We believe in the power of connectivity and digital services to strengthen the resilience of economies. Through our mobile and fixed networks, data flows at speed, connecting people and communities.

A digital society realises the benefits of communication, facilitates inclusion and enables access to other services through digital technology. We acknowledge the digital divide in South Africa and believe that to benefit from a digital society, we must drive inclusion.

Our inclusion for all pillar seeks to ensure no one is left behind. It focuses on access to connectivity, digital skills and creating relevant products and services, such as access to education, healthcare and finance.

We are committed to developing a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the customers and societies we serve.

Since 2008, we have reported our operational and value chain carbon footprint annually with independent verification of our Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2010, we started reporting to the CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project) on our GHG emissions, climate strategy and perceived risks and opportunities.

We have also monitored changes in the business landscape and markets to understand where there may be opportunities resulting from the transition to a low-carbon economy.

At Vodacom, we recognise the TCFD recommendations as a logical evolution in our understanding of and response to climate change and our reporting thereof.

Operating ethically, lawfully and with integrity is critical to our long-term success. As such, responsible business practices support the delivery of our purpose while enabling us to create value. We can address the urgent need to merge financial performance with ethical conduct, balancing the needs of people and the planet with profit.

Operating responsibly means we:

• Foster business integrity;

• Maintain trust through protecting data;

• Protect our people's health and safety;

• Respect human rights;

• Ensure a responsible and inclusive supply chain; and

• Contribute to tax and the economy.

We deliver on these focus areas through our compliance with legal and regulatory standards, and ensuring employees, business partners and suppliers adhere to internal codes, policies and programmes that govern our behaviour.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were created to transform the world, but in order for the goals to be achieved, national governments, the private sector and civil society all need to work together.

The SDGs define global priorities and aspirations for 2030 and represent an unprecedented opportunity to eliminate extreme poverty and put the world on a sustainable path. Governments worldwide have already agreed to these goals.

The South African government has adopted the goals and is committed to supporting them. As part of Vodacom's purpose and social contract we are committed to walking this journey towards a sustainable future for all together with our key stakeholders in the public and private sectors and society at large.