtime or sending small amounts of money.
Many digital payments work with minimal/no network coverage through USSD codes. Some even queue transactions to complete when connection to the internet is restored.
Digital payment platforms use advanced technology to protect your information, transactions and funds. To help protect users, many platforms use fingerprint scans and facial recognition to confirm your identity when you log in. They also send you instant alerts whenever a transaction happens, so you can quickly spot any unauthorised activity.
No, digital payments are not limited to people with smartphones. Many digital payment options are designed to work on basic cellphones through USSD codes, which do not require internet access. Some digital payment systems do not rely on power and can function without being affected by load-shedding. This makes digital payments accessible to a wide range of people.
Yes, digital payments can be made with SASSA cards. As a SASSA grant recipient, the funds in your account belong to you and you can use your card for any purchases or transactions