Vodacom Mpumalanga has invested R600m into the network this financial year, to accelerate coverage reach and network capacity, and to provide access to affordable, high-quality connectivity.
This was revealed during a media day at the Country Boutique Hotel on Tuesday July 26.

From this year’s R600m capital expenditure, R33m will go to network upgrades and the deployment of new base station sites, with R256m allocated for microwave and fibre transmission projects.

During this event, the network also discussed various initiatives currently under way in the province, which they introduced and funded.

Zakhele Jiyane, managing executive for Vodacom Mpumalanga, said the network is helping to close the gender gap in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields through Vodacom’s #CodeLikeAGirl programme.

“Girls between the ages of 14 and 18 receive coding training. In July this year in this province, 60 girls were exposed to the knowledge of computer languages, robotics and development programmes, while learning valuable life skills that will encourage them to follow a career path in technology.”

According to him, they recognised the importance of advancing access to digital platforms and skills from an early age to ensure no one is left behind in the digital age, and opened up learning opportunities on the zero-rated e-School portal. “The digital platform offers access to curriculum-aligned content for learners in grades R to 12, with no data charge for customers on the network.”

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Jiyane said the investment will meet the increasing demand for internet services, while driving digital inclusion throughout the region.

“At the core of our regional activity is our ambition to change lives for the better by democratising access to connectivity. Through our continued investments in our network, innovative price transformation journey and efforts to address social-economic issues, we are helping to build an inclusive digital future.

“In the past two years, we have spent R1b on network upgrades and solutions to support our transition from telecommunications operator to leading technology provider. Through this investment we have been able to deploy more sites, upgrade our current base stations and expand connectivity through the roll-out of next-generation technology and fibre, particularly to deep, rural areas of the province, whose residents have not had access to transformative online services.”

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Jiyane also discussed issues affecting the network. According to him, it is not just load-shedding that has an impact on our network availability and experience.

“Vandalism and theft also remain our biggest concerns when it comes to keeping our customers connected. In the first three months of this financial year, we recorded over 300 incidents, with batteries and cables targeted. Although we have implemented security measures, such as early warning technology and armed response at our base station sites, communities are our best deterrent to reduce this criminal activity, and we encourage them to report any suspicious activity,” he concluded.