Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
partnership gives
MTN a controlling
60 percent
stake in the
local airtime
distribution
company.
Tebogo Mogapi, CEO of MTN Swaziland, created a have a good track record in building a strong
buzz in the business community when he announced distribution channel for MTN’s services.
that after months of discussions between MTN and “The bonus about the partnership with ETopUp
ETopUp about a possible partnership, the two have is that it offered an opportunity for both MTN and
finally come to an agreement to join forces. This ETopUp to settle our long-standing legal battle,” says
partnership means that MTN will have representation Tebogo. ETopUp Director Victor Gamedze says that
on the ETopUp Board and ETopUp will become a MTN must be commended for having gone through
subsidiary company of MTN Swaziland. with this deal and that everyone has always seen MTN
ETopUp will continue to operate under its as Goliath fighting ETopUp (the David) and that this
current name and as a separate entity from Swazi partnership shows MTN’s commitment towards
MTN Ltd. developing small businesses.
In the new structure, Victor will step aside from
Rationale the day-to-day running of ETopUp, but will be part of
Why would MTN want to take a controlling stake in the board of directors that will advise management.
ETopUp? Tebogo believes that there are a number of “MTN and ETopUp are currently in the process of
reasons, but that the most compelling one is being recruiting a management team that will take ETopUP
able to empower a local company that has proven to into the future,” says Victor.
4 Feature Feature
CALLERTUNEZ
launches in style
With MTN CallerTunez, your callers can groove to the song of your choice while waiting for you to
answer your mobile.
From left: Swazi Coster, JikaMaJika’s Thembi Seete, DJ Black Coffee and Pumla Motsa.
8 Profile Profile
Leopards do it again
A leopard never changes its spots and this was apparent when the Royal Leopards were victorious once
more at the end of the MTN Premier League season.
Leopards Coach Manifred Chabinga was chosen as Coach of the Season.
0 Feature Feature
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de Air Sh
ow.
I fi r s t MTN opens a state of the art computer lab
at the University of Swaziland called
MTNCyberzone@uniswa worth E750,000.
With the increase in cross border and continental (SPTC), the only fixed line operator in Swaziland at the
travel, technology has played a significant role in time, in July.
helping people to keep in contact with their loved Two months later, in September, during the
ones. Swazi Independence Day celebrations and on
And, in the years before email and video calling, King Mswati III’s birthday, the King made the first
people relied heavily on cellphones to communicate cellular call in the country.
with their loved ones. By December 1998, MTN Swaziland was
This was no different in Swaziland. People from commercially operational.
the country worked or studied away from their Soon thereafter MTN packages were bought as
families and the ability to connect with them using gifts by people living in the urban areas for their
cellular technology was welcomed with open arms in families in the rural areas.
Swaziland.
Economic success
Below: An early sign board Getting connected However, MTN’s arrival in Swaziland wasn’t merely
heralding the arrival of MTN entered into a partnership agreement with the about keeping people connected. It also marked a
connectivity in the Swaziland Post and Telecommunication Corporation milestone in the infrastructural development of the
Mountain Kingdom. country since it obtained independence in 1968.
The launch of cellular showed potential investors
that Swaziland was a good investment choice
because its communication networks were up to
international standards.
Over the years MTN has seen an increase in its
service centres and the majority of its staff are Swazi
nationals. MTN Swaziland provides a universal,
affordable and quality telecommunications network
with a range of state of the art products and services,
accessible to a broad spectrum of the population. It
is also recognised as a responsible corporate citizen,
while maintaining a healthy return on investment for
shareholders.
MTN Swaziland has claimed its place as a leader
in telecommunications in Swaziland.
David, Michael, Zweli and Yvonne have been with Zwelithini Mavuso
MTN Swaziland for 10 years. They look back at their Zwelithini Mavuso, also known to his colleagues as
humble beginnings. Zweli, has been with MTN Swaziland for 10 years an
experience he says he wouldn’t trade for anything in
Michael Ndzimandze the world.
Michael Ndzimandze is the Payroll Officer at “My time at MTN Swaziland has made me realise
MTN Swaziland and has been with MTN since its and appreciate my strengths and made me
arrival in Swaziland. acknowledge and work on my weaknesses,” he says.
With three Best Employee Awards under his belt, According to Zweli, MTN has taught him to
Michael only has fond memories of his time with MTN. give through its corporate social responsibility
“I really like my job at MTN and must say that this programmes. “I have learnt that it’s important to give,
organisation has really been good to me,” he says. not because you have in abundance, but because you
Change is said to be the only constant thing in want to help those who are less privileged than
life and Michael says that dealing with all the changes yourself,” says Zweli.
is one of the most challenging aspect of his time at Zweli says he matured with MTN Swaziland and
MTN. “There are always new products on the market a lot of his experiences with MTN have influenced him
and being part of the communication industry means in a big way.
that I have to keep up with all the changes and also “When I worked in the Distribution Division, my
accept the changes which can be difficult at times.” boss was Rudi Nagel. This man had a huge impact on
Michael says that Marius Van Wyk is the most me and he taught me a lot.”
interesting person he has ever met while at MTN. One of the lessons Zweli took from Rudi comes
“Marius would always tell me that there is no from a quote Rudi always used. “Rudi would always
margin for errors in salaries,” says Michael. say that there are three different kinds of people in the
For Michael, being part of the MTN family brings world. People who make things happen, people who
him joy and he has confidence that MTN is bound to watch things happen and people who wait for things
be larger than life in the future. to happen. He would turn around and ask me which
The one thing that Michael has learnt over the group I belong to,” says Zweli.
past 10 years is that dedicating yourself to your work This helped to turn Zweli into an individual that
always comes with rewards. makes things happen and one who is always ready to
take on the opportunities presented to him.
Michael Ndzimandze. “My birthday message to MTN Swaziland would Zwelithini Mavuso.
be to celebrate our success by being even more
successful. Thank you MTN Swaziland for making me
the man that I am today,” he says.
Yvonne Capel.
Swazi dignatries were present to witness MTN Swaziland's Both young and old attended the event to celebrate with
service achievement. MTN Swaziland.
Senator Winnie Magagula, MTN Swaziland’s though there was a lot of co-operation from most
Chairperson, says she remembers when MTN won chiefs, MTN Swaziland encountered difficulties in
the tender that would allow it to operate in some chiefdoms and this led to development in
Swaziland. At that time it was predicted that the those areas being delayed.
subscriber base would reach 30,000 after 10 years. On the flip-side people took to the network like
But MTN has rewritten the script, and 10 years later wildfire. “MTN was able to make inroads into terrain
MTN Swaziland has an impressive 450,000 not reachable before. We have also fulfilled our
subscribers. mandate in terms of the license to provide Universal
Service Obligations (USO). There are 17 sites based in
Taking a gamble unprofitable areas. We are now able to cover
According to Winnie, the fact that MTN Swaziland was 86 percent of the geographical area and 91 percent of
a totally new venture was a challenge all on its own. the population,” says Winnie.
“The business needed a huge investment in terms of
network and human resources,” she says. It was also a Giving back
risk in terms of how it would be accepted by the MTN Swaziland is not only a big player in the
Swazi people. “This is why government was advised corporate world, but it is also a big player when it
by the research analysts it was working with to give comes to being socially responsible. “Our social
MTN Swaziland 10 years of exclusivity. The whole mandate has been fulfilled in terms of sports, health
project was a real gamble,” says Winnie. and education. We have also supplied skills to Africa
as many of our MTN Swaziland employees and
Not easy but worth it engineers have been recruited to South Africa and
The road that MTN Swaziland has travelled over the the SADC region, Liberia, Uganda, Rwanda and many
past 10 years has been a long one. “It’s been rough – other countries. Additionally we have empowered
the country did not understand how the mobile the local Swazis by giving them the opportunity to
phone business operated. There was the issue of price become entrepreneurs by selling airtime and other
to contend with – many Swazis felt the services MTN products,” she adds.
would be expensive (especially in comparison to
South Africa),” says Winnie.
Additionally, the license did not give Happy birthday MTN Swaziland
MTN Swaziland the opportunity to respond to the
needs of the people immediately as every new “Congratulations on reaching 10 years of operation. I know that because of the
product on the market had to be authorised by the great team spirit and the positive attitudes of MTNers at our Swaziland operation,
ministry. the next 10 years are bound to bring more success.” – MTN Swaziland Honourable
Another challenge was that some of the base Senator Winnie Magagula.
stations were set up on Swazi Nation Land. Even
0 years ago things were different world-wide. People were sporting different hair styles and
clothing and even the kind of music people listened to was different. Here’s how some people
and things have changed over the years at MTN Swaziland.
When MTN began its operation in Swaziland,
the company had a staff compliment of just over
30 people – permanent and temporary staff
Then
combined. And most of them were employed on
a contract basis.
By 1999, MTN Swaziland's staff compliment
had increased to 61 staff members with women
accounting for 24 percent of this figure. Currently,
the MTN Swaziland team consists of over 108 staff
members and 51.5 percent of the contract and
permanent staff are women.
Number crunching MTN Swaziland Corporate Social Investment 1998 and 2008.
Coronation Nxumalo. Ntokozo Mngomezulu. Zanele Twala. Prisca Shiba. Killy Dlamini. 1998 30 employees
1999 58 employees
2000 61 employees
2001 74 employees
2002 86 employees
2003 91 employees
2005 93 employees
2007 98 employees
2008 108 employees
Now
A good leader makes people feel that they’re at Looking back drivers and business associates. With the installation
the very heart of things, not at the periphery. Themba joined MTN Swaziland soon after its birth of a base station on the same hill, MTN enhanced his
They make everyone feel that they make a differ- when the network was relatively small. “Through the life because he was then able to call them from the
ence to the success of the organisation. When experience I gained working at MTN South Africa, I comfort of his home,” says Themba.
Themba Khumalo always this happens people feel centered and that gives believed that we could do a whole lot more in
took the lead and this made their work meaning. Themba Khumalo, a former Swaziland as long as we removed the perception that Looking forward
him a great team player. CEO of MTN Swaziland, is one such leader. rural areas were not commercially viable,” he says. According to Themba MTN Swaziland has a great
According to Themba, communications is a basic future ahead and the ability to be the best and most
service for all people at all levels of society. And today, reliable operator in the Kingdom.
MTN is in almost every corner of the Kingdom and the “It will take a committed and unselfish team to
services it provides have become an integral part of make this a reality. I am confident that the team that
the lives of many Swazis. is in place has the capability to make this dream come
“As you drive around the country today it is not true,” he says.
uncommon to find even a very old person garbed in
traditional attire with a cellphone attached to his
waist,” says Themba. Happy birthday
As Themba looks back at his time with
MTN Swaziland he recalls many moments where he Themba says that he is especially proud to have
felt proud to be part of the company. “One such been part of the MTN Swaziland family.
moment was when a rural businessman who was “Many great people have helped to
running a small fleet of mini buses came up to one of contribute to the success of MTN Swaziland. I am
the future site locations and shared with me that he proud that you have reached this stage and wish
comes up to the same hill many times a day to call his you even better times ahead. Remember your
pioneers and build on that strong base of
goodwill ambassadors, once an MTNer, forever
one – everywhere you go.” – Themba Khumalo.
Themba Khumalo.
Sweet success
Information Service in June. computer lab at the University of Swaziland
I Swazi MTN becomes the first called MTNCyberzone@uniswa worth E750,000.
company to host the Swazi
Monarch in the greens in
2006
I MTN Launches Access 90 (giving subscribers up
September.
to 90 days free access).
I MTN brings Abdullah Ibrahim to Swaziland in
0 years ago MTN planted a seed in Swaziland and now Swazi MTN is reaping the sweet fruits of success.
June.
I MTN launches virtual recharge.
1998 I Launch of call back service in November.
I MTN Swaziland becomes the first cellular Company 2002
I In August MTN Swaziland signs a three year
I MTN launches Sihlangu (national football
2000
I MTN opens another service
in the Kingdom in July.
sponsorship deal with the Premier League of
team) sponsorship worth E9-million spread
centre in Manzini in March. Swaziland worth E1.1-million.
I In April, MTN service fees
over three years in February.
I MTN launches E8.4-Million Premier League of
are reduced by 32 percent
Swaziland football sponsorship spread over
decreasing fees from E110
three years.
to E75.
I MTN increases coverage
from 40 to 65 percent in
November.
I MTN launches short
message service (SMS) in
August.
National Team
The Swazi National Team, Sihlangu Semnikati, is
managed by the National Football Association (NFAS)
and this is the team every Swazi is passionate about.
MTN extended a sponsorship of E9-million at a time
when the team was experiencing a losing streak. This
raised a few eyebrows but in no time, the team’s
fortune was reversed when it beat Togo during the
Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. The National
Team draws players from both the Premiership and First
Division pools.
MTN is for the people • Over the past 10 years MTN, through its engagement of local contractors, has
established 114 BTSes (Base Transceiver Stations) countrywide.
• 14 new BTS sites were built and commissioned since 2007 extending Network
coverage to 86 percent of the country and 92 percent of the population.
• New BTS Sites commissioned since July 2007 are in the following areas; Royal
The Honourable Minister of Tourism, Environment and Communications Senator Thandi Swazi Sun, Matsapha Airport, Lushikishini, Makhungutsha, Mnyokane, Oshoek,
Shongwe shares her experiences of MTN Swaziland. Mbikwakhe, Tambuti, Tsambokhulu, Nkonyeni, Estel House, Dzabe, B6 Forest
and Shewula.
It has been exactly 10 years since Swaziland was A productive partnership order materials for their shops, are able to call their
introduced to the phenomenal and innovative MTN Swaziland’s success would not have been relatives, call the police and ambulances and find out if
world of mobile telecommunications thanks to MTN. possible without the co-operation of MTN, the Swazi materials are available in shops in the major cities before
“Ten years ago the Kingdom, through His Majesty’s government and the people of Swaziland. taking a bus to that city,” says the Senator.
government, paved way for this amazing form of The relationship, which was forged from the outset,
technology,” says Senator Thandi Shongwe, the Minister focused on providing a service that would be attractive Real solutions for the community
of Tourism, Environment and Communications.“At first, and accessible to all. According to Senator Thandi, the country’s topography
technology seemed to be a tool reserved for the rich, “The Government of Swaziland’s role and mandate has always posed a major problem when it comes to
the middle class or working class. since the commencement of MTN’s operations in the network coverage. Nonetheless one of the obligations
“In the 10 years since the company commenced country has been to ensure that communication that MTN had was to provide BTSes in deserving areas
its operations, we have noted a great shift in who uses services are evenly distributed throughout the country. and to ensure that most of the rural communities
it, the affordability of the products and the accessibility It also remains Government’s responsibility to ensure around the country benefitted from MTN Swaziland’s
of the network,” she says. that such services become affordable to every Swazi operations.
During the earliest days of operation the handsets citizen and, most importantly, accessible despite In addition to these BTSes, MTN also installed
alone cost an arm and a leg, maintaining the number geographic setting,” says Senator Thandi. payphones in strategic areas where people who cannot
was exorbitant, as was servicing it. It is for this reason that Government set up a afford mobile phones would be able to make calls using
However as the years have passed the high costs committee called the Universal Service Obligations a coin box.
have dropped drastically to the point where every Swazi Committee (USO).Through this committee Government Local entrepreneurs have been empowered by the
– even school going children – can afford to own a wanted to ensure that MTN provided services to company too, by distributing MTN products and
cellular phone and make calls from as little as E5. customers who may not otherwise be served. services – specifically airtime, SIM cards and handsets.
“By working hand in hand with this committee This has resulted in the creation of employment for a
MTN Swaziland has set up a host of Base Transceiver large number of Swazis who sell airtime at every corner
10 years of success Stations (BTS) to ensure that even Swazis living of the country and earn healthy commissions by doing
in remote areas also have access to mobile so.
“We commend MTN Swaziland for its efforts in assisting government in all these areas communications.” Senator Thandi says, “Anything that reduces the
over the years. We are grateful to have a company that also gives back to society. On The USO conditions in the Swazi MTN license burden on the rural poor in developing countries
behalf of His Majesty’s Government, I would like to congratulate MTN Swaziland for the agreement ensured that MTN Swaziland did not should be considered a good thing. Rural poverty is
tremendous change it has brought about in the country and for the impressive concentrate its efforts only in areas with high returns, probably not going away on its own anytime soon and
improvements it has made over the years to accommodate every Swazi in this amazing but also provided services in areas with low financial stimulating sustainable economic growth through
world of technology. gains so that the economic activity in these remote micro enterprises and information technology is a better
As government we look forward to better days ahead and wish the company a healthy areas could be imporved. “As a result of the cellphone solution than direct aid.”
and sustainable future. We hope to see the company engaging more in the alleviation network, most communities in the country are able to The Honourable Minister of
of poverty, support of local talent, education improvement and many other areas that Tourism, Environment and
need assistance for instance in the fight against the HIV/Aids pandemic.We hope you Communications, Senator
will continue to paint our country yellow in the years to come.” – The Honourable Thandi Shongwe.
Minister of Tourism, Environment and Communications, Senator Thandi Shongwe.
40 0 year anniversary 0 year anniversary 4
Yellow style
As part of MTN Swaziland’s 10th anniversary celebrations, MTNers
Happy Birthday to you
pulled out all the stops and came to work dressed in yellow. MTN Swaziland wishes His Majesty King Mswati III and the entire Swazi nation a happy 40th anniversary.
In 1968, two important events took place in the born. 40 years later, MTN Swaziland wishes the
Kingdom of Swaziland. The Kingdom gained its King a happy birthday and also celebrates the 40th
independence and His Majesty King Mswati III was anniversary of Swaziland’s independence.
Barbara Bush once said that giving frees us from the curtains, a stove and an electric kettle.
familiar territory of our own needs, by opening our Sister Elsa Joseph of Hope House thanked MTN
minds to the unexplained worlds occupied by the for the donation that will make Hope House residents
needs of others. During the 2008 edition of the 21 more comfortable. “Thank you for your gracious
Days of Y’ello Care, MTN Swaziland employees presence and hard work and for making the units so
learnt just how satisfying giving to others can be. beautiful and comfortable,” she said.
MTNers cleaning up the playground at Hope House as part of MTNers got their hands dirty and started a community gardening MTNers gave SWAAGA a facelift to make the environment more
the 21 Days of Y’ello Care Programme. project that will help feed children in Swaziland. welcoming.
The lab is equipped with 42 Lenovo flat screen computers, custom designed workstations, MTN Swaziland CEO Tebogo Mogapi in the high-tech MTN Swaziland, the UNISWA Board of Trustees and other invited dignitaries were all there to
air-conditioning and a cutting edge projection system. laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University witness the handing over of the new computer laboratory at the University of Swaziland.
of Swaziland.
48 Feature Feature 4
Fun at Ghost Mountain Inn The award goes to ...
The Customer Services Department Team attended the Launch Awards evening where
MTN’s Customer The MTN Swaziland Customer Services Operation games, the dancing and all the other activities. The they were rewarded for their outstanding work.
Services team headed to the Ghost Mountain Inn, Kwa-Zulu boat ride at Jozini Dam was the cherry on top! We got
Natal for its team building retreat. The group was to know each other a little better and it gave us a
Operations split into five teams – Thathazonke, Siyavena, The chance to bond with the new members of the team. In April 2008, the Customer Services Charter The Awards event was attended by the CEO
Team took time Pink Lions, Big Ten and Y’ello Zone. We are all looking forward to working better as a was launched at the Boma Restuarant in Ezulwini. Tebogo Mogapi, Heads of Departments, Channel
The weekend retreat was filled with fun and team.” – Mzwandile Lukhele
out from the games and also provided the group with a chance to “This whole exercise was really productive. The
Creating the innovate charter was no easy task. Out Partners, and the Client Relations Team. Tebogo Mogapi,
of the 96 participants trained in January under the Thokozile Vilakati-Jele and Directors of Connect Stores
office for a bit of forge even closer relationships with one another. food, games and other activities were great. A big new charter, 65 of them excelled and were each awarded prizes to those who excelled.
fun and in the Team Thathazonke (taking it all), lived up to its ‘thank you’to those who were in the organising team, awarded a Certificate in Customer Service and GSM.
name and came out the big winner for the weekend. as well as Swazi Trails, for a job well done. We really
process came enjoyed those wonderful moments together as we The following people scooped first prize:
back a much Here’s what some of the participants had to bonded with our co-workers. It is true that there is • Shabangu Thandeka Nkosana Investments
say about the experience: power in collectivity. We built a strong Y’ello Team!” • Baartjies Marcia Manzini Service Centre
stronger team. “This team building exercise was out of this world! I – Thulasizwe Mbhamali • Nxumalo Phetsile MV Tel
enjoyed everything about it – the coach ride, the • Mavuso Zanele Mbabane Service Centre
• Zwane Mlamuli MAXI
• Mbhamali Thulasizwe Call Centre
Customer Services Operations Team having a good time during a boat ride at Jozini Dam.
The second prize went to …
• Ndzinisa Ncamsile Nkosana Investments
• Nkhambule Nomfundo Manzini Service Centre
• Lapidos Happiness MV Tel
• Nduli Lungile Mbabane Service Centre
• Nxumalo Nosipho MAXI
The Customer Service Charter Awards ceremony was • Nkhambule Sebenele Call Centre
enjoyed by all who attended.
Kieren Thurgood receiving his prize from MTN CEO One of the winners gets her prize from MTN CEO.
Tebogo Mogapi.
2 Competition Technology
The silent tsunami
As the world’s population grows so too does the need for sustainable food sources. In Swaziland, recent
droughts have resulted in severe food scarcity, an increase in food prices and the spread of hunger and
poverty from rural areas into cities. Millions more of the world’s most vulnerable people are facing
starvation as food shortages loom and crop prices spiral ever upwards.
The drought that hit Swaziland last year was historic, months ago when the United Nations World Food
causing up to 80 percent of crop failure in areas that Programme (WFP) had projected that 407,000 people
were formerly productive, leaving the hardest hit areas would need food aid by this time. Rains since the start of
with no harvests. Similarly the drying up of dams and the planting season in November had even raised hopes
rivers not only caused crops to fail, but also threatened of fewer dependents. For a country with an estimated 80
livestock. percent of the population living as subsistence farmers,
This led to many families becoming dependent on lack of rain means that people will require food aid to
buying grain in the marketplace. Due to the grain avoid starvation.
shortages throughout the region, the market price of
maize has soared, pricing the staple food out of range for Time for action
most families. As a result, many households are reportedly Various organisations worldwide have stepped in, in an
employing short-term, and often unsustainable, strategies attempt to curb the hunger crisis in Swaziland.
to survive. In particularly vulnerable households, children Esicotjeni Foundation and the World Food
are being pulled out of school, productive assets are Programme (WFP) has called for a holistic approach to
being sold to purchase food and household consumption tackle food insecurity in Swaziland after years of drought.
is often limited to one meal a day. According to the WFP, the hunger crisis is not just
The international community stepped in a few about the lack of rainfall but also about the
Learners from the Dvumane
appropriateness of crops. A suggestion to educate
Primary School in Siteki. farmers on better seeds and cropping techniques has
also been mentioned as a possible solution moving
forward. Various organisations
Closer to home, MTNers, in conjunction with worldwide have stepped in,
Esicojeni and WFP, recently started a food garden project in an attempt to curb the
and also donated a borehole to the Ngculwini
community with the aim of providing food and water to hunger crisis in Swaziland.
orphaned children.
4 Be informed Be informed
go
free
go