Byline: Refeloe Letsoisa

16 July 2025

It all began in 2015 with a bold vision: to bridge the digital divide, bring high-speed internet connectivity to underserved communities, and redefine customer-first service in the telecommunications industry.

On Friday, 11 July 2025, Evotel celebrated 10 transformative years of innovation, growth, and impact across South Africa, channelling the country in a different direction within the Fibre Network Operators (FNO) in the country.

Chief of Staff, Nicholas Thipe has indicated that it all started from humble beginnings with just a handful of employees and has grown into a powerhouse in telecom solutions in the country – delivering fibre internet service to hundreds of thousands of users nationwide.

Now with a flagship store in Rustenburg and a workforce of over 64 employees, the company’s decade-long journey is a story of resilience, technological excellence, and community empowerment.

“We are more than just a telecom provider – we are enablers of connection, opportunity, and change.

Celebrating 10 years is not just a milestone; it’s a testament to the trust our customers have placed in us and the dedication of our incredible team. It is more of community upliftment than revenue,” said Thipe.

Major milestones over the decade (2015-2025):

· Launched Evotel operations with a focus on affordable fibre internet packages;

· Rolled out the first community-based internet in Krugersdorp;

· Introduced nationwide fibre-to-the-home services;

· Achieved just over 150 homes passed in seven provinces;

· Launched and connected the first school’s initiative, starting with Krugersdorp High School with free internet;

· In-housing of just about 64 staff members, growth from seven when it started, then 15 and up it went.

“Unsurprisingly, we rolled out fibre into many homes during the Covid-19 period when everyone was stressed, and we became a solution to communities. We had a lot of clientele who signed in that period when everyone was stuck at home during lockdowns. This is one for the books,” said Thipe.

He said they’ve just started with their mission to keep South Africa, and eventually Africa, connected, competitive, and confident in the digital age.

Thipe said he believes what they’ve started cannot be undone: “We planted a seed onto dry soil, and today we are one of the best FNOs in South Africa,” he declared.

“We are built on values of innovation, affordability, and access; the company continues to lead the industry in transforming lives through technology.

This is something to embrace. The 10 years should mirror the past. We are grown-ups now and have a strategy,” he said.

He said their biggest dream is to sign up as many clients as possible and be listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).