Green Light for Vodacom/MAZIV Merger Transaction Signals New Chapter for SA Connectivity
MAZIV has welcomed the Competition Appeal Court’s approval of the Vodacom/MAZIV merger transaction, marking a critical milestone in South Africa’s telecoms landscape. This development paves the way for major capital investment and accelerated fibre rollout across the country.
The approval follows extensive negotiations between the merging parties and the Competition Commission, resulting in revised conditions intended to strike a balance between encouraging investment and safeguarding fair competition. As part of the merger conditions MAZIV has committed to spending at least R12 billion over the next five years earmarked for broadband infrastructure expansion and maintenance, particularly in underserved areas.
This includes fibre expansion into underserved low-income areas, clinics, libraries, and schools, building on MAZIV’s existing school connectivity program that currently connects over 950 schools with free 1Gbps uncapped fibre. This expansion will bring reliable, high-speed connectivity to spaces essential for learning, safety, and community development. These commitments are coupled with open access requirements, affordable broadband options for low-income households, and transformation measures that support SMME growth, employee benefit, and community upliftment.
Dietlof Mare, MAZIV Group CEO, said: “This approval marks a pivotal milestone in South Africa’s telecoms evolution. It frees us to harness substantial capital and accelerate fibre rollout while embedding the customer-centric conditions we have championed from the start.”
Importantly, the merger remains subject to final regulatory sign-off from the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA), and MAZIV is actively engaging with ICASA to ensure a swift final approval.
“We are confident of a positive outcome,” said Mare. “Our regulatory engagement has been transparent and constructive, and we will engage constructively to secure the final approval and begin delivery on the promises to South Africans.”
Connecting people, changing lives
With the merger transaction now approved, MAZIV is prioritising accessibility and affordability as a cornerstone of its rollout strategy. Equally important is MAZIV’s pledge to maintain open access and non-discrimination across its network. Conditions attached to the merger transaction ensure smaller internet service providers (ISPs) retain access to fibre infrastructure, ensuring that consumers continue to have choice and that competition remains healthy and fair.
Commitments to enterprise development, employee empowerment and SMME growth are central to the agreement, reflecting the importance of growing the sector, but also making it a more equitable one. These initiatives are expected to generate new jobs opportunities, unlock entrepreneurial opportunities, and build long-term economic resilience and inclusivity in local communities.
“This merger is not just about growth, it’s about building an equitable digital future for all South Africans, whether it’s the maths teacher in Mitchell’s Plain tutoring children online, or the gogo in Alexandra helping her grandchildren with homework,” said Mare.
“With this approval, regulatory work in progress and capital that will become available, we are ready to scale our fibre network, extend affordable uncapped fibre access and create lasting economic value. Our focus now is to ensure South African communities and businesses reap the benefits of world-class connectivity.
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