Large numbers and able brains

I struck a rather startling epiphany on New Year’s eve when I embarked on my annual ritual of sending celebratory text messages to almost my entire contact list on my phone. It has been documented ad infinitum that South Africa boasts with one of the most impressive mobile penetration rates in the world, with roughly 90% mobile phones held among the 49 million South Africans.
I was running a hypothesis through my mind at the time and while my numbers may be profoundly inaccurate, I believe that the crux of the idea is still a viable one to document.
What struck me as devastatingly obvious is that between the three major cellular networks, Vodacom, Cell C and MTN, their collective potential to aid to social responsibility in South Africa is ridiculously easy.
Assuming that every single mobile phone owner sends at least one text message during the period from December 24 to January 01, a long shot I know (but then, many of us send more than 20), and averaging the cost of a single text message at 30 cents, if the three cellular networks donated only three cents (3 cents for crying out loud) to charity, a respectable R 179 100 would have made it to people in dire need during the festive season.
Also assuming that half the mobile enabled population of South Africa sends at least one MMS message (cost thumbed at R 1.50) during the same time, with Vodacom, MTN and Cell C donating only 20 cents per MMS to charity, another respectable R 661 500 would have filled the coffers of charities in need.
Add a couple of cents for each call made, every e-mail sent and kilobytes browsed on smart phones and you’ll find yourself a handsome amount.
You see, large corporations have the advantage of numbers. And with very little effort, and undoubtedly an enormous boost in revenue during the festive season, that little effort each year could profoundly change the face of a third world country.
My hypothesis is a simple one, but with numbers like these and about half and hour for any able brained person, the benefits could be staggering.
Time to put on our thinking caps and for large corporations to join in on the responsibility we have toward the less fortunate.

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