An Evotel Production
MRS MOLOI’S MONUMENTAL MOMENT!
OF EVOTEL FIBRE!
AVOID BEING A VICTIM OF SOUTH AFRICA’S AIR POLLUTION!
While reading an Indian telecommunications magazine, I came across an insightful article outlining the risks of air pollution and its impact on internet infrastructure and performance.
This reminded me of our January edition, where we featured the SA Consortium of Air Quality Monitoring (SACAQM) Executive Director, Professor Bruce Mellado, who has been leading efforts to monitor Gauteng’s heavily polluted air.
Did you know that air pollution can corrode internet-supplying equipment? Chemicals like sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react with moisture to form acidic compounds, which corrode metal components in data centres and cell towers, leading to network malfunctions.
Fine dust particles can accumulate on network hardware, causing overheating, short circuits, and reduced cooling efficiency, all of which can impact the stability of your internet connection.
Partnered with Evotel as an internet connection supplier, SACAQM has already launched an initiative to monitor Gauteng’s air quality, a crucial step in safeguarding both public health and technological infrastructure.
The Reality of Air Pollution in Numbers
A credible 2019 study found that 99% of people breathe air that exceeds the World Health Organisation (WHO) air quality guidelines. This not only affects human health but also has a significant impact on network infrastructure.
According to the WHO, air pollution contributes to approximately seven million premature deaths annually due to illnesses caused by household air pollution. The breakdown of these health risks includes:
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – 32%
• Stroke – 25%
• Lung Cancer – 25%
• Lower Respiratory Infections – 6%
This week, I had the privilege of seeing the cutting-edge gadgets used by SACAQM to monitor atmospheric air quality.
While they may look unusual, these devices are critical in our fight for cleaner air and healthier lives.
How Air Pollution Affects Your Internet Connection
From a telecommunications perspective, high levels of airborne particles can scatter and absorb wireless signals, particularly high-frequency ones like 5G, reducing signal strength and reliability. Additionally, when pollution mixes with humidity, it can create smog, which impacts radio wave propagation and causes weaker or less stable signals.
This is one of the many reasons why fibre internet is a superior alternative, and we offer it at a reasonable price.
Imagine preparing meticulously for a job interview, only to have an unstable LTE network ruin the opportunity due to buffering issues—meanwhile, your interviewer enjoys uninterrupted fibre connectivity. Such frustrations were a reality for many before switching to fibre, but now, whether it’s gaming, online meetings, or streaming, air pollution no longer interferes with speed or reliability.
The Bigger Picture: Pollution and Internet Reliability
Pollution contributes to climate change, leading to extreme weather events such as heatwaves and storms. These, in turn, increase power grid failures that disrupt internet connectivity and cause insulator flashovers on power lines, leading to outages.
In high-pollution areas, network providers often need to clean or replace equipment more frequently due to dust accumulation in fibre optic junctions and server vents, which can lead to failures and performance degradation.
Additionally, poor air quality can negatively impact network maintenance crews, leading to longer downtimes for repairs and installations due to respiratory health concerns.
Fortunately, advancements in air quality monitoring are helping combat these challenges.
SACAQM has developed an industry-disrupting air quality monitoring, analysis, and prediction system that combines state-of-the-art air quality sensors with a low-cost Internet-of-Things (IoT) network architecture powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI).
According to SACAQM, their AI-driven system, AI_r, leverages emerging AI and IoT technologies to enhance public health decision-making, risk management, and governance.
With continued innovations and awareness, we can work towards cleaner air and more resilient internet infrastructure.
TENTH ANNIVERSARY FOR EVOTEL!
Can you believe it? Evotel is celebrating its 10th year since launching in 2015!
A decade since its inception in March 2015, Evotel, like any other company, has faced its own challenges but managed to bounce back like an eagle in flight.
However, with its small team at the time, the company held its own and continued to serve its customers—offering fibre-to-the-business in some areas and fibre-to-the-home, which remains the most common service.
Founder Albert Oosthuysen built the brand from scratch with a dedicated skeleton team.
Today, the company has grown into a thriving enterprise, employing over two hundred committed staff members and still expanding.
This is a milestone many companies aspire to, especially in today’s challenging economic climate with VAT increases making business operations more difficult.
This publication spent time with long-serving employees, and they all agree—Evotel is a great brand with a bright future as it continues to grow.
A few years ago, we reported on Rant-enDal resident Piet Nel, the first client to jump onto the Evotel bandwagon in Krugersdorp through the internet service provider (ISP) Cool Ideas.
“I am ecstatic with my Evotel fibre network! I almost forget that I have fibre and internet because I don’t have to think about it,” he said at the time.
Schools that had the privilege of being among the first to receive free internet access include Monument Primary School, Krugersdorp High School, St Ursula’s School, Diederichs Technical High School, and CURAMUS School of Autism.
And now, who takes the cake as the longestserving employee?
DRUMROLL PLEASE… Ta-Da! Sibonisile “Sbo” Mlobeli! – April 2017
Sbo has been with Evotel since 2017, celebrating her eighth year in April after leaving retail to join the fast-paced telecommunications industry.
And she has no regrets about leaving retail, where she felt restricted to selling products without opportunities for learning or growth.
“It was the best decision I’ve ever made in my career,” says the cool-as-a-cucumber Group Accounting Manager.
“I always prayed to be in the corporate world. In retail, I was limited—just selling things. But I wanted a challenge. Now I know everything about telecommunications and Evotel. I understand all the roles today. I’ve grown with this company and have been promoted three times since April 2017.”
She says the telecommunications industry was a completely new environment for her, but she has grown to understand it.
“I used to work in retail corporate. When I joined, I had minimal experience in finance, but under the leadership of our previous Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and shareholder, Steven Auf, I learned a lot.
“He needed a finance administrator, and that’s when I started with minor tasks.
After six months, he promoted me to an accountant. Over time, I added payroll, human resources, accounts, installations, marketing, and support to my skill set.
Basically, I’ve done almost everything. At the time, we were only three employees, and we rotated responsibilities. Finance was my primary focus, but I also took on other roles because the company only had 10–12 employees then.
“When I joined, I didn’t fully understand the company’s vision, but the CEO sat us down and shared it with us. We trusted Albert to lead, and we followed.”
She believes the future looks bright for Evotel, as the demand for internet will last for centuries to come.
Andrew joined Evotel in 2016.
“I was hired to do quality control on the existing Evotel network and ensure everything was built to standard.
But when I started, I was immediately pulled into planning and looking at new areas. That meant not only fixing existing infrastructure but also shaping the future network.
“When we started, we were figuring out how to do things and what was needed to deliver services. Now, we’re defining how the industry should operate. We’ve gone from working in the shadows to leading the way.
“The future is bright for Evotel. Providing internet to homes and areas where it wasn’t previously available is just the first step.
When you attend conferences about AI, Wi-Fi, and new technologies, you realise that access to information is the true enabler of the internet. The Internet of Things can be whatever we make it. I’m excited to see what comes next.”
Lynn Topper – December 2021
“I started here as a receptionist, handling bookings and other tasks. Over time, my role has expanded.
I joined from a mining company and have also worked in banking and vehicle asset management. My background has always been in administration.
“Evotel has grown rapidly from our small office in Desmond Road. I’m sure we all want it to keep growing! It’s fun being at the front door, where everyone knows me. There are still some people I’m getting to know, but that’s part of the journey.”
Prudence – September 2020
“When I joined, there were only seven of us. Look at us today! I started as an Installations Coordinator, then moved to Support Agent, Senior Support Agent, NOC (Network Operations Centre) Agent, and now NOC Supervisor and Manager.
“NOC is where we monitor the entire network. If there’s an outage, I need to know why and how to restore it. My experience in different fibre companies gave me the skills to understand routers, backhaul, and network infrastructure.
“I’m very happy with the company’s growth. We trust the process and share the vision. The future is exciting, and we’ll keep innovating. As an ambitious person, I look forward to growing with Evotel.”
“The company has grown significantly since I started as an Installations Coordinator.
Back then, we were just a few people in a small office. With our increasing number of active clients, I can see the growth. There are more opportunities for staff members. It’s incredible how far we’ve come. Time really flies when you’re having fun!
“Thanks for the opportunity, Evotel. The telecoms business is numbers-driven, but you learn something new from different people every day.”
Thandi Mthombeni – December 2020
“I’ve been here for a long time and look forward to growing with this amazing company. To me, Evotel is a huge company with a bright future.
Since I’ve been here, there have been no retrenchments under Section 189, which is reassuring.
“I’ve been promoted several times. I joined with experience, but Evotel has taken me to greater heights in five years.”
As Evotel marks a decade of excellence, its employees remain passionate about the company’s journey and the exciting
KATHU WAXING LYRICAL ABOUT EVOTEL!
Gamagara Local Municipality’s Manager of Risk, Legal & Compliance in Kathu, Seshupo Letebele, believes that residents have benefitted from Evotel’s fibre internet connection since 2021.
He is of the view that the service could be even better if all local NPOs were also considered for connectivity.
With their friends and relatives connected to this affordable network, Letebele, a client himself, says he enjoys the ease of staying in touch with family and friends across the globe.
He believes that those with an Evotel connection can attest to the uninterrupted internet access, despite loadshedding, unplanned power outages, or the extreme weather conditions that often persist in Kathu.
His family enjoys their devices with the latest multimedia services, streaming Netflix and other entertainment platforms without the dreaded buffering of the past.
Even gamers have been waxing lyrical about the service, as they can now participate in tournaments without having to shout at everyone in the house to disconnect out of fear of buffering or poor network connection.
“I’m speaking from personal experience,” says Letebele, adding that many of his colleagues at the municipal offices are also Evotel clients.
The Fibre Network Operator (FNO) began installing its fibre network on 14 July 2021, following a demonstration for the municipality to illustrate what the trenching process would entail.
Evotel’s planned rollout targets approximately 6,100 homes.
Municipal representatives attended the demonstration to observe the micro-trenching process and were pleased to see it in action.
The installation follows a trenched solution, though not a traditional deep-trenched one.
Instead, it utilises a micro-trenching method and does not rely on existing municipal infrastructure, such as aerial installations where fibre cables are strung between lampposts.
It is not only Kathu in the Northern Cape that is benefitting—residents of Upington and Postmasburg are also pleased with the service they receive.
As part of its commitment to the communities where its network is available, Evotel provides free connectivity to schools, as well as selected local businesses, based on the company’s discretion regarding the business type and mutual benefit for both brands.
In line with its promise of providing uncompromised service to customers and communities, Evotel’s Schools Programme offers free fibre connections to all schools in Kathu, Upington, and Postmasburg that fall within its network.
“We don’t want to be greedy just because we are benefitting, but we would prefer if you could expand your network to other areas within the Gamagara Local Municipality,” says Letebele.
Regarding employment opportunities, the municipality is satisfied but believes there is still room for improvement. “This takes a bit of pressure off us,” he adds.
KATHU,THE IRON ORE CAPITAL OF THE NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCE.
Its name means “town under the trees”, after the Camel Thorn forest it is situated in. The phrase “the town under the trees” was coined by an engineer working in the town in the early-1990s as part of a tourist marketing drive, together with the accompanying graphic.
It was intended to be a marketing slogan. The meaning of the word “Kathu” has anecdotically been attributed to a porridge brewed by the local population from the powder found in the pods of the Camel Thorn trees.
Kathu lies in the middle of the Kalahari desert. It’s a mining town that lies strategically alongside the N14 between Kuruman and Upington, and three hours’ away from Kimberley, to which it is connected by road, rail and air.
The town, which lies 12 km north east of another mining town called Dingleton, but which was then known as Sishen, was originally formed to house workers for the new mine that opened in 1973.
The town of Kathu, one of the fastest growing towns in the Northern Cape, actually lies south of the camel thorn forest, despite being known as the ‘town under the trees’.
Kathu used to form part of the forest, which today, although protected, lies mostly on privately owned farms and land, and relies heavily on the goodwill of residents and visitors, to help protect these thorny trees.
The town boasts with one of the country’s most beautiful golf courses, part of it lying within the camel thorn forest on the edge of the desert.
Rated as one of the top 20 golf courses in the country, the 18-hole course hosts the annual Kalahari Classic and the 2nd stop on the winter leg of the Vodacom Southern African Tour.
Information and images on thid page are from the Kathu.co.za webpage.
SACAQM AND AFRICAWEATHER JOIN FORCES!
This partnership will bring advanced monitoring, hardware, IoT communications, and artificial intelligence to AfricaWeather’s environmental intelligence platform.
The South African Consortium of Air Quality Monitoring (SACAQM) has taken another step towards revolutionising air quality monitoring through a new partnership with AfricaWeather, which will integrate cuttingedge AI_r technology into AfricaWeather’s services.
Evotel is the official internet provider for this initiative, which is set to make a significant impact across Africa.
SACAQM is a consortium of government institutions, research organisations, and industry partners forming a mutually beneficial ecosystem aimed at delivering a cost-effective, AI-powered, and IoT-enabled air quality monitoring system.
It has developed and deployed an innovative, low-power wireless air quality monitoring and AI-driven analysis system that will enhance public health and support the global effort to achieve carbon neutrality.
By partnering with AfricaWeather—an organisation that has been delivering meteorological services and weatherbased risk management solutions for over 17 years—SACAQM will enhance AfricaWeather’s environmental intelligence platform with advanced monitoring, hardware, IoT communications, and artificial intelligence.
This collaboration will enable real-time air quality data and improved decision-making capabilities.
“Being majority-owned by Raise Africa Investments and co-owned by DTN, AfricaWeather is well positioned to augment its in-house knowledge and experience with the vast expertise available within the DTN group of companies,” says Dr Herb Chikwanda, a Director at AfricaWeather and a representative of Raise Africa Investments.
The partnership also introduces generative AI for automated reporting. This innovation simplifies the creation of insightful air quality reports, providing value to users across various sectors.
As part of this collaboration, SACAQM and AfricaWeather will launch a pilot programme focusing on indoor air quality monitoring and intelligence to complement existing environmental monitoring services.
“This partnership combines our expertise in air quality with AfricaWeather’s leadership in weather intelligence,” says Professor Bruce Mellado, Executive Director of SACAQM, Professor at the School of Physics at Wits University, and Senior Scientist at iThemba LABS of the National Research Foundation.
“Together, we’re pushing the boundaries of what technology can achieve for environmental health.”
SACAQM is supported by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, the National Research Foundation, the Canadian International Development Research Centre, and other funding bodies.
AfricaWeather is equally optimistic about the collaboration.
“Integrating AI_r technology into our offerings enhances our ability to deliver actionable insights,” says Ryan Kobus, CEO of AfricaWeather. “This pilot is just the beginning of what’s possible.”
Wits Commercial Enterprise is thrilled to play a role in facilitating this impactful collaboration.
“It is inspiring to see how innovation and partnerships between academia and the private sector can address critical environmental challenges, and we look forward to witnessing the far-reaching benefits this initiative will bring,” says Acting CEO Andrew Hope-Jones.
Indoor air quality is gaining increasing attention as it directly impacts health and productivity. Real-time intelligence enables businesses and institutions to identify issues and implement timely solutions.
SACAQM’s AI_r sensors provide affordable, scalable, and reliable monitoring solutions. Combined with generative AI capabilities, this technology offers unparalleled insights for improving air quality.
This partnership underscores the importance of collaboration in addressing environmental challenges and reflects a shared commitment to leveraging technology for a healthier future.
Top image: Data direct from the SAQAM website showing the stats for 1 day of monitoring in 2 separate locations. One sensor is situated in Sandton and the other at iThemba Labs.
SACAQM’s AI_r sensor pictured to the right.
MRS MOLOI’S MONUMENTAL MOMENT!
Exciting days await Bonolo Moloi, Evotel’s Customer Experience Administrator!
She has five months to prove herself, showing that she has what it takes to shock the country and be crowned iME Mrs South Africa 2025 – but she is as confident as a bird in the sky.
“I’m very positive, though it is nervewracking. It’s a huge competition, but I’m up to the task at hand,” she boasted.
“It is important that I start putting in the work to be in the final.”
Mrs Moloi is currently in the iME Mrs South Africa 2025 semi-finals, where she will compete against hordes of other hopefuls across the country who share the same ambition of being crowned the top married woman of the year.
She has indicated that this is something she has been yearning for since getting married in 2019 and jumped at the opportunity when she saw on social media that entries were open.
“I wasted no time in entering,” explains Mrs Moloi, who joined Evotel in 2022.
“When I saw it on social media, I knew this was what I had been yearning for to complete that part of my life. I was actually drawn to it by all the activities they have for women.
“For me, when I entered, it was not just because I wanted to win but rather to see what I could gain as a woman. They host wonderful seminars for empowerment, groom women in finding their purpose, and I am slowly finding myself.”
She confessed that she nearly missed the boat when she entered, realising that she was the last entry, number 93, before another intake was hosted in Cape Town.
Mrs Moloi acknowledges that there is a flurry of beautiful, deserving women in the semifinals but counts herself among the best contenders in a prestigious competition that has already gone through three stages.
The one to win this year’s pageant will surely want to follow in the footsteps of reigning Mrs World 2024, Tshego Gaelae, who made history in Las Vegas earlier this year by bringing home the coveted tiara (winner’s crown).
Mrs Moloi and all semi-finalists will undergo Judging Week from 2–4 July 2025.
Every time she walks through Evotel’s offices, one of her biggest sponsors, her female colleagues turn to admire her achievements. The same can be said for the married community at shopping malls who recognise her accomplishment.
According to pageant organisers, the selected semi-finalists’ journeys began immediately with an intensive programme of personal development workshops, setting the tone for the year ahead as part of the acclaimed women’s empowerment initiative.
All semi-finalists will gather on Saturday, 12 and Sunday, 13 April, at Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, for a Breakfast Meeting and Semi-finalists Workshop.
“I used to do modelling back in the day at school, and it got serious at tertiary level,” explains the South West Gauteng College Hospitality graduate, who hails from Zone 1, Ga-Rankuwa.
“It all started when I attended modelling classes in Pretoria twice a week some years back. However, as you grow up, other responsibilities creep in, and I had to shift my focus. But I was back on stage after I got married in 2019. This is one of the things I used to enjoy.”
Like many models in the country, Mrs Moloi admires Basetsana Khumalo, the first black Miss South Africa—an achievement that gives her the courage to believe that with effort, one can achieve anything.
Like any other extramural activity, modelling has its challenges, particularly time management when one is fully employed elsewhere.
“Juggling work and attending sponsors’ events, which are usually during the week, is tough to manage. I’ve missed big opportunities at times, like a hairdo sponsorship,” she added.
However, in July, she plans to take time off work to attend the semi-finals week from 2–3 July and the actual Gauteng showcase on Friday, 4 July, at Emperors Palace, Kempton Park.
“This is a completely different pageant. The industry has taken a turn. It’s no longer about weight but about character and personality.
“This is why I’m so proud of Evotel for sponsoring me because sponsorship is one of the prerequisites, and that remains a challenge for many if they don’t have
Previously, I was more into the fashion runway because I used to watch my weight, but not anymore. I’m proud that I’ve previously won the South West Gauteng College contest back at school, and I’m positive that I can still
On Friday, 30 May, Mrs Moloi and the team will mingle with the masses during the Annual Golf Day event at the Glendower Golf Course in Edenvale before Semi-finals Judging Week from 2–4 July.
Marketing manager for Evotel, Nadia Smith had the following to say:
‘‘We are beyond proud of Bonolo for reaching the semi-finals of the MRS SA pageant.’’
‘‘Her journey has been nothing short of inspiring, filled with unwavering dedication, hard work, and an indomitable spirit. Bonolo, you are a beacon of hope and a testament to what can be achieved through sheer perseverance and determination.’’
Smith also stated: “We are honored to be your silver sponsor and to stand by your side on this incredible journey. We are cheering for you every step of the way, and no matter how far you go in this competition, our pride in you knows no bounds.”
“You have already achieved so much, and you continue to shine brightly, inspiring us all with your grace and strength.”
Keep reaching for the stars, Bonolo. Evotel believes in you!
Let us not forget to continue voting for our fellow Evotel Colleague, Bonolo Moloi, who is a semifinalist for the Mrs SA 2025 pageant. Her success in the competition relies on our support and votes. She is dedicated and passionate about the craft. The finalists will be announced in July, and we can only support her by voting. ��
To vote, SMS:
BONOLO MOLOI to 47587 R3 per Sms, free Sms’s do not apply
A TRIBUTE FROM THE PEN OF DEBBIE GOODMANN - HAZEL’S MANAGER.
I am still struggling to comprehend that she is gone.
Our beloved Hazel Dube—independent, funny, strong, and beautiful.
She will never walk through those doors again, smiling and ready to tackle a new day.
She will never ask who has food for her because she finished her lunch before 10 am.
She will never tell us how tired she is, only to get up and dance with us anyway.
Hazie, as we used to call her, had an enormous impact on every single person she met. She had a way of making everyone fall in love with her.
The shock of her passing has left us all reeling. To those of us who worked with her, Hazel was more than just a colleague, an employee, or a friend—she was a big part of our family.
She was our Hazieview, our sensei, our heart. From the moment I met Hazel, I knew she was someone special.
In her interview, she was poised, professional, and graceful—the total opposite of me—yet I felt an instant connection. I couldn’t explain it. I just knew we couldn’t let her slip away. I took her under my wing, but in truth, she became my anchor.
Her efficiency, organisation, and unwavering respect for others made her an irreplaceable force in our lives.
When Hazie started working with me, my son was only three months old.
Between juggling a full-time job, a toddler, a newborn baby, and a moody husband, Hazel became my saving grace.
She tackled every challenge I threw her way with determination and never shied away from learning something new.
Not many people know this, but Hazel had a hidden passion for IT and coding.
She was the only person who could fix some of our complex computer formulas on one of our many Google Sheets.
A TRIBUTE TO YOU, FROM US
Her dedication and loyalty saw her rise from being my assistant to becoming the Installations and Activations Manager at Evotel. She took over departmental queries and tackled challenges like a true leader.
Watching and being part of her growth over the years made me so proud.
But she never excelled alone—she uplifted others, mentoring those under her with the same kindness and wisdom she carried every day.
Our bond and instant connection ran deep.
During a one-on-one session, we decided to list the things that connected us, and we were so chuffed—we thought it was a sign.
1. My mother’s name is Hazel.
2. Hazel’s surname is Dube, which means “zebra.”
3. Zebra is my nickname, and zebras have always been my favourite animal.
Hazel was loved beyond measure.
Things will never be the same.
Time feels like it has slowed down, and everything is happening in slow motion.
Ask yourself:
What would Hazel say?
“It’s all part of God’s great plan.”
Through all the anger, confusion, and heartbreak, one thing has given me some peace—knowing that in the last two weeks of her life, she was on the trip of a lifetime with the person she loved the most. One of her partners in crime—her brother, best friend, and confidant, Theo.
Theo, our hearts ache for you.
Through Hazel, you have become a “distant” brother to all of us at Evotel.
Your sister was in awe of you. She always spoke so highly of you. She was so proud of you.
To the rest of her beloved family and closest friends, again, my deepest sympathies.
To the rest of her beloved family and closest friends, again, my deepest sympathies.
Please take comfort in knowing that Hazel’s legacy will never fade. Everything we do going forward, we will do the Hazel way— with heart, dedication, and kindness.
Hazel, my sweet, irreplaceable Hazie.
I know I’m saying this on behalf of everyone who knew you—you were truly one of a kind. We are all honoured to have known you. We will miss you every single day.
