Three Eastern Cape entrepreneurs armed with grit, deep community roots and the backing of MTN South Africa have outperformed dealers from across the country to claim some of MTN’s most prestigious national honours.
From East London to Mthatha and KwaBhaca, these dealers rose above peers nationwide, reinforcing the Eastern Cape’s growing role in enterprise development, digital inclusion and economic progress.
Through MTN South Africa’s One More Time Incentive Programme, which measures dealer performance across MyMTN Home Internet, MTN Business Uncapped and MTN Fibre, two Eastern Cape dealers secured national recognition in the Starter Category, while a third claimed the Operator of the Year title after competing against dealers countrywide.
Behind these accolades are businesses scaled, jobs created and sustained, and more households and small enterprises gaining access to reliable digital services.
Eastern Cape dealers leading nationally
SMS Mobile, based in East London and led by Owner and Managing Director Sydwell Maqula, emerged as the top national performer. In the fourth quarter of 2025, the dealer achieved 217% of its Fixed Wireless Access, or FWA, target. Combined FWA and Fibre performance reached 183% for the quarter, with month-on-month results exceeding 200% in both October and November. As a consistent top performer across the second, third and fourth quarters of 2025 under the One More Time Incentive Programme, the dealer was awarded three VW Caddy vehicles, building on a previous national win earlier in the year.
Runner-up Ntlesco Trading and Projects, founded and led by Founder and Managing Director Nangamso Ntlemeza, operates MTN franchise stores in Mthatha and KwaBhaca and employs more than 30 people. During the fourth quarter of 2025, Ntlesco achieved 144% of its FWA target in October, increasing to 162% in November, earning an R80 000 prize cheque under the same incentive programme.
Completing the Eastern Cape’s national success, Afrikan Adage, led by business owner Shirley Koaho, was named MTN’s Operator of the Year for 2025 in the 1 to 5 Stores Category. Competing against 24 small dealers nationally, the business exceeded targets across six of eight key performance indicators, including customer service, operational discipline, sales execution and growth.
A story of opportunity and inclusion
MTN South Africa’s Branded Retail Transformation programme is, at its core, a story of opportunity, dignity and inclusion. It reflects the future MTN wants a young woman in Lusikisiki, or a young man in Butterworth, to see for themselves, proof that national success is possible regardless of where you start.
All three award-winning dealers form part of this programme, which positions local entrepreneurs as long-term partners and co-creators of growth rather than points of sale. By enabling sustainable enterprise development, job creation and expanded digital access, the model directly supports South Africa’s national development priorities.
Songezo Masiso, General Manager: Regional Operations, Eastern Cape, MTN South Africa, said the recognition reflects the power of partnership.
“These dealers show what is possible when local entrepreneurs are trusted, supported and given room to grow. They are not only top performers for MTN; they are contributors to their communities and proof that perseverance and partnership can turn local ambition into national success.”
As MTN continues to invest in the province, the achievements of these dealers demonstrate how purposeful private sector partnerships can unlock opportunity, strengthen local economies and drive meaningful progress across South Africa.