Taxicom Mobile, a purpose-built telecommunications entity that seeks to make a difference in the lives of ordinary South Africans was officially launched amid great fanfare at an exclusive press event held at The Venue in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg on Wednesday, 09 December 2020.
A major milestone all South Africans can be proud of, Taxicom Mobile is a wholly black owned mobile network operator founded by Joel Mafenya, a South African entrepreneur and investor in the gold mining sector, gas, and telecommunications to mention just a few.
Cognizant of the significant role of mobile technology in people’s lives as we transition into a Digital Economy, the entry of Taxicom Mobile into South Africa doesn’t only set a new chapter in the local telecom space when it comes to providing the desired level of immediacy, agility and personalised customer service. Effectively, it also heralds a new era of an industry that is slowly but surely transforming.
Activated live on stage in front of a strong contingent of South African business leaders and media outlets, Taxicom Mobile’s official rollout comes at a time when the lack of ‘radical’ economic transformation and inclusiveness in the telecommunications and financial sectors for black owned companies remain some of the top challenges for the country to overcome.
However, as Mafenya highlighted, its entry into the market should not be construed to mean simply being a black company is strong a compelling case for support, but serves as reminder that the South African telecoms market is “slowly but surely transforming and doing its bit to ensure that consumers are spoilt for choice.”
What is Taxicom Mobile?
Taxicom om Mobile is not about physical taxis – Uber, Taxify (Bolt), Minibus taxis, trains, buses, commercial airlines – it is about people and the market place that the company has positioned itself to offer its products and service offerings and how they are offered.
Taxicome Mobile is lifestyle virtual mobile network operator for the entire family – young and old that has embraced technology as a delivery platform for a variety of services.
Said Mafenya: “We are deliberately unconventional in a manner that we deliver our services and product offerings. Hence, every public space is a marketplace, and every household is a Taxicom Mobile shop.”
As part of the company’s rollout strategy, Taxicom Mobile will deliver seamless cutting-edge mobile technology solutions to subscribers, making connectivity and usage not only widely accessible and affordable for all, but a hassle-free customer experience.
Taxicom Mobile, albeit a new entrant will harvest same subscribers in the market dominated by the ‘big four’ mobile network operators. “As we speak already, we have more than 10 000 quality orders from potential subscribers for SIM cards and devices. And we are optimistic that by the end of the month our numbers would have ballooned. A good start and a vote of confidence for the new baby,” added Mafenya.
Taxicom Mobile, SA’s first multi-purpose-built telecommunications entity
The new era of technological advances has dawned, and companies are no longer confined to their specific sector of operation. As such, we are witnessing telecommunications companies cross cutting into each other sector of specialisation, notably telcos move into fintech – this in an effort to remain relevant.
This is a space that Taxicom Mobile is going to fit into, like a hand in glove.
Job Creation and Business Opportunities
Mobile aims to create6000 direct and indirect sustainable job opportunities and business opportunities across the country within the next five years.
Local business would be empowered to benefit immensely: spaza shops, taverns, stokvels, taxi associations among other channels will, through our extensive distributor/agent network partnerships, be able to sell airtime, data, devices (phones), accessories, and money transfers.
In addition, through the Taxicom Mobile App, individuals will be able to sell airtime and data to their colleagues at work, schools, universities, colleges and literally everywhere.
Our strong focus for job creation and business opportunities would be predominantly in the townships and rural communities.
For instance: Taxicom Mobile Call Centers would be decentralized located at communities not in big cities – to bring opportunities closer to where people live.
Community Empowerment Through the Arts
Weare also proud to announce the soon-coming launch of the Taxicom Talent Competition in the form of TaxiCom Call To Fame and Township and Rural Theatre Competition to help unearth talent in local communities.
We have taken a conscious decision to invest in these areas in support of arts and entertainment in general and disadvantaged communities.
As a company, we believe that a child in Alexandra, Kuruman, and Gugulethu should have an equal opportunity to showcase their talents – be at Market Theatre in Johannesburg or Broadway in New York or anywhere in the world for that matter as professionals.
These initiatives and many more – still to be implemented – underscore Taxicom Mobile commitment to support the growth of our young people and support industry’s veterans who would play an important role in mentoring them.
Broad-based Participation & Ownership
Taxicom Mobile aims to accelerate access to inclusive mobile telecommunications services to the underserviced and excluded.
This will be done through an introduction of a different model of meaningful ownership – with preference given to subscribers, distributors, and its agents.
Partnerships and Buy Local Campaign
TaxiCom is constantly seeking to forge strong partnerships in order to enhance both its commercial and community development objectives in the areas of enhancing customer experiences, broad-based- empowerment and inclusive access to telecommunications and financial services.
To this end, Taxicom Mobile through Mara phone manufacturing facility based in KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, the company is able to provide access to locally manufactured, affordable, quality and state of the art latest technology mobile smart phone devices to the majority of South Africans, who want to support local brands and job creation.
To help keep up with varied consumer tastes and the evolving preferences of our customers, an extensive range of some of the world’s best selling smartphone brands will also be on offer. Through our smartphone device financing partners and in-house financing facilities, we will offer competitive pricing for our subscribers.
Cece Smith 
Bongi Sikelo 