Former Protect Tongaat student takes Wi-Fi into the townships

A former Protec Tongaat student, Njabulo Maphumulo, has taken a step into the big world of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), supplying Wi-Fi to Tongaat and surrounding areas.

The Buffelsdale High School matriculant got introduced into ICT while he was doing grade 9 and while learning about computer programming.

His keen interest in all things high-tech and his aptitude in the classroom later saw him enrolled into the Protec career enrichment programme promoting math, science and technological literacy for pupils in grade 10, 11 and 12.

The young man from Hambanathi said after he could not finish his architecture diploma at the Durban University of Technology, due to lack of funds, he started researching business opportunities.

That was when he realised that there was no one supplying Wi-Fi in his township at an affordable price, and decided to fill the gap by starting his own company, Movingbit.

“After I started the business, I was struggling and needed fibre connections. I contacted Tongaat Hulett and they gave me money to buy network hardware which allowed me access to one of the towers which connected my antennas to the Tongaat area and to the fibre source in Ballito. I will always be grateful for that,” said Maphumulo.

Coincidentally, it turned out Tongaat Hulett is a sponsor for Protec, and one of the requirements for him to get help, was that he must supply Protec with uncapped internet.

“Over the past 6 months, I have installed 12 new antennas in Tongaat and surrounding areas. My customers feed off these antennas. I am now able to provide faster internet. I aim to increase the number of active users on the network in 5 years,” said Maphumulo.

The 33-year-old has been working with local spaza shops as distribution channels for the prepaid data bundles.

“Most of the Wi-Fi deals come as a contract plan and there is a gap for those who do not need a contract, that is why I give them the option of prepaid data. In that way, my clients can use my services when they can afford and when they want to.”

Contact Maphumulo at 076 696 3084.