Mpumalanga Business 2022-23

Boost for Limpopo and
Mpumalanga
SPECIAL FEATURE
General Manager Kagiso Moncho shares good news for the region as MTN SA
invests R820-million into network modernisation and infrastructure.
Kagiso Moncho, MTN General Manager,
Northern Region
MTN SA is ramping up investment to
modernise existing and deploy new
network infrastructure across Limpopo
and Mpumalanga. The R820-million
investment will go toward MTN’s “Modernisation of
Network South Africa project” (MONZA) as well as
expanded rural reach, 5G expansion and restoration
of vandalised network infrastructure.
“Our aim is to significantly enhance access
and open the door to new digital opportunities
for many more people across the province. Our
investment is specifically targeted at increasing
network coverage, improving throughputs, and
connecting the previously unconnected,” says
Kagiso Moncho, General Manager: Northern Region
from MTN South Africa.
The MONZA rollout in the two provinces will
include modernisation and new sites. The extension
of MTN’s 5G connectivity includes rolling out new
sites in 2022.
Another major highlight will be rural
connectivity to help close the digital access gaps
in South Africa. More than 700-million people in
Sub-Saharan Africa remain offline and at risk of
exclusion from the emerging digital economy.
“We have extensive plans to drive growth and
connectivity solutions into under-serviced areas.
With unemployment in South Africa reaching new
peaks, it is critical to focus on harnessing digital
solutions to drive the recovery, especially in those
areas that were hardest hit,” Moncho adds.
“An important point is that the pandemic,
loadshedding and the prevailing economic
environment have underscored the value of
mobile networks, which remain the only form
of Internet access for many. MTN’s investments
are directly targeted at accelerating recovery
and significantly enhancing growth and job
opportunities,” says Moncho.
One stumbling block to growth remains
the activity of criminals and syndicates. Due to
high incidences of vandalism and battery theft,
MTN has partnered with Bidvest Security and
set aside an additional R101-million in 2022 to
combat this criminality.
“Ensuring users receive quality and network
stability is our number-one aim, but the fight
against battery theft and vandalism remains a
major hindrance. I am pleased that our ongoing
efforts to make a dent in these criminal acts are
seeing change, but all South Africans are requested
to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity,”
says Moncho.
“We have big targets this year in Limpopo
and Mpumalanga. Every completed project, or
success achieved against battery theft, ensures
our clients can take that one step forward and
benefit from the magic of the modern, connected
world,” concludes Moncho. ■
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MPUMALANGA BUSINESS 2022/23