DIGITAL ACCESSDriving
DIGITAL ACCESSDriving digital transformationMakwaIT Technologies has signed an expanded Master Reseller partnership with HitachiVantara across 31 African countries, aimed at addressing the challenges of balancinginnovation with data control, infrastructure reliability and cost-effective cloud adoption.MakwaIT Technologies, one of South Africa’sfastest-growing digital technology companies,has been appointed as a Hitachi Vantara MasterReseller for 31 countries in Africa. This is thelatest in a series of partnership agreements to expandMakwaIT’s solution portfolio on the continent and followsthe recent announcement of its collaboration with Workday.Rishi Birbal, Chief Strategy, Partnerships, M&A andSustainability Officer at MakwaIT, says the Master Reselleragreement strengthens the existing relationship betweenthe two companies, which has supported enterprisestorage and computing infrastructure for some of SouthAfrica’s biggest banks over the past three years. “Thispartnership advances our growth strategy by improving ourtechnological capabilities, giving us a competitive edge andenabling us to offer cost-effective, value-driven solutions toour customers. It also positions us to better address evolvingcustomer needs and assist organisations across Africa withprivate, public and hybrid cloud solutions.”He adds that the agreement aligns with MakwaIT’sAI-driven digital strategy: “With increased demand for datasovereignty and privacy, we can now provide on-premisessolutions that enable enterprises to implement secureprivate clouds while leveraging AI-driven innovation.”Gerald Painter, General Manager for Hitachi Africa,welcomed the partnership: “We’re excited to expand ourrelationship with MakwaIT Technologies, a trusted partnerfor clients who depend on critical infrastructure and AIsolutions. This partnership is a natural fit – together, wedeliver the reliability, innovation and expertise businessesneed to accelerate digital transformation.”The collaboration combines Hitachi’s enterprise-gradeinfrastructure with MakwaIT’s AI-driven solutions to deliversecure, scalable private/hybrid cloud systems – alreadyproven in South Africa’s banking sector.“Integrating Hitachi’s solutions into our broadertechnology portfolio expands our ability to supportthe transformation of banks and enterprises across thecontinent,” concludes Birbal.ABOUT MAKWAIT TECHNOLOGIESMakwaIT Technologies is one of the youngest and fastestgrowingdigital technology companies in South Africa,helping customers in both the private and public sectorsrealise the benefits of digital transformation. It strives tocontinuously optimise and enable its clients’ businessesthrough its wide range of IT solutions which includebig data analytics, cloud services, network security anddata centre switching, among others. Not only are theseprovided to large enterprises but to small and midsizebusinesses too, enabling them to respond dynamically tothe ever-changing business environment.For more information, go to https://makwa-it.comMichelle Duncan, Head of Governance, Risk andAssurance at MakwaIT, together with Brendan Tobin,Partner and Alliance Manager, Hitachi Vantara.PHOTO: Rawpixel on Freepik36 | www.opportunityonline.co.za
TELECOMSBridgingthe African digital divideLynnette Magasa, Founder and CEO, Boniswa Group, believes there are significantgrowth opportunities in South African telecoms.What sparked your interest in telecoms?My journey into telecommunications began during my tenure atDenel Aviation, where I started as a receptionist and later transitionedinto the Human Resources department. This role provided me witha comprehensive understanding of organisational operations andsparked my interest in the technological aspects of the business.I pursued further education in Information Technology, earningan MTech degree. This academic pursuit solidified my passion fortechnology and its transformative potential.How did it happen that you created a company?My journey into entrepreneurship was driven by a vision to bridgethe digital divide in Africa. I recognised a significant demand forreliable infrastructure and services. This, combined with my passionfor technology and commitment to community development, ledme to establish Boniswa Corporate Solutions in 2004.How were you able to expand so quickly?In 2006, we expanded into Zambia and Swaziland by capitalisingon strategic partnerships and a deep understanding of localmarket needs. Our commitment to delivering high-qualitytelecommunications services enabled us to establish a strongpresence and execute key projects effectively.How were you able to secure contracts with bigtelecoms players?Securing contracts with major telecommunications companieswas pivotal for growth and credibility. These partnerships notonly expanded our operational capacity but also affirmed ourcommitment to delivering high-quality services. We earned the trustof these industry leaders by consistently demonstrating expertise,reliability and understanding their needs. Our ability to offercomprehensive, turnkey solutions, combined with a track recordof successful project execution, assured them of our capability tohandle significant assignments. Additionally, ourfocus on innovation and adherence to industrystandards solidified their confidence.What sets Boniswa apart from other companies?Its comprehensive approach, offering end-to-endsolutions from manufacturing to infrastructuredeployment. Innovative products such as high-security, vandalproofsemi-subterranean transmission cabinets address specificchallenges in the African telecoms market. Boniswa has garneredsignificant recognition, including the Technology Company of theYear award at the 2023 Sentech Africa Tech Week Awards, reflectingthe company’s dedication to excellence and its impactfulcontributions.As the winner of HR awards, pleaseexplain your HR philosophy.We prioritise our employees as our most valuable asset. We cultivatea performance-driven culture that emphasises equal opportunitiesand continuous investment in our team’s growth. This includesregular skills training, health assessments and competitivecompensation. Our commitment to staff development has fostereda loyal and experienced workforce, ensuring consistent qualityservice delivery and strict adherence to health and safety standards.What are the areas of your businessthat are expanding most rapidly?Manufacturing Division: We’ve developed high-security, vandalproofsemi-subterranean transmission cabinets to combat basestation vandalism in Southern Africa.Turnkey Telecommunications Solutions: Our comprehensive services,encompassing everything from design to implementation, havepositioned us as a preferred partner for major telecoms operators.These expansions reflect our commitment to deliveringinnovative solutions and bridging the digital divide across Africa.Are you upbeat about the South African telecoms sector?I am optimistic about the future of South Africa’s teleommunicationssector. The increasing demand for digitalconnectivity, advancements in technologies like 5G and efforts toexpand services into underserved areas present significant growthopportunities. Regulatory bodies are making strides to adapt to thisevolving landscape, as seen with the recent public consultationson spectrum management. However, to fully harness the potentialof these technological advancements, it’s essential for regulatoryprocesses to become more agile, ensuring they keep pace withrapid innovations and effectively address the dynamic needs ofthe industry.Lynnette Magasa,Founder and CEO,Boniswa Group.BiographyA self-made entrepreneur, Lynnette built her empire without formal engineering training, earning accolades likeCEO of the Year 2024. Passionate about youth and women empowerment, she funds bursaries and mentors futureleaders. Lynette is also a global voice on SME development, regularly engaging with the UN, WTO and B20 TaskForce on digital transformation and inclusive trade.www.opportunityonline.co.za | 37
