KZN can also expect to benefit from Vodacom’s move to being a fully-fledged ICT company. “The mobile offering will always be the core of our business, but we’ve ventured into the convergence market thereby expanding our product offering to wireless solutions, fixed solutions and converged (APN’s, Dual access, gated services), said Matandela.
Having moved to Durban from Johannesburg in September 2008, Wanda has had time to adapt to the “big change” between cities. He loves the fact that you can move from one side of Durban to the other in 30 minutes and admires the positive spirit of its people.
“People here are incredibly passionate about their city and their province. They are proud of the Moses Mabhida stadium, uShaka and the new airport – it’s a wonderful sense of community you don’t get outside KZN.”
On the business front he waxes lyrical about the effective communication and co-operation in the province. “Everyone knows everyone and everyone is connected so your business ethics and reputation have to be exemplary or word will spread very fast. I also sense a high level of co-operation between local and provincial government and admire the joint ventures between the city and the Durban Chamber of Commerce.”
Competitive
Being the first company in the South African mobile space gives Vodacom an edge in a highly competitive industry, but Matandela is well aware that loyalty has to be earned and respected. “Customer service and subsequent support is paramount to our success,” he says. “We’re constantly looking at how to improve our technology and our service so that we continue to provide trust, stability and reliability.”
And with the mobile phone business having such an aspirational focus, it stands to reason that Vodacom has a broad corporate social responsibility programme – incorporating everything from building schools and providing life-changing operations to planting vegetables and environmental clean-ups – and high-profile marketing initiatives. In KZN think the Vodacom Durban July, the Umhlanga Vodacom Summer Carnival, Vodacom Easter Fever (Ballito and Margate) and the Vodacom Super 14.
“We’re in an industry that is constantly evolving … think how we’ve moved from ‘brick’ handsets to blackberrys and iphones,” said Matandela. “So while we fill the aspirations of the youngster who wants the ‘wow’ factor, we also have to satisfy the older client who just wants a phone that’s easy to use.”
• Matandela is moving on to take up a new role of Managing Executive in the Eastern Cape region, a role that includes not only commercial but also building Vodacom’s infrastructure. His successor has yet to be announced.