Carol Buys holds a unique place in MTN history: her boss, Karel Pienaar, was MTN employee number one, and she was employee number two.

Her journey with the company began before MTN even existed, working as a temporary secretary at a chemicals company. In 1991, she submitted her CV to M-Net for a position within their fledgling Communications Technology (CommTech) unit – which would eventually become MTN.

The thrill of the early days

Hired on the spot, Carol (formerly Carol Damons) found herself immersed in a whirlwind of excitement and anticipation. ‘There was an incredible vibe from the very beginning,’ she remembers. ‘I'd never experienced such excitement before – and I haven't experienced anything like it since. We were on a mission, and everyone wanted to come to work and work as late and as long as it took.’

Carol's duties as Karel’s secretary involved typical administrative tasks, but the atmosphere was anything but ordinary. The small team of around a dozen individuals worked tirelessly to secure the operating license and lay the groundwork for the future of MTN.

A license to celebrate and innovate

The day MTN was awarded the license was a moment of pure elation. ‘The call came in after lunch, and well, we all raided the bar fridge in the office,’ Carol laughs. ‘I was drunk for the rest of the day. It was history, and we were all well aware of it.’

The company's early days were marked by a spirit of innovation and improvisation. Carol recalls how the unexpected volume of customer calls necessitated the creation of an in-house call centre. ‘My brother was one of the five guys hired for the call centre,’ she says. ‘He was terribly grateful for the opportunity, especially as he was the only one hired who didn't have a degree.’

Fostering a sense of community

As MTN grew, Carol transitioned to the role of office manager, where she was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the company's headquarters. One of her most notable contributions was the creation of ‘Spring Day’, an annual event designed to foster camaraderie and boost morale among employees.

‘It was a great team-building exercise and an annual highlight everyone really looked forward to every year,’ Carol says. ‘We'd start the day with things like Zulu dancers welcoming people at work. Then there were dance and best-dressed competitions, comedians, and celebrity entertainers. The day ended with a braai, music, and a cash bar. Old-timers still remember Spring Day.’

A legacy of connection

Carol's journey with MTN spanned nearly two decades, ending in 2010. Today, she lives in Buysdorp, a rural community in Limpopo named after her husband's family, where she runs a sports bar among other ventures. Her story is a reminder of the human element behind MTN's success, the dedication and passion of the individuals who worked tirelessly to build a company that has become a cornerstone of South African society.

Carol's reflections offer a unique glimpse into the early days of MTN, a time of excitement, challenges, and the unwavering belief in the power of connection. It is a story that resonates with the company's core values of innovation, community, and the relentless pursuit of a brighter future for all.