My passion for creating a more secure digital landscape in Lesotho with Vodacom

Vodacom’s commitment to innovation and compliance ensures that we are at the forefront of shaping the future of telecommunications in Lesotho. As a Privacy Specialist, being part of a team that is advancing technology compliance across Africa is both rewarding and motivating. 

I really enjoy working here. It offers an inspiring work environment where collaboration is key to success, and I value the opportunities for growth that include further learning and professional development through company resources. As part of the larger Vodafone Group, I benefit from global learning experiences, which helps me gain insights from international experts I apply locally, driving meaningful change in the tech industry across Africa. 

From intern to privacy specialist

My journey at Vodacom has been challenging but rewarding. I started as an intern for the Privacy Compliance team as part of the Enhanced internship program, and fortunately I am still on this team now. 

During my internship, I received immense support from the Learning and Development team, who guided me through the onboarding process and ensured that I had the resources I needed to excel throughout the entire program. The guidance and teamwork by my team and peers also allowed me to thrive in a highly dynamic environment. I gained a comprehensive understanding of privacy regulations and best practices in data protection and developed skills in assessing and mitigating privacy risks. 

My peers played a crucial role in creating an encouraging and collaborative environment that made my learning a breeze, and the privacy team was equally supportive. They created a welcoming environment, provided necessary tools and mentorship, and shared insights into the complexities of data protection within Vodacom. 

Now I train others 

Through the training I got I am now able to provide effective training to others. I continuously conduct comprehensive privacy training for all employees and agents, along with holding internal workshops within the company to raise awareness of data protection policies and practices as we assist Vodacom customers on a daily basis.

Hosting the data protection workshop was a highlight. Engaging with privacy experts and fostering discussions around critical privacy concerns provided valuable learning experiences, not only for attendees but also for me personally. It was fulfilling to be part of a platform that advanced privacy practices. 

The privacy team also assists with law enforcement requests, so I recently conducted a privacy workshop for law enforcement agents as well. This provided guidance on the appropriate types of data requests that align with Vodacom privacy laws and regulations, which also do not breach the court's request or infringe on the customers' rights. Working with law enforcement was insightful, as it allowed me to contribute to the responsible use of data in the justice system. Helping them to understand the kinds of data requests permissible under the law was both impactful and necessary. 

Finally, I participated in the national digital transformation policy workshop, which was particularly gratifying as it aligned with my passion for creating a more secure digital landscape. The Lesotho National Digital Transformation project seeks to improve Lesotho as a digital community, and I enjoyed being involved in these broader policy discussions and providing input on safeguarding data in ICT transformation. I provided insights on how Vodacom secures data as part of developing broader ICT transformation efforts, and the framework being developed to protect data across the nation.

Making an impact in Lesotho

Through my knowledge, I am able to contribute to shaping privacy policies and frameworks in Lesotho, which is now central to my work in ensuring our organisation’s practices align with regulatory requirements. I have also gained experience at Vodacom in collaborating with cross-functional teams, which strengthened my communication and problem-solving skills - these competencies have been valuable in my current role. 

It has been particularly rewarding training others. I am glad to be part of the team that ensures accountability across the organisation, and to get the opportunity to empower the workforce with the knowledge needed to protect sensitive information. I thoroughly enjoyed working on these privacy and data security projects because they allowed me to make a meaningful impact within Lesotho and beyond.