Soweto was recently the centre stage for a historic moment as TechNov8 introduced YOMO, South Africa’s first youth-focused Mobile Virtual Network Operator.
CONNECTIVITY WITH PURPOSE: REIMAGINING MOBILE ACCESS
The launch took place at the Hector Pieterson Memorial and brought together youth, community leaders, innovators, and policymakers. It embodied resilience and showcased South Africa’s future potential.
With almost half of South Africa’s youth unemployed, YOMO redefines mobile data as a pathway to jobs, skills, and entrepreneurship.
Also, at the centre of this mission is the yomo-verse, a zero-rated hub for South African youth. It offers training, gig opportunities, financial literacy, wellness, and civic participation.
“YOMO is built on a simple belief: when young people are connected, they are unstoppable.”
“This is about more than data; it is about unlocking ambition, creativity, and progress for South Africa’s youth,” said Jose Andre, CEO of Technov8.
LEADERS RALLY BEHIND YOUTH EMPOWERMENT
YouthLife CEO Ike Makae highlighted how affordable data drives innovation, calling it essential infrastructure for entrepreneurship, creativity, and economic development.
“When we look back five, ten, or fifteen years from now, the question will be: What did you do with what we gave you?” he said.
NYDA CEO Ndumiso Kubheka stressed YOMO’s role in bridging divides for young South Africans. He said it ensures youth everywhere can access education, jobs, and civic opportunities equally
“By connecting young people to affordable mobile services, YOMO is not only bridging the digital divide, it is building digital bridges to education, employment, entrepreneurship, and civic participation. Our vision is one economy and one future. At the NYDA, we are working tirelessly to ensure that youth in rural areas are not left behind,” he said.
“Our 2025–2030 strategic plan commits to three priorities: mainstreaming youth
issues across all sectors of the economy, strengthening ecosystems that identify, train, and place young talent, and expanding access to entrepreneurship. Inclusion is not just a moral obligation; it is an economic strategy,” he added.
