Here’s to the next 30 years of wonderful
Vodacom celebrated its 30th birthday this year, marking three decades of connecting South Africa and innovation in the telco industry – and there has never been a more opportune moment for us to demonstrate our purpose. Join our colleagues as we look back on this remarkable journey.
With so many wonderful moments over the last 30 years, imagine what we could do in the next 30.
At the Vodacom SA Townhall in April, CEO Sitho Mdlalose dedicated the first half of the event to the celebration. The Brand team was out in full force to launch the new ad campaign that celebrates 30 years of diversity, purpose and “wonderful”.
Andisa Ntsubane, ME: Brand, Marketing and Sponsorship, gave a 30th birthday update and unveiled our moving new TV ad.
Leaders and staff from across Vodacom South Africa shared birthday messages and cherished memories of our company’s first three decades.
“Thirty years ago, on 1st June 1994, Vodacom South Africa made history with its first commercial mobile call.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have been a part of this incredible journey from day 1, witnessing the incredible impact that Vodacom has had on connecting South Africa, and it fills me with immense pride.
“Our ambition was to connect 320 000 subscribers in five years, a number that we surpassed in just eight months – and the rest, as they say, is history. We wanted to employ 400 staff members in 10 years, and incredibly we reached 4 000 employees in 10 years.
“A huge congratulations to the entire Vodacom SA team for reaching this significant milestone. Your dedication and passion have been instrumental in shaping the communication landscape in South Africa, and changing lives for the better.
“Here’s to the next 30 years of connecting our nation to a brighter future! #VodacomTurns30”
“On 1st June 1994, we proudly switched on Vodacom’s network, making the first commercial mobile voice call in South Africa!
“From that historic moment, we’ve been on a journey to connect people, businesses, and communities across our nation. We wouldn’t be where we are today without you all, and we’re incredibly grateful for your support over the past 30 years.
“As we celebrate the milestones we’ve achieved together, we are excited for what the future holds as we continue to innovate and connect South Africa to the world. Here’s to the next 30 years of innovative technology! #VodacomTurns30”
“In 1994 I joined Vodac, Vodacom’s service provider company. I had a Panasonic EU 2000. We had to travel to where the network brought sites live, in order to sign up customers. What an incredible journey it has been. SUPER proud!” – CH
- “Each staff member received a Parker pen because we had 10 000 subscribers (Vodac). Our office was in Protea Place in Sandton. Later on, we moved to Gwen Lane.” – HS
- “In 1994 I was still aspiring that one day I would be working at Vodacom. I am now a proud Vodacom employee – 17 years and counting. So privileged to be part of this amazing company and celebrating its 30 years. Here’s to the next 30 years!” – DM
- I remember having to recruit call centre agents for Customer Care. Even then our brand was so powerful, people were queued around our main buildings (it looked like election day), all with CV in hand wanting to join the Vodacom family. Today, we still have many of those who queued working here.” – HV
- “Making the first 3G video call in South Africa.” – HdP
- “I worked the first New Year’s Eve graveyard shift in the call centre back in 1994 (Alone! 15-minute queue… not a problem). When prepaid went live and 121 voicemail retrieval was free for the first time, customers went crazy with excitement.” – SE
- “So proud that Vodacom has been such a powerful force in bridging the digital divide, giving all Africans access to maps, libraries, encyclopaedias, job portals, training, entertainment, access to business information, news and the world.” – TU
- “In April 1994, as we started the first mobile network in South Africa, we worked in Pier Place in Cape Town in the data centre and were sitting on outdoor patio furniture to do the network monitoring 🙂 When we got proper chairs, during the night shifts of monitoring the network in that cold data centre, two of us would work through each night and sometimes have chair races across the data centre room (which was still mostly empty at that stage – just a few computer racks on one side).
“Then when we moved up to the second floor, the guys used to sometimes have small braais and make boerewors rolls in the stairwell, and you could smell the meat flavours wafting through the area as you worked – can you imagine that! LOL ;-)” – RB
- “I have been a fan of Vodacom since its inception and followed them throughout their history. I was only able to join the company once I finished school and started in January of 2006. This year is my 19th year at the company, and I still have a mini museum at home of devices and memorabilia that are close to my heart. Here’s to the next 30!” – KS
“Simply loved it when ‘pay as you go’ was launched as I didn’t qualify for a mobile contract. Saved some money and bought my first phone, an Ericsson 337. Worked wonders for me with prepaid airtime and always having access to make and receive calls.” – KS
- “I joined in October 2008 as a full-time employee in the old Pier Place building in Heerengracht Street when Vodacom was still blue and green and your parking spot had your actual name on it (at least in Pier Place) for those eligible to receive those expensive leased bays.
“Never a dull moment thus far. Interesting with the new employees as they come into the workplace and their ideas and generally how to get things done.
“I think when I was sent to a social activist’s house who complained about Vodacom’s service, and had tweeted Vodacom and Shameel on it, and then fixed the problem and gave Shameel feedback on it – and he confirmed with the customer on satisfaction in real time – it gave me a sense of how Vodacom has come to empower the nation and how people in general expect instant service.
“Simple as switching on a light. So when there are coverage issues for whatever reason on Vodacom’s side or external, that we take the time to listen, understand and take ownership to fix a customer experience.
“It is all too easy to get caught up in reports and internal enhancements within the business, but we should be customer-focused and fix things first time, every time, correctly. I believe that will, with #focusedinnovation, further secure the future of Vodacom.” – FI
- “My first phone was the top-of-the-range 3310. It came with a cover. The cover was to protect the floor, not the phone :-)” – IS
“Same number for 20 years!” – RC
- “It must have been around 2001, shortly after the Vodac, Teljoy and GSM merger. We had just moved into Service Park, New Business Department.
“We had endless systems issues, which caused high volumes of applications and major backlogs. There were numerous angry customers and disconcerted store owners who went to the extent of contacting Shameel, who was MD at the time.
“One Saturday while at work/on shift, a vehicle pulled into the parking lot. If memory serves, it was gold in colour – a BMW convertible. My team and I looked on as the driver exited the vehicle. One team member said it must be a customer.
“Long story short, it was actually Shameel, who came by to assist the team to process Fasttrack queues. One thing that stood out for me is Shameel’s calm and humble demeanour. He walked in, asked who was in charge and then introduced himself. And with a deep voice, he said: ‘Please use me. I’m here to help.’
“Shameel came in ready with all the logins needed. I then set a PC up for him, showed him the ropes, and after a short while he started working.
“That for me was Leadership 2.0. The attitude that ‘we’re all in this together’. The epitome of FURTHER TOGETHER!” – NP
