An Evotel Production
JANU-WORRY BLUES FOR WHO?
INTEGRATING INTERNET INTO SCHOOLS!
FESTIVE JOY IN LENASIA
OUR GROWTH MOMENTUM CONTINUES IN 2026!
Every year at this time, companies reveal their strategic plans for the 12 months ahead, and we at Evotel are no different, as we reaffirm our commitment to sustaining a reliable network operation throughout 2026.
Mathews Mpete
This comes as we maintain our high-performance network while ensuring seamless connectivity for Evotel’s loyal customers across our growing footprint.
Building on a highly successful 2025, Evotel is positioning itself for another year of expansion, innovation, and customer-centric service delivery.
The past year marked a major milestone for Evotel with the opening of our first physical retail store in Rustenburg. This not only strengthened our presence in the North West province, but also brought the brand closer to the communities we serve.
The Rustenburg store has since become a symbol of Evotel’s hands-on approach and commitment to customer experience, thanks to the dedication of our store coordinators in the Platinum Province.
For 2026, there is a strong possibility that our clients in the Welkom area could also benefit from a physical store, if all goes according to plan.
While details around the new location remain under wraps, the move signals our confidence in our growth trajectory and our intention to deepen our reach in key markets.
The expansion of physical stores complements Evotel’s robust fibre infrastructure, bridging the gap between advanced technology and community engagement.
At the core of Evotel’s plans for the year is network sustainability, which is essential to keeping our clients connected without interruption.
We aim to maintain and enhance our fibre network to ensure consistent uptime, speed, and reliability by investing in proactive maintenance, system upgrades, and operational excellence—demonstrating our determination to deliver a seamless experience that meets the evolving digital needs of households and businesses alike.
Over the past 10 years, Evotel has emerged as a trusted network operator, earning the confidence of customers through dependable service, transparent communication, and a people-first philosophy.
This trust has become one of Evotel’s strongest assets, driving organic growth and reinforcing our reputation in the competitive fibre market.
As the year unfolds, Evotel’s focus remains clear: sustainable network performance, strategic expansion, and an unwavering commitment to the communities we connect.
JANUWORRY BLUES FOR WHO?
NOT UNDER EVOTEL’S WATCH!
January is often one of the toughest months financially. Whether you’ve planned for it or not, it’s still a headache—hence the term Janu-worry.
After festive-season spending, school expenses, and the pressure of starting a new year, many people find themselves cash-strapped and stressed by mounting expenditures.
However, in today’s digital world, a stable and reliable internet connection, offered by Evotel, can be more than just a convenience—it can be a practical solution to improving your life and easing the January financial blues.
One of the most powerful benefits of the internet is access to income-generating opportunities: graphic design, writing and editing, web development and coding, social media management, virtual assistant work, e-commerce, tutoring, and many more.
EVOTEL HELPS YOU LEARN, EARN, PLAN, AND CONNECT WITH BUSINESS!
Even small online tasks or short-term gigs can provide extra income to help cover basic needs while longer-term plans take shape. The internet removes geographical barriers, allowing individuals to earn from local or international clients without leaving home.
Education and skills development are another major advantage.
Free and affordable online courses, tutorials, and webinars make it possible to learn new skills or improve existing ones at little to no cost.
From financial literacy and entrepreneurship to coding and creative skills, the internet empowers people to invest in themselves.
These skills can lead to better job prospects, side businesses, or promotions later in the year.
A stable internet connection also helps people manage money more wisely.
Online banking, budgeting apps, and financial education platforms allow users to track spending, plan monthly budgets, and avoid unnecessary debt.
Comparing prices online before making purchases, accessing discounts, and shopping smarter can make a significant difference when finances are tight.
Beyond money, the internet supports emotional and social wellbeing.
USE EVOTEL INTERNET INTENTIONALLY TO MAKE A LIVING!
January can feel isolating, especially when financial stress is involved.
Staying connected with family, friends, and support communities through online platforms helps reduce anxiety and creates a sense of belonging.
Access to motivational content, wellness resources, and mental health support can also help people start the year with a positive mindset.
Importantly, the internet enables people to plan ahead.
Job searches, business registrations, CV updates, and networking can all be done online, setting the foundation for a more stable year.
Instead of seeing January as a setback, connectivity allows individuals to view it as a rebuilding period.
In a world where opportunities are increasingly digital, reliable internet is no longer a luxury; it is a tool for empowerment.
By using the internet intentionally for learning, earning, planning, and connecting, people can turn a financially challenging January into the starting point for growth, resilience, and long-term stability.
For affordable internet prices, log on to www.evotel. co.za, and you’ll surely find a package suitable for your pockets.
SOUTH AFRICA’S ONLY GOOD STORY TELLERS!
Two of South Africa’s largest fibre network operators (FNOs), Evotel and Net Nine Nine, do not plan to increase their wholesale fibreto-the-home (FTTH) prices in 2026.
FNOs typically update the prices they charge for lines resold by Internet service providers (ISPs) annually, although the precise timing varies from one operator to the next, reports South Africa’s awardwinning telecommunications publication, MyBroadband.
While these price adjustments are not necessarily reflected directly on customers’ bills, ISPs often have to pass on increases to their customers to avoid cutting into their profits.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, many FNOs increased line speeds at no extra cost to provide households with additional capacity amid the rise in remote working and learning.
For a period thereafter, several customers were upgraded to higher speeds at a minimal charge, with no option to remain on their existing packages.
However, in recent years, several FNOs have increased prices while maintaining the same speeds, arguing that these hikes were necessary to address rising operational costs.
The only two FNOs that have confirmed they have no plans to increase FTTH prices in 2026 are Evotel and Net Nine Nine, the two largest of the four operators within the CYNK Group.
Evotel confirmed that it has no plans to increase FTTH prices in 2026, stating:
“In fact, we are looking for ways to increase value for both our ISPs and end consumers. We are expanding our entry-level product set, as well as adjusting the price points of higher line speeds.”
GOVENDER BRINGS FESTIVE JOY TO LENASIA!
Deep in the heart of Lenasia South, where many children in nearby squatter camps face daily challenges of hunger, limited resources, and unsafe environments, one woman has quietly become a pillar of hope—Joy Govender.
Better known as “Mama Joy” in the leafy suburb, the 60-year-old is a committed community builder who has spent years dedicating her weekends, holidays, and personal resources to ensuring that children in her area are fed, protected, and given a sense of belonging—all free of charge, relying solely on donations.
Through her consistent community initiatives, Govender has transformed simple acts of kindness into structured, impactful programmes that touch hundreds of young lives every year, assisted by her daughter and a helper.
From weekly soup kitchen activities to largescale holiday events, the retired aunty’s work reflects the power of grassroots leadership, supported by responsible corporate partnerships such as Evotel, which has been sponsoring all her causes since 2022.
Every Saturday since 2020, Govender has opened her doors and her heart to children from Lenasia South and surrounding informal settlements, including Phumla Mxashi, Formula Cash, and neighbouring areas.
The soup kitchen does more than serve meals; it provides guidance, structure, and dignity.
Children are encouraged to practise good hygiene, respect one another, and understand the value of community.
“I realised very early that feeding children is not just about food,” Govender told Evotel.
“It’s about creating a safe space where they feel seen, guided, and protected. When children come here, they know they matter.”
Beyond weekly feeding initiatives, Govender coordinates four major community events annually, each designed to celebrate children while addressing social awareness:
Easter Programme: Held during the Easter period, where children receive cooked meals and Easter treats such as eggs and bunnies.
June 16 Youth Programme: A youthfocused initiative featuring speeches, dance performances, and educational engagement aligned with youth empowerment.
September 24 Heritage Month Celebration: Brings together cultural performances and activities that promote identity and unity.
Annual Christmas Function: Now firmly established at the local Civic Centre, this flagship event accommodates over 300 children and includes meals, party packs, competitions, entertainment, and safety talks delivered by local police, fire services, and community safety partners.
The Christmas programme has become a highlight on the community calendar and was moved to the community Civic Centre in 2025. This shift has allowed for better organisation, accountability, and safety—a critical factor when working with large groups of children.
“Our children are treated with dignity,” Govender explains.”
“At the Civic Centre, we can manage them properly, keep them safe, and make sure every child receives care, attention, and a meal. We split them into groups of 50s, depending on how many children we are looking after.”
A key enabler of these initiatives has been Evotel, whose sponsorship and support have helped strengthen Govender’s outreach efforts— a programme founded by her late son, Tristian Brian Govender.
From assisting with Christmas programmes to supporting feeding initiatives, Evotel’s involvement reflects the company’s commitment to meaningful community upliftment beyond connectivity.
By supporting grassroots leaders like Govender, Evotel demonstrates how infrastructure and social responsibility can work hand in hand to change lives, particularly in underserved communities.
“Support from partners like Evotel means we can reach more children and do this work with consistency,” she noted.
“When companies invest in communities, they invest in the future.”
Govender revealed that her programmes now attract not only children, but also collaboration from churches, local businesses, community policing forums, and volunteers.
Together, they provide food, education, safety awareness, and positive role models for children who need them most.
In Lenasia South, Govender is more than a community organiser—she is living proof that sustained compassion, when supported by committed partners like Evotel, can build safer, stronger, and more hopeful communities, one child at a time.
INTEGRATING EVOTEL INTERNET CONNECTIVITY INTO SCHOOL YEAR PLANS!
As schools begin the academic year, reliable internet connectivity has become a critical foundation for effective teaching, learning, and administration.
With Evotel’s stable and high-speed internet connection, schools have an opportunity to start the year strong by embedding digital access into their annual plans and everyday operations.
Firstly, schools should include internetenabled learning as part of their curriculum delivery strategy, and Evotel is well positioned to support such efforts.
Evotel connectivity allows educators to access online teaching resources, digital textbooks, educational videos, and interactive platforms that enrich classroom instruction.
Teachers can plan blended learning approaches, based on information gathered by Evotel over the years from schools we have connected with free internet as part of our corporate social investment (CSI).
This combines traditional teaching with online tools to accommodate different learning styles and improve learner engagement throughout the year.
Secondly, school principals have indicated that Evotel internet should be central to learner development and digital literacy goals.
Schools can introduce basic computer and internet skills from early grades, as robotics and coding are gradually becoming part of the curriculum, and no school would like to miss the boat.
Senior learners can use online research tools, virtual labs, and career guidance platforms in this digital age.
By planning scheduled digital learning sessions in the annual timetable, schools ensure that internet usage is structured, safe, and aligned with educational outcomes.
Administrative efficiency is another area where Evotel connectivity can add value.
Schools can plan to digitise records, manage learner data securely, communicate with parents via email or messaging platforms, and submit reports to education authorities online. Including these processes in the annual school improvement plan reduces paperwork, saves time, and improves accountability.
Evotel internet also supports teacher development, but schools should plan regular online training, workshops, and peerlearning sessions for educators.
Continuous professional development can be budgeted for and scheduled within the annual plan, ensuring that teachers stay updated with new teaching methods, policies, and technologies.
Importantly, schools should integrate internet safety and responsible use into their annual plans.
This includes setting clear policies on acceptable use, learner supervision, cybersecurity awareness, and parental involvement. With proper planning, Evotel connectivity becomes a safe and empowering tool rather than a distraction.
Finally, schools can use Evotel internet to strengthen community engagement.
Virtual meetings with parents, online fundraising campaigns, and partnerships with external organisations can be planned throughout the year, expanding the school’s reach beyond physical boundaries.
By intentionally including Evotel internet connectivity in their annual plans, schools position themselves for a more modern, inclusive, and efficient academic year.
Reliable connectivity is not just about access; it is about preparing learners and educators for a digitally driven future.
EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH: A JOURNEY BUILT ON KINDNESS, GROWTH, AND TEAMWORK
Growing up between Klipspruit and the West Rand, with Florida eventually becoming home, our Employee of the Month was shaped by strong family values from an early age. Raised with a deep emphasis on respect, kindness, and family, she learned that patience and compassion cost nothing — a lesson that continues to guide how she shows up every day.
As a child, she dreamed of becoming a teacher, often reenacting lessons at home before starting her homework. While her career took a different route, that natural instinct to guide and support others never left her.
After school, she studied Events Management, inspired by helping plan family celebrations. Her working life began by assisting her dad at his takeaway shop, followed by her first formal role as a cashier at Al’s Hardware. There, she gained valuable lessons in responsibility, attention to detail, and customer service — including how to handle challenging situations (and refunds).
Her journey continued through online teaching and later at Ricoh SA, where she developed a growing interest in technology and systems. These experiences built her confidence, problem-solving ability, and adaptability — all of which paved the way to Evotel.
She discovered Evotel through a fibre installation at her mom’s home and a neighbour who worked at the company. Three years later, she remains part of the team, still learning and growing. From her first day in Support, she felt welcomed, even as the fast-paced environment and technical learning curve challenged her. Through patience, persistence, and curiosity, she found her footing.
Today, her role balances team leadership, operational support, and service delivery. She thrives on being challenged and finds great satisfaction in supporting her team through complex queries. One of her proudest achievements was introducing a quality auditing process to help agents improve their service levels — now a monthly assessment that supports continuous growth.
Since joining Evotel, she has grown both professionally and personally. She’s developed strong leadership skills, greater confidence, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. One lesson stands out above all: success is built on teamwork — at work and at home.
Being named Employee of the Month for November 2025 was an unexpected honour that reinforced the value of consistency, dedication, and a willingness to help. Looking ahead, she aims to continue growing as a leader at Evotel while maintaining balance through faith, family, and self-development.
She closes by thanking everyone at Evotel for their support, with special appreciation for her manager, Maartens, whose guidance and trust have played a meaningful role in her journey.
