How fibre internet is radically rewiring township businesses - IOL
The shift to digital operations has also changed how small businesses handle transactions, with electronic payment options, reducing the need for cash and the ordering process becoming more convenient and secure.
HOME and small-business fibre is helping South African township residents move from survivalist trading to more stable, digitally enabled micro-enterprises, according to recent reporting and international evidence.
In connected townships, households are shifting spending from basic communication on mobile data to more productive uses without increasing their overall connectivity costs.
Reliable, high-speed connections allow spaza shops, salons, repair workshops and home-based traders to use banking apps, point-of-sale systems and inventory tools with fewer dropouts than on mobile networks.
Beyond basic connectivity, fibre expands market access. Township entrepreneurs can list products on online marketplaces, accept digital payments and market beyond their immediate neighbourhoods, mirroring findings from rural areas abroad where high fibre adoption is linked to faster business growth and more self-employment.
The technology also supports remote work, freelancing, tutoring and tech-enabled services that require stable upload and download speeds.
For Nomsa Dlamini, a home-based baker in Soshanguve, the transition from cash-only transactions and word-of-mouth referrals to a fully digital operation has changed how she runs her business.
Just a few years ago, Dlamini relied on neighbours and friends to attract customers. She took orders over the phone and accepted cash payments, a system that made it difficult to attract new buyers or manage her growing order book.
Today, Dlamini operates her business online using fibre connectivity at her home, provided by Vodacom Fibre and powered by Vuma Reach.
This internet access allows her to showcase her birthday cakes, cupcakes, and specialty baked goods on social media through photos and videos. By engaging with customers online, she has built a client base that extends far beyond her immediate neighbourhood.
“Social media has completely changed my business,” Nomsa said.
“People can now see my work instantly, share it with their friends and place orders directly through messaging apps. I receive enquiries almost every day.”
The shift to digital operations has also changed how Dlamini handles transactions. She now offers electronic payment options, including VodaPay, which reduces the need for cash and makes the ordering process more convenient and secure. Real-time communication allows her to confirm orders, discuss custom cake designs, and coordinate deliveries efficiently.
Using these online tools, Dlamini can now reach customers across Soshanguve and neighbouring townships in the greater Pretoria area, creating new revenue opportunities and contributing to local economic activity.
Dlamini’s experience mirrors a wider trend across South Africa, where small businesses are adopting digital tools like mobile payments, social media marketing, and online ordering to grow their income and build sustainable futures.
Through such services, more households in townships are gaining access to fast, reliable internet.
Beyond small business operations, this broadband access supports education, entertainment, and general communication within these communities.
For local entrepreneurs, the shift to online customer engagement and digital payments is allowing them to reach new markets and expand their livelihoods.
