20 Mar 2018

Mascom has played a crucial role in the development of the telecommunications sector since its inception.

Justice Lot Moroka of the Francistown High Court echoed these sentiments when delivering a keynote address during the occasion of Mascom’s 20th birthday celebrations in the second city over the weekend.

Justice Moroka noted that as the first and leading network provider in the country, the company had the burden of leading by example.

He also paid tribute to their contribution not only in the telecommunications space, but also in many other areas of society including sports, culture, arts, people living with disabilities and the less privileged.
 

Consequently, he mentioned that the impact that information and communications technology has in many economies was evident in the development and progress achieved.

In the era of rapid development, Justice Moroka observed that ICT use and implementation were imperative in all sectors of society.

He also explained that the legal sector has not been left behind in the telecommunications revolution. Further, he highlighted that the importance of information literacy and lifelong learning were the basis for development and prosperity.

For his part, Mascom Chief Executive Officer, Mr Jose Couceiro informed his audience that it has been 20 years since Mascom first opened its doors in Botswana.

He explained that the company opened its first office in Francistown in December 2001 along Haskins Road, before relocating to Galo Mall.

“To date Haskins Street is where you find our technical centre and our corporate sales teams,” he added. Mr Couceiro said that in 2015 they went further and opened their second shop at the Sunshine Plaza and noted that the 20th anniversary afforded them the opportunity to reflect and be grateful for the support from Batswana.

Mascom, he asserted, was a market leader with a market share of 53 per cent and over 1.7 million subscribers. In addition, he noted that the company has also been able to support Botswana sport including the Mascom Top 8.

He thanked the City of Francistown for having been great hosts of the Mascom Top 8 for the past three years. Mascom, he highlighted, supports the arts through My Star, Mascom Live Sessions and the Maitisong President’s concert.

He also mentioned that they have engaged in corporate social responsibility projects through the construction of 33 houses for the less privileged under the Presidential Housing Appeal.

In the northern part of Botswana, Mr Couceiro mentioned that they have built houses in Bobonong, Malaka, Lecheng and Lerala.

“It is because of your support that 105 young Batswana are now entrepreneurs and own Mascom Kitsong Centres in various villages,” he highlighted.

As a company, the CEO further noted that they had partnered with BOFINET to provide free internet to all public schools in Botswana. To date, he said they have managed to connect over 450 schools countrywide. On other issues, he explained that as a way of encouraging ICT use and improve internet access, they have launched an online portal called Tsena Botswana, which is accessible for free to all Mascom subscribers.
 

He further noted that public support has enabled them to build a robust network that covers 90 per cent of the population. Mr Couceiro noted that through My Zaka Service they ensure that even those without access to banking services are able to transact and receive money in the remotest villages.
 

To remain the leading company, he also asserted that it is crucial that they invest in the best technology and the Mascom Innovation Centre, a P200 million facility, is the pinnacle of innovation excellence and an example of a futuristic approach to business.
 

Mascom, he said, has also come up with ways to diversify their income streams and expanding their business by launching a subsidiary called Direct BPO.

The 20-year journey, Mr Couceiro noted, has led them to a point where they are now ready to launch fixed internet and voice services, TV streaming, video on demand, and e-commerce. In the process, the company has created employment with close to 400 employees, 99 per cent of which are Batswana while they also have more women as senior managers. During the occasion, the company also recognised their employees in the north who have served the company for five, 10 and 15 years. Ends