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.
We operate differently because the internet should belong to everyone
We build and maintain community-owned network infrastructure that puts control in the hands of local residents rather than corporate entities.
All our software and hardware designs are open source, enabling transparency, collaboration, and community adaptation of our solutions.
We operate as a cooperative where members have equal say in decision-making and share in the benefits of our collective work.
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:
We're grateful to work with organisations that share our radical vision:
We maintain strict principles about funding - no corporate sponsorship, no strings attached. Our full funding policy is available to members.
Building alternatives across the digital ecosystem
In July 2022 the Peoples Media Consortium and Yetu InfoTech Collective launched Friends of a Free Internet (FoFI) supported by a collective of civil society organisations in South Africa. With consensus on the nature of the obstacles to a Free Internet as well as the required interventions for its realisation of strategic priorities:
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.
"There's really no such thing as the 'voiceless'. There are only the deliberately silenced, or the preferably unheard."
― Arundhati Roy
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.
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.
Our cooperative governance structure and members
Yetu operates as a multi-stakeholder cooperative with democratic governance that ensures community control.
Each member class has representation on our board and participates in major decisions.
We're actively recruiting members who share our vision for a community-owned internet.
Our scale depends on available resources from:
If you're interested in joining our collective or collaborating with us, please get in touch.
Key moments in the struggle for digital freedom and access
South African Constitution includes freedom of expression and access to information as fundamental rights, laying groundwork for digital rights.
Established ICASA and began regulating telecommunications, though heavily favouring commercial providers over community networks.
Enabled citizens to request information from both public and private bodies, setting precedent for data transparency.
Established a regime of licencing for telecommunications, without adequate provisions for community networks.
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.
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
Landmark data protection legislation giving South Africans control over their personal information in the digital age.
Mass public outcry against high data costs, highlighting digital inequality and sparking national conversation about internet as basic right.
Pandemic reveals stark digital inequalities as education, healthcare, and work move online, leaving millions behind.
Revised national broadband plan acknowledging need for community networks and alternative models, though implementation remains challenging.
Launch of Yetu as a radical alternative to corporate-controlled digital infrastructure, focusing on community ownership.
ICASA begins recognising community networks as legitimate service providers, opening doors for local internet initiatives.
Tools and guides for digital sovereignty and community networks
Practical guide to replacing Google services with privacy-respecting alternatives. Step-by-step instructions for email, search, docs and more.
Access GuideComplete manual for planning, building, and maintaining community-owned internet infrastructure. Now includes server setup guide.
Access GuideGuide to navigating telecommunications policy and advocating for community network rights in South Africa.
Access HandbookCurated collection of free software for community networks, from mesh networking to content management.
Access DirectoryGet in touch with the collective