A radical internet co-operative building community-owned digital infrastructure

Building Community-Owned Digital Infrastructure

Yetu is a cooperative building radical alternatives to corporate-controlled digital infrastructure. We're creating community-owned networks that put power back in the hands of people.

10+ Community Organisations
500+ Platform Users
100% Member-Owned

Our Radical Approach

We operate differently because the internet should belong to everyone

Community Networks

We build and maintain community-owned network infrastructure that puts control in the hands of local residents rather than corporate entities.

Open Source

All our software and hardware designs are open source, enabling transparency, collaboration, and community adaptation of our solutions.

Cooperative Model

We operate as a cooperative where members have equal say in decision-making and share in the benefits of our collective work.

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yetu infotech our philosophy

We envision a people's internet that is user owned and controlled, decommodified, free/affordable, safe and secure, a communications network that enables a world where all the resources required for life are produced democratically in harmony with the biosphere by each according to their ability and shared according to their needs and a world where everyone enjoys equality and dignity, and are free to contribute their creativity and live in peace.


Yetu means "ours" in Swahili. We believe digital infrastructure should be collectively owned and governed by those who use it.

We are united by a common commitment to gender liberation, anti-racism, solidarity, participatory democracy, and environmental and economic justice with a commitment to build alternatives to extractive digital platforms. Our work is rooted in principles of:


  • Anti-colonial digital practice - Challenging the concentration of digital infrastructure in the Global North
  • Participatory governance - Decisions made by those most affected
  • Intersectional solidarity - Connecting digital rights with other justice movements
  • Radical transparency - Open finances, open decision-making
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yetu infotech landscape analysis

OPPORTUNITIES

  • Growing community tech movement - More groups building local alternatives
  • Policy openings - Some governments recognising community networks
  • Movement alignment - Stronger connections between digital and climate justice
  • Tool maturity - Better open source tools for community networks
  • Digital sovereignty awareness - Increasing recognition of data colonialism
  • Cooperative renaissance - Renewed interest in democratic economic models

THREATS WE RESIST

  • Corporate surveillance - Platform monopolies extracting data
  • Digital colonialism - Infrastructure controlled from abroad
  • Centralised control - Internet shutdowns and censorship
  • False solutions - Corporate "digital inclusion" that maintains power imbalances
  • Policy capture - Telecom lobbyists influencing regulation
  • Technical complexity barriers - Preventing community participation
partners/
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yetu infotech our partners

We're grateful to work with organisations that share our radical vision:


  • Community Organizations: Grassroots groups working on digital inclusion
  • Social Justice Movements: Organizations fighting for economic and racial justice
  • Technical Communities: Open source developers and digital rights advocates
  • Progressive Funders: Organizations that support alternative economic models

We maintain strict principles about funding - no corporate sponsorship, no strings attached. Our full funding policy is available to members.

Our Projects

Building alternatives across the digital ecosystem

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yetu infotech community networks

Our flagship initiative builds and supports community-owned internet infrastructure across South Africa. Unlike commercial ISPs, these networks are governed by the communities that use them.


CURRENT NETWORKS

  • NETYetu - Working with social movements, and other civil society organisations to develop community-owned networks.
  • Tulia - Bloemfontein's first community network (2023-present)

WHAT WE PROVIDE

  • Technical training on mesh networking
  • Legal support for licensing
  • Governance frameworks
  • Hardware sourcing
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yetu infotech mamela
"There's really no such thing as the 'voiceless'. There are only the deliberately silenced, or the preferably unheard."
― Arundhati Roy

BREAKING SOUTH AFRICA'S MEDIA SILENCE

In the world's most unequal country, mass media remains urban-centric, focused on private sector, government and political elites while marginalizing township and rural voices. Mamela (which means "listen" in isiXhosa) is a platform that amplifies marginalized voices by connecting grassroots activists with journalists and content creators.


KEY FEATURES:

  • Crisis Alerts: Activists send real-time alerts during critical moments
  • Grassroots Sources: Journalists access breaking news beyond urban elite bubbles
  • Progressive Experts: Curated directory of alternative analysts
  • Public Access: All alerts archived and shareable
  • Movement Hub: Permanent web presence for organizations
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yetu infotech vuka news

Against South Africa's backdrop of unemployment, hunger and inequality, corporate media prioritizes profits over the information needs of the marginalized majority. Vuka (which means "wake up" or "arise" in several African languages) is a news portal that serves as a digital home for the marginalized majority - aggregating progressive content and building an alternative media ecosystem.


PORTAL FEATURES:

  • News & Opinion: Curated progressive perspectives missing from mainstream
  • Public Resources: Weather, maps, and searchable directory of services
  • Mobile Optimized: Accessible on any device, anywhere
  • Daily Updates: Email and WhatsApp subscriptions
  • SEO Optimised: Content designed to surface in search results

The Yetu Collective

Our cooperative governance structure and members

MG

Michael Graaf

Interim General Secretary

Leading administration and governance.

EC

Erna Curry

InfoYetu Officer

Leading administration and governance.

ND

Nic Dieltiens

Member Role

Member Bio.

MM

Mooketsi Monaheng

Member Role

Member Bio

TM

Tshi Malatji

Member Role

Member Bio.

KM

Karabo Matabane

Member Role.

Member Bio.

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yetu infotech our structure

Yetu operates as a multi-stakeholder cooperative with democratic governance that ensures community control.

  • Worker Members - Those who work at Yetu
  • User Members - Organisations that use our services
  • Support Members - Individuals and organisations that support our mission

Each member class has representation on our board and participates in major decisions.

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yetu infotech join us

We're actively recruiting members who share our vision for a community-owned internet.

Our scale depends on available resources from:

  • Donor funds
  • Public donations
  • Training fees
  • Data services

If you're interested in joining our collective or collaborating with us, please get in touch.

yetu infotech contact --now

Digital Rights in South Africa

Key moments in the struggle for digital freedom and access

1996

Constitutional Rights Established

South African Constitution includes freedom of expression and access to information as fundamental rights, laying groundwork for digital rights.

2000

Independent Communications Authority of South Africa Act

Established ICASA and began regulating telecommunications, though heavily favouring commercial providers over community networks.

2000

Promotion of Access to Information Act

Enabled citizens to request information from both public and private bodies, setting precedent for data transparency.

2005

Electronic Communications Act

Established a regime of licencing for telecommunications, without adequate provisions for community networks.

2008

High Speed Internet

South Africa's total international bandwidth reached the 10 Gbit/s, ushering a new age of expanded broadband for the upper class. The government's initial framework for broadband development focused on market-led approaches rather than public infrastructure.

2013

SA Connect

The South African Parliament approved a national broadband policy with a goal to ensure broadband connectivity at all 6,135 government facilities, including schools, health facilities, post offices, police stations, and government offices

2013

Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA)

Landmark data protection legislation giving South Africans control over their personal information in the digital age.

2016

#DataMustFall Movement

Mass public outcry against high data costs, highlighting digital inequality and sparking national conversation about internet as basic right.

2020

COVID-19 Digital Divide Exposed

Pandemic reveals stark digital inequalities as education, healthcare, and work move online, leaving millions behind.

2021

SA Connect Phase 2

Revised national broadband plan acknowledging need for community networks and alternative models, though implementation remains challenging.

2022

Yetu Cooperative Founded

Launch of Yetu as a radical alternative to corporate-controlled digital infrastructure, focusing on community ownership.

2023

Policy Win for Community Networks

ICASA begins recognising community networks as legitimate service providers, opening doors for local internet initiatives.

Resources

Tools, guides, and knowledge for building community-owned digital infrastructure

Community Network Starter Guide

Complete step-by-step manual for planning, building, and maintaining community-owned internet infrastructure.

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Access Guide

Digital Security Toolkit

Essential security practices and tools for activists and community organisations in the digital age.

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Access Toolkit

Policy Advocacy Handbook

Guide to navigating South African telecommunications policy and advocating for community network rights.

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Access Handbook

Open Source Tools Directory

Curated collection of free software for community networks, from mesh networking to content management.

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Access Directory

Get Involved

Choose your path to join the movement for community-owned internet

Start a Community Network

Begin the journey of building locally-owned internet infrastructure in your area with our comprehensive guides

Join the Collective

Become a member and participate in democratic governance of our cooperative. Help shape the future of community tech

Access Resources

Download guides, tools, and templates for building community tech. Everything you need to get started

Support the Movement

Donate, volunteer, or help spread awareness about digital commons. Every contribution makes a difference

Contact Us

Get in touch with the collective

info@yetu.coop
28 Selby Road, Cape Town, South Africa
+27 21 123 4567