‘In my mind, no lily-white company was going to succeed in the new South Africa,’ Cyril Ramaphosa, a key figure in the anti-apartheid movement and South Africa's future president, reflected in 2004. This sentiment, echoing the scepticism of many within the liberation movement towards privately-owned cellular networks, set the stage for a pivotal moment in MTN's history.

A vision for a connected future

While some saw cellphones as a luxury for the elite, Ramaphosa and others recognised their potential to empower communities at all levels. ‘Cellular technology could provide a means to affordable communication for communities at all levels,’ Ramaphosa believed. This belief, coupled with the tireless advocacy of Dr Nthato Motlana, a prominent figure in the black economic empowerment movement and chairman of MTN, helped secure the future of cellular technology in South Africa.

Motlana spent nine months lobbying the ANC, emphasising the importance of competition in the industry and the transformative power of mobile phones for the new South Africa. ‘Many of the younger leaders began to see that mobile phones could play a role in the new South Africa,’ he recalled, ‘but the older leaders were not at all convinced.’ Through persistent dialogue and unwavering belief in the potential of cellular technology, Motlana and his allies eventually swayed even the most sceptical voices within the liberation movement.

MTN: A pioneer of transformation

From its inception, MTN's shareholding structure reflected a commitment to diversity and inclusion. When M-Cell was formally incorporated in November 1994, it boasted 30% black shareholders, including 20% held by Nail, the first black-owned group listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, and 5% each held by the SA Clothing and Textile Workers' Union and the black business federation Fabcos.

This commitment to empowerment continued to grow over the years. In its 2023 Sustainability Report, MTN proudly announced that ‘MTN South Africa has retained a Level 1 B-BBEE contributor status for four consecutive years, while MTN Group attained the same level for three successive years and achieved recognised black ownership of 86%.’ This achievement is a testament to MTN's ongoing dedication to fostering a more equitable and inclusive society.

The ‘power of connection’: MTN's legacy

In 2004, reflecting on MTN's first decade, Ramaphosa, then chairman of the company, spoke of its impact on South Africa: ‘From providing basic telecommunications infrastructure to clean drinking water, MTN invests not only in networks but communities and societies. Through our technology, we bring communities, societies, and continents together.’

MTN's story is one of transformation, both for the company and the nation it serves. The yellow of MTN's logo has become synonymous with progress, hope, and the power of connection. It represents a company that not only recognised the potential of cellular technology but also actively worked to make it accessible to all South Africans, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.

MTN's journey from a fledgling company in a newly democratic nation to a pan-African telecommunications giant is testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and a commitment to empowerment. It is a story that continues to inspire, demonstrating the transformative potential of technology when harnessed for the greater good.