When the former President of the Republic of Botswana, Festus Mogae, made that first phone call using the Mascom mobile phone 17, it was beyond most of Batswana’s imaginations that one day mobile phones would be able to do the most menial tasks like opening electric gates, operating television channels and basically operating most of the household equipments like washing machines and air conditioners.
Mascom Cellular Network has made strides in Botswana ensuring that they are abreast with all modern technology regarding cellular phones. Chief Executive Officer, Jose Couciero, said that Mascom has supported sport citing the Mascom Top 8, Arts and Culture citing the My Star sponsorship Thapong Artist of the Year, Mascom Live Sessions and the Maitisong President’s Concert, a 99% citizen employment and a total of 81 Kitsong centres spread vastly all over the country. The highlight of the evening had to be when he was reciting the list of villages where Mascom is available to Batswana. He had the audience in stitches when he had to wrap his names like Matshelagabedi, Sefophe and Ramokgonami.
Aside from these, Mascom has provided a total of 22 homes for ‘Deserving under privileged families’ since 2010 in Ramotlabaki, Molepolole and Gamodubu, Mogoditshane / Tsolamosese and Bobonong.
Couciero further explained how the Kitsong centres function stating that, “The Kitsong Centre comprises of a branded Porta-cabin equipped with computers, printers, copiers and Data cards. These Centres are then handed to a carefully selected youth to operate as their own business.
Mascom Kitsong Centres provide essential services to communities around the country; these services include email and internet, Mobile money, airtime and simcard sales as well as printing and photocopying.”
Another service that has proven to be very popular among Batswana is the ‘My Zaka’, a Mobile Money service that ensures that Mascom customers have a convenient, secure, and affordable way of managing money as customers can do that on their phones. Mascom was the first to introduce Mobile Money through MyZaka or Mascom Money in 2011 and to date the service boosts of 137 thousand customers,” said Couciero.
In conclusion, Chief Marketing Officer, Dzene Makhwade Seboni, explained the latest milestone from Mascom is the intentions for the next generation of mobile broadband technology, 4G/LTE, “Having successfully trialled 4G/LTE we are now taking the next logical step. Our evolution is a testament to our commitment to provide world Class mobile broadband services,” explained Makhwade Seboni.
The evening proceeded to the sounds of local artist ATI and a Dj as the Mascom team and their gusts danced the evening away in celebration of Mascoms 17 years of being the leading Cellular Network provider holding on to the market share of 52%.