In The News
2025
inDrive and goGOGOgo equip Johannesburg gogos with digital skills and access to safe transport
Ride-hailing platform inDrive, in partnership with grassroots initiative goGOGOgo, has launched a new community-driven initiative aimed at bridging South Africa’s digital and mobility divide. The project kicks off with empowering older women (locally known as gogos) from Alexandra and surrounding communities to gain valuable, relevant digital and mobility literacy skills aimed at helping them navigate everyday life.
The Star
August 2025Amazon Fireside Chats – Jane Simmonds and Maggie Sito share how goGOGOgo is changing lives
In the discussion, Simmonds and Sito unpack the creation of goGOGOgo and how the organisation got to where it is today. “Grandmothers are probably the strongest glue in many households and communities, but are normally not seen as targets for projects, interventions, NGOs, and other initiatives due to the idea that they are getting older and nearing the end of their time,” said Simmonds.
MyBroadband
17 September 2025“My dream is to help my grandchildren with whatever they want to be,” said Sito. “I want them to choose their future and be able to be there for them.”
or watch here for the full conversation between Robert Koen, Jane Simmonds, and Maggie Sito
Amazon Fireside Chat
17 September 2025Alexandra Gogos Pack a Punch in Boxing Class
Alexandra gogos join boxing classes at Slow Poison Gym in Morningside, building strength, confidence and friendships through Go-Gogo-Go.
Read more on All Africa or on Scrolla
Scrolla
28 October, 2025Gogos Go Digital with Vuma & goGOGOgo
In this heartwarming episode, we celebrate a groundbreaking initiative that’s bridging the digital divide for South Africa’s grandmothers. Through a partnership between Vuma and goGOGOgo, 38 incredible gogos in Pretoria have graduated from a digital skills training programme—learning to send emails, browse the internet, use WhatsApp, and even access online services.
The Social Impact Show with Samm Marshall on 919FM
9 March, 2025Healing across generations: How art is opening up conversations about GBV in Alexandra
In a small room filled with colour, fabric, and quiet courage, adolescent girls and their grandmothers are making dolls. These, however, are no ordinary dolls, they’re powerful symbols of healing, strength, and intergenerational dialogue about one of South Africa’s most difficult conversations: gender-based violence (GBV).
IOL
1 August 2025Gogos Lead the Way as Literacy Project Launches at Diepsloot Library
The Masifunde Gogo! project is bringing old and new generations together in Diepsloot, proving that a grandparent’s love and a good story are at the heart of creating a community rooted in learning and connection.
Good Things Guy
23 September 2025South Africans doing Great Things: Aubrey Masango with goGOGOgo
Aubrey Masango joined by Nkanyiso Khumalo Project Manager at goGOGOgo discuss their inspiring initiative that empowers grandmothers, the gogos who are often the unsung heroes in our communities, by equipping them with knowledge, skills, and support to nurture healthier, stronger families.
listen to the interview
The Aubrey Masango Show, 702
7 Nov, 20252024
Empowering Elderly Women with Digital Skills in Alexandra
For over four years, iGOGO has equipped gogos nationwide with digital skills and development programs, empowering them as change agents in their families and communities. “With many gogos acting as caregivers and raising their grandchildren, and with children in South Africa expected to use digital devices by Grade 7, our goal is to equip gogos with the necessary knowledge and skills to support this process,” says Jane Simmonds, Executive Director and Founder of goGOGOgo.
IT NEWS AFRICA.COM
25 July 2024Go GOGO, Go! Grannies in Alex receive digital skills training to address the digital divide
From safe online shopping and e-hailing a ride around town to supporting the next generation with digital skills, gogos (grandmothers) in Alexandra Township are finally entering the world of WhatsApp group chats, mobile apps and emails, thanks to non-governmental organisation (NGO) goGOGOgo and its iGOGO training programme.
Social TV
26 July 2024These grannies are punching their way to better health and having a ball doing it
Gogos in Alex are taking up boxing classes
News24
27 March, 2024Alexandra grannies trade knitting needles for boxing gloves
Grannies from Alexandra township in Johannesburg are trading their knitting needles for boxing gloves. This is the latest project by the goGOGOgo project with the Slow Poison Boxing Gym to challenge the sedentary lifestyles often associated with ageing.
GroundUp
7 March, 2024GoGOGOgo is Making Sure Gogos Are Looked After Too
Non-profit GoGOGOgo is giving gogos a break from raising grandchildren while putting them first for a change with various programmes from boxing classes to skills workshops!
GoodThingsGuy.com
May 24, 2024Gloved-up Gogos
A boxing gym isn’t where you often see people having fun – pummelling bags and opponents is usually serious business. But this is no ordinary group of boxers: this bunch is made up of 20 older women working up a sweat at the GogoBox class at Sandton’s Slow Poison Boxing Gym.
You Magazine
4 April, 2024Launch of Masifunde GOGO Reading Club for grandchildren in Alex.
Jane Simmonds, Founder and Executive Director at goGOGOgo on their partnership with Literacy 4 Life after launching their Grandchildren’s Reading Club in Alexandra. This is a programme to encourage reading out loud between gogos and grandchildren to build literacy and promote intergenerational relationships.
702 Weekend Breakfast with Gugs Mhlungu
3 Nov 2024Grannies receive digital skills training to address the digital divide
From safe online shopping and e-hailing a ride around town to supporting the next generation with digital skills, gogos (grandmothers) in Alexandra Township are finally entering the world of WhatsApp group chats, mobile apps and emails, thanks to non-governmental organisation (NGO) goGOGOgo and its iGOGO training programme.
Africa Business Communities.com
29 July 2024GoGOGOgo: Empowering our Unsung Heroes
Thanks to NGO goGOGOgo and fibre provider Vuma, gogos are learning digital literacy skills so they can help their grandchildren with homework.
Most people think of their grandmothers as sweet, unassuming ladies who bake, knit, and who love to spoil kids with too much pocket money. The reality, however, is that they are the unsung heroes of South Africa, putting in the work to empower future generations and contributing to the economic upliftment of the country.
Bizmag.co.za
June 21, 2024Tech it out gogo: equipping the older generation with fundamental digital skills
In a heartwarming demonstration of how it is never too late to learn, 59 gogos graduated from the groundbreaking “iGOGO – Gogos With Vuma” digital education programme, which took place in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and City of Tshwane.
Launched by goGOGOgo in conjunction with Vuma, South Africa’s largest fibre network operator, this transformative initiative aimed to equip the elderly, particularly women, with the basic digital skills needed to navigate our online era.
Impact SA
7 September 2023goGOGOgo: Supporting Gogo’s as Agents of Change
Point of View with Phemelo Motene on Khaya 959 talks to Jane Simmonds about goGOGOgo
Point of View, Khaya FM
7 March, 2022Township seniors step up to get connected through Alexandra digital literacy project
The people attending the lessons told GroundUp that as a result of the lessons they were less reliant on others helping them with smartphones and the internet.
“I’ve surprised a lot of people since starting these lessons. When some friends and I got lost at a funeral, I was able to use the navigation app on my phone to help us find our way. My friends couldn’t believe it,” said Florence Nawa.
Daily Maverick
16 Feb 2022