Smell of opportunity: perfume entrepreneur Bathabile Moreki enters telecoms with MVNO launch - TimesLIVE
Entrepreneur Bathabile Moreki is expanding beyond fragrances into telecommunications, launching a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) aimed at making connectivity more affordable while creating income opportunities for independent business owners.
TPC Africa Mobile, which launched in Midrand on Saturday, will use MTN’s network to offer branded mobile services, combining airtime, data and digital financial services through its app.
Moreki, founder of The Perfume Co. Africa, said the idea was inspired by the needs of her existing distribution network, which relies heavily on mobile connectivity to market products, communicate with customers and manage orders.
“We realised that we use a lot of data and airtime, but it would be nice for us to also sell those products that we are already using,” she said.
The move builds on a business that Moreki says has grown a network of more than 300,000 independent business owners across Southern Africa. She plans to use that footprint to distribute the mobile service, particularly in townships and rural areas where affordability and access remain key concerns.
TPC Africa Mobile will offer airtime, data, voice and SMS bundles, alongside services such as bill and electricity payments and wallet functions. Customers will also be able to make cash payments through resellers for services including DStv subscriptions and money transfers.
Moreki said the aim was to bring services closer to communities that often travel to shopping centres to access them.
“We just want to bring convenience at a broader scale instead of just people having to walk to the nearest shopping centre,” she said.
The company plans to recruit resellers from its wider network as well as unemployed people seeking income opportunities. Resellers will earn commissions and receive training in sales, marketing and compliance through online sessions.
Moreki said the group invested about R1.2m in the venture with part of the investment used to brand SIM cards with the company’s identity.
So many things are going up. We just want to also offer something that is affordable
TPC Africa selected MTN after market research indicated customers viewed its network as stronger in rural areas. The partnership also gave the company an opportunity to negotiate packages suited to its target market.
Moreki said rising living costs and increasing demand for internet access among entrepreneurs, students and households had created demand for more affordable connectivity options.
“People are now price-conscious. So many things are going up,” she said. “We just want to also offer something that is affordable.”
TPC Africa Mobile joins over 20 MVNOs using the infrastructure of network operators like MTN and Cell C to offer customers data and voice services.
MTN currently hosts about 20 MVNOs, including Standard Bank Connect, FNB Connect and Capitec Connect, making it one of the country’s largest enablers of the segment.
