By Lebohang Mokhele
In many South African townships, internet connectivity has long been viewed as a luxury rather than a necessity, but in an increasingly digital world, access to affordable and reliable broadband has become as essential as electricity and water, enabling education, entrepreneurship, employment and social inclusion.
For residents of Sakhile, a township on the western edge of Standerton in Mpumalanga, this digital transformation took another important step forward on 5 June 2026 when Net Nine Nine officially opened its new fibre store in the community.
More than just a customer service centre, the store represents an investment in people, relationships and local economic development.
Situated on a corner of busy intersection, at 3352 Hlongwane Street, the facility serves more than 2 000 households that have embraced fibre connectivity as a gateway to new opportunities.
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It also provides residents with a physical space where they can receive personalised assistance, resolve technical queries, subscribe to internet packages and engage directly with representatives of the company.
For a township with a complex history, the opening of the fibre store carries symbolic significance.
Located within the Lekwa Local Municipality, with their offices just a stone throw away from our new store, Sakhile was established during segregation years, and dwellers in that part of the town make their living through industrial and agricultural sectors of Standerton.
Decades later, the township remains deeply rooted in South Africa’s struggle for equality and local development.
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Like many communities across the country, Sakhile continues to grapple with high unemployment levels, and the hunger greets you when you enter through the first intersection, limited economic opportunities and persistent service delivery challenges.
Against this backdrop, access to affordable internet has emerged as a powerful catalyst for social and economic change.
Recognising that connectivity alone is not enough, Net Nine Nine has adopted a community-centred approach aimed at embedding itself within the areas it serves.
“The opening of our fibre store is about much more than offering internet services,” explains Zoleka Mashiane, Events Coordinator at Net Nine Nine.
“These store launches are not only for offering personalised services to our clients, but they empower communities through job creation and recruitment drives that aim to alleviate unemployment within the community.”
Her sentiments reflect a growing understanding within the telecommunications sector that infrastructure investments should also translate into tangible benefits for residents.
CREATE PATHWAYS INTO DIGITAL GROWTH!
The Sakhile store has already become a platform for nurturing local talent and creating pathways into the digital economy.
Gugulethu Dube, team leader for Net Nine Nine’s sales agents in Sakhile, has witnessed first-hand how employment opportunities within the company are helping young people gain valuable workplace experience.
“The youth employed by Net Nine Nine has gained a lot of valuable skills,” she says.
“Skills such as customer service, built through constant engagement with community members, have helped build their self-confidence. This opportunity has helped them achieve their goals and enhance their experience as sales agents.”
For many young South Africans, especially those residing in townships and rural areas, securing a first job can be a daunting challenge.
Companies that invest in local recruitment and skills development not only improve livelihoods but also contribute to creating more resilient communities.
