Female-owned Telecoms Infrastructure SME Rising above the competition

In an era dominated by an insatiable thirst for data, Boniswa Group stands poised to revolutionize South Africa’s telecommunications infrastructure, ushering in a new era of connectivity and digital innovation.

Lynnette Magasa, CEO of Boniswa Group, underscores the company’s commitment to reshaping the telecom landscape amidst the backdrop of industry consolidation and heightened competition. “We are seizing the opportunities inherent in this shifting landscape,” Magasa affirms, highlighting Boniswa’s pivotal role in driving industry transformation.

For Boniswa, a small, female-owned enterprise, the journey has been one fraught with challenges, from navigating funding constraints to competing against industry giants and grappling with regulatory complexities. Yet, through unwavering determination and strategic partnerships, Boniswa has emerged as a trailblazer in the sector.

Supported by key corporate allies such as Telkom, Boniswa has witnessed exponential growth since its inception in 2004, expanding its workforce from a mere five employees to a formidable team of 250. The company’s footprint extends beyond South Africa, with operations spanning Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and even Canada.

Central to Boniswa’s success is its collaboration with Telkom, with the company now spearheading the rollout of approximately 10 tower sites per month for the telecom giant. Operating on a “ready to build” model, Boniswa assumes responsibility for construction compliance, encompassing health and safety protocols, civil engineering, and electrical certification, while Telkom oversees broadcast and transmission regulations.

Eddy Kgomongwe, Acting Chief Executive of Masts and Towers at Telkom, emphasizes the corporation’s commitment to empowering SMMEs like Boniswa. “Our aim is to provide financial stability and industry credibility to SMMEs, enabling them to compete for more opportunities,” Kgomongwe states. For Boniswa, this partnership has entailed innovating tower infrastructure to accommodate multiple tenants, bolstering security measures against tampering and theft, and devising ingenious solutions to safeguard tower batteries.

One such innovation is Boniswa’s development of concrete bunkers equipped with subterranean cabinets, utilizing One Time PIN (OTP) code access technology to safeguard batteries. As Telkom continues its proactive site acquisition initiatives, with 456 approved building plans awaiting construction triggers, Boniswa stands poised to capitalize on a burgeoning pipeline of business opportunities.

“Through our FutureMakers program, we empower SMMEs to innovate and compete in this dynamic telecom landscape,” Kgomongwe remarks, underscoring Boniswa’s exemplary performance within the initiative. Since its inception in 2015, FutureMakers has nurtured over 2,000 SMMEs, fostering employment opportunities and driving economic empowerment within the sector.

Boniswa Group epitomizes the transformative potential of strategic partnerships and entrepreneurial resilience, poised to shape South Africa’s telecom future and drive inclusive growth in the digital age.