Vodacom Group CEO, Shameel Joosub, was on a two-day visit to Lesotho on 7-8 August 2023. He was accompanied by Diego Gutierrez, Chief Officer-International Business and Mamello Selamolela, Managing Executive-Group Strategy & Innovation. During the visit, he held engagements with key stakeholders in government, regulatory bodies and business to reaffirm Vodacom’s commitment to Lesotho. He also paid a courtesy call on the Right Honourable the Prime Minister and His Majesty King Letsie III. On his meeting with the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Samuel Matekane, Mr. Joosub stated: “We discussed a number of issues that included digital and financial inclusion, cyber security, and how Vodacom was going to collaborate and partner with the government on its digitization agenda noting the need to unlock other opportunities that have potential to create jobs for the youth within a digital economy.”

Shameel and his entourage also met with the Lesotho Communications Authority’s CEO Mr Nizam Goolam and the Minister of Information, Communications, Science, Technology and Innovation Ms Nthati Moorosi. Discussions centred on wide ranging issues that included partnerships to increase rural coverage, access to basic “free” internet and infrastructure sharing to reduce costs and deploy stronger partnerships and collaboration on cyber security.

Shameel further met with key business leaders from different sectors at a breakfast meeting, where the Governor of the Central Bank of Lesotho, Dr Maluke Letete shared the status of Lesotho’s economy – highlighting key challenges and opportunities for growth and how the private sector can partner and support government to digitise and unlock opportunities to create jobs and fast-track economic growth.

The visit was also intended to bolster the relationship between Vodacom Lesotho and Vodacom Group, the government, development partners and the private sector to accelerate growth and transform businesses and government through inclusive digital technology, which could be leveraged to open markets for businesses, particularly for small businesses.

The country visits also served to understand market challenges and explore opportunities for further investment in order to cement the operation as the country’s leading network provider as well as explore the next wave of opportunities for societal transformation. During a staff townhall meeting, Shameel pledged the Groups resources and continued support in ensuring that Vodacom Lesotho continues to play its chosen and treasured role in society.

Vodacom has embarked on a transformational journey from a traditional telco to a technology communications company. It is currently investing in the latest gigabit network technologies and modern digital IT systems to connect its customers for a better future. Vodacom continues to work on deepening relationships with its customers and stakeholders, listening to their concerns, sharing ideas and engaging on how to better connect for good, with inclusive growth being a particular emphasis.