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July 16, 2024
By Thabiso Nkuna
Mpumalanga Premier, Mr. Mandla Ndlovu, has expressed his appreciation for the R500 million investment by mobile operator Vodacom, which includes the donation of a new victim empowerment centre. The investments cover a range of initiatives, from communication solutions to small business support and the fight against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF).
Premier Ndlovu engaged with a delegation from Vodacom to strengthen the public-private partnership. Vodacom Managing Director, Mr. Sitho Mdlalose, informed the Premier that this year the company will invest nearly R500 million in their network to ensure resilience against load shedding and to continue the rollout of the 5th generation mobile network (5G). Additionally, Vodacom plans to expand rural coverage, reaching even the most remote areas of Mpumalanga.
“We were here to meet the Premier to listen to his priorities for the province. We are elated that his priorities are very much aligned with ours as a business enterprise, of serving the people of Mpumalanga,” said Mr. Mdlalose.
Highlighting their commitment to education, Mdlalose noted that Vodacom’s e-Learning platform is available to all users and that several schools in Mpumalanga have been equipped with computer centres, fostering early engagement with information communication technology. Out of 2,500 schools connected to the internet, at least 260 are in Mpumalanga. Moreover, Vodacom has trained 130 interns from TVET colleges in the province, all of whom are now permanently employed.
Mdlalose emphasized Vodacom’s proactive stance in fighting GBVF, training survivors in ICT skills to enhance their employability and economic independence. As part of this commitment, Vodacom plans to donate an additional victim empowerment centre, Thuthuzela Centre, in partnership with the Departments of Justice and Health during August.
Premier Ndlovu praised Vodacom’s investment and their initiatives to support education and combat GBVF. “We had a good meeting with Vodacom. I am very much impressed with the investment they are making, and that our children are benefitting from them,” said Ndlovu. He also commended Vodacom for its contributions to job creation, noting that it aligns with government efforts to create a conducive environment for youth entrepreneurship. Ndlovu expressed his commitment to maintaining a mutual partnership with Vodacom, recognizing the positive impact on the province’s development and the well-being of its residents.