Women Empowerment; The Digital Transformation of Stokvel Systems through ICT in South Africa

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dc.contributor.advisorRivett, Ulrike
dc.contributor.authorMtambeka, Papama
dc.date.accessioned2026-09-28T08:11:41Z
dc.date.available2026-09-28T08:11:41Z
dc.date.issued2026
dc.date.updated2026-09-28T08:10:05Z
dc.description.abstractThis thesis explores how the empowerment of South African women participating in stokvels is promoted through the digital transformation of stokvels from traditional communal savings systems. Stokvels are a form of indigenous savings or investment savings clubs, where members make frequent, agreed-upon contributions. Traditionally, they served as economic and social safety nets for marginalised communities, but digital transformation introduces new opportunities and challenges as it reshapes their operations. Stokvels have gradually adopted digital tools, such as mobile banking and online communication platforms, to make their financial management more efficient and transparent. These advancements allow members to access funds securely, track savings, and participate in decision-making remotely, thereby enhancing inclusivity and operational efficiency. Through the lens of Nego-feminism and Snail-sense feminism, this study examined the influence of integrating digital tools in stokvels on women's financial agency, decision-making, and economic empowerment. Employing a qualitative research design, the study utilised semi-structured interviews and observations from women living in rural and urban areas participating in digitally transforming stokvels. An abductive thematic analysis revealed that, while digital tools enhance transparency and efficiency, there are still barriers to adoption, such as resistance to new technology, digital literacy and trust. The study also highlights the women's strategic approach to combining traditional practices with modern digital tools, ensuring technology adoption aligns with cultural and communal values. The findings offer practical recommendations for policymakers and fintech developers to create inclusive digital tools that promote women's financial autonomy and collective agency within South African stokvels.
dc.identifier.apacitationMtambeka, P. (2026). <i>Women Empowerment; The Digital Transformation of Stokvel Systems through ICT in South Africa</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Department of Information Systems. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43823en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationMtambeka, Papama. <i>"Women Empowerment; The Digital Transformation of Stokvel Systems through ICT in South Africa."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Department of Information Systems, 2026. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43823en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationMtambeka, P. 2026. Women Empowerment; The Digital Transformation of Stokvel Systems through ICT in South Africa. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Department of Information Systems. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43823en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Mtambeka, Papama AB - This thesis explores how the empowerment of South African women participating in stokvels is promoted through the digital transformation of stokvels from traditional communal savings systems. Stokvels are a form of indigenous savings or investment savings clubs, where members make frequent, agreed-upon contributions. Traditionally, they served as economic and social safety nets for marginalised communities, but digital transformation introduces new opportunities and challenges as it reshapes their operations. Stokvels have gradually adopted digital tools, such as mobile banking and online communication platforms, to make their financial management more efficient and transparent. These advancements allow members to access funds securely, track savings, and participate in decision-making remotely, thereby enhancing inclusivity and operational efficiency. Through the lens of Nego-feminism and Snail-sense feminism, this study examined the influence of integrating digital tools in stokvels on women's financial agency, decision-making, and economic empowerment. Employing a qualitative research design, the study utilised semi-structured interviews and observations from women living in rural and urban areas participating in digitally transforming stokvels. An abductive thematic analysis revealed that, while digital tools enhance transparency and efficiency, there are still barriers to adoption, such as resistance to new technology, digital literacy and trust. The study also highlights the women's strategic approach to combining traditional practices with modern digital tools, ensuring technology adoption aligns with cultural and communal values. The findings offer practical recommendations for policymakers and fintech developers to create inclusive digital tools that promote women's financial autonomy and collective agency within South African stokvels. DA - 2026 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Stokvels KW - Digital Transformation KW - Women's Empowerment KW - Nego-feminism KW - Snailsense Feminism KW - Financial Inclusion KW - Agency LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2026 T1 - Women Empowerment; The Digital Transformation of Stokvel Systems through ICT in South Africa TI - Women Empowerment; The Digital Transformation of Stokvel Systems through ICT in South Africa UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43823 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/43823
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationMtambeka P. Women Empowerment; The Digital Transformation of Stokvel Systems through ICT in South Africa. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Commerce ,Department of Information Systems, 2026 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/43823en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Information Systems
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Commerce
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectStokvels
dc.subjectDigital Transformation
dc.subjectWomen's Empowerment
dc.subjectNego-feminism
dc.subjectSnailsense Feminism
dc.subjectFinancial Inclusion
dc.subjectAgency
dc.titleWomen Empowerment; The Digital Transformation of Stokvel Systems through ICT in South Africa
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMCom
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