The TOPP programme was launched in 2007 and offers a three year rotational system of training that enables trainees to experience a good overview of the entire organization. The programme offers individuals the opportunity to fast-track their careers as CAs as they are able to train within the commercial environment in which they wish to specialize.

Hema Pranjivan has become the first candidates to complete all her academic requirements to be a fully qualified CA (SA) after passing Board 1 and 2.

Says Pranjivan: “The programme has provided me with the opportunity to follow my dream of qualifying in one of SA’s most prestigious fields. I have been engulfed in the can-do mentality of MTN and that has really motivated me to attain the required academic results in my board exams. It hasn’t just provided me with the necessary practical experience, but also with mentorship and individual development. I feel privileged to have been chosen to be part of the programme – the metamorphosis from an eager and ambitious trainee accountant, to a professional, competent and well-grounded Chartered Accountant, has been my most fulfilling experience.”

Zunaid Bulbulia, Chief Financial Officer at MTN SA, adds: “The ‘war for talent’ is increasingly fierce and global. In order to remain an employer of choice, MTN South Africa needs to provide those individuals with scarce qualifications with an opportunity to grow – this is exactly what MTN’s CA (SA) programme provides B.Comm Accounting and B.Compt graduates.

“By completing your accounting qualification with MTN, candidates will not only receive valuable experience to all aspects of the MTN business, which results in a well balanced and practical view of commerce, but also exposure to various career paths and growth opportunities,” says Bulbulia. y

As a multinational company, MTN’s CA (SA) programme exposes candidates to operations in different countries, tax regimes, currencies, and legal environments.

“The programme currently has six candidates and MTN continues to attract new talent every year. The hope is that one day the programme will provide MTN with executives that have an excellent holistic understanding of the business (financial, operationally and culturally) and that that will be able to lead the company forward to greater heights – perhaps even as CFO or CEO,” concludes Zunaid.

The programme is open to internal (MTN employees) and external candidates (potential employees).

Candidates who are on MTN’s TOPP enjoy the following benefits during their training:
o    Market-related salaries
o    Generous study leave
o    Payment of board two course fees and QE2 exams
o    Skills training
o    Phone allowance
o    Canteen allowance
o    Educational assistance for qualifying exams and APT
o    Reduced traffic – MTN offices are located outside the busy businesss centres
o    Career growth, possibility in an international company, while training/rotating locally at MTN Group financial head office

Entry:
o    You must have completed a BCom Acc (Hons)/CTA degree, or are in the final year of your BCom Acc (Hons) /CTA.
o    You must submit your application prior to the closing date: 31 August.
o    In the event that you are successful in the recruitment and selection process, and have passed your BCom Acc (Hons)/CTA examination, you will be made offers to commence training at the beginning of the following year.

Application process

Submit your well-prepared curriculum vitae, together with available academic results and your matric certificate to:
The TOPP Programme Manager: Fiona Wilson
Postal address: Private Bag 9955, CRESTA, 2118
Business address: 14th Avenue, Fairland, Roodepoort 2195
Telephone: 011 912 3183
Cell Phone: 083 212 9916
Fax: 011 912 5214
Email: Wilson_f@mtn.co.za

21 Days of Y’ello Care is an annual event that runs from 1 – 21 June that sees MTN employees taking leave of their duties and investing their time and skills in helping those who are less fortunate.

‘Making a Positive Difference to the Environment’ is the campaign’s theme this year, in keeping with the United Nation’s declaration of 2011 as the International Year of Forests.
Says Robert Madzonga, MTN SA Chief Corporate Services Officer: “MTN is passionate about limiting its carbon footprint and where possible, encourages communities to do the same.  We just don’t pay lip service to sustainability, but our commitment to preserving the environment is prevalent in everything we do, from using wind and solar power to run base stations to investing in a methane powered plant to provide power to our head office.”

This year, MTN SA has partnered with Joburg City Parks to develop a much needed multipurpose park in an informal settlement in Ivory Park near Midrand. The park will provide much needed recreational facilities for both children and adults in this community. Children will further have a safe place to play to enhance their holistic development.

Both MTN and City Parks employees will be rolling their sleeves and getting their hands dirty as they undertake the mammoth task of developing a park that will benefit the community of Ivory Park.

MTN employees and executives will be planting trees, weeding, preparing the soil and laying the grass.
•    In Roodeport, MTN employees will be upgrading of facilities, and providing equipment for children and the Centre at Pathways in Roodepoort.

•    In the Western Cape, MTN employees will plant 150 indigenous and fruit trees in schools.

•    In Tableview, MTN Employees -will be taking care of and preserving sea birds on the coastal region by scrubbing pens and keeping centre clean and hygienic and assist in ICU

•    In East London in the Eastern Cape, MTN Employees -will assist with planting of new trees, help clean and upgrade existing areas where tress are planted

•    In Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Metro), MTN staff will recycle all paper that has been collected in designated bins for recycling purposes, installing sensors in the office building to save electricity and reduce carbon footprint

•    In Limpopo, MTN employees will embark on a campaign of raising awareness about malaria, fumigating with insecticide and distribute mosquito nets. At primary school level, MTN Employees will assist with traffic awareness, paint pedestrian crossings and distribute stop signs and bibs for the scholars.

•    In Kwa-Zulu Natal, MTN volunteers will plant 1 000 trees, clean up litter and other waste.

•    In Kwa-Zulu, MTN Employees will pick up litter and other waste in rivers.

21 Days of Y’ello Care was instituted by the MTN Group President and CEO in 2007 to give all MTN employees an opportunity to contribute towards improving the welfare of their communities.

It has now become a prominent feature in MTN’s calendar, and is also one of MTN’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes driven by MTN Foundations in the mobile operator’s markets.

“With South Africa hosting the COP17 Climate Change global conference in Durban later this year, MTN’s tree-planting initiative as a theme could not have been more appropriate and relevant. It is through interventions like 21 Days of Y’ello Care that MTN is the most admired brand and leading corporate organization in the vast majority our markets,” says Madzonga.

MTN Traveller, which launched last year as a ground-breaking travel.mobi bookings portal offering access to a variety of accommodation, airfare and car hire options, made the announcement at the 2011 Tourism Indaba expo in Durban.

Says Serame Taukobong, chief marketing officer of MTN SA: “As a result of the partnership with Hotels.com, MTN Traveller will be in a position to offer its local users access to 132 000 accommodation choices in 213 countries around the world, directly from a cell phone interface. This functionality is enhanced by selected airline, car rental and lifestyle offerings, which complete a dynamic mobile product offering for both domestic and international travel options.

“While MTN Traveller provides a simple and effective mobile solution for South Africans to access the world, it is also focusing on bringing the world to South Africa by actively promoting the local tourism market with South African Tourism to the global arena. Its innovative travel application development, and now this exciting partnership with Hotels.com is certainly taking cellular travel to a new level,” comments Taukobong.

As the leading telecommunications company in developing markets across Africa and the Middle East, MTN is committed to developing and providing innovative mobile solutions to the global travel marketplace, together with MTN Traveller and Hotels.com.

Fraser Gregg, managing director of MobiRes, explains: “Mobilisation has evolved from simply providing the market with the ability to communicate with others on the go; it now provides the market with the tools and means to do business and access mobile business systems on the go.
“MTN Traveller is not network or handset specific, and does not incur any type of booking fee. Thus, consumers who are registered with the service, have the tools conveniently, efficiently and securely loaded on their cell phone and are able to simply scroll through the MTN Traveller menu to search for, reserve, pay for and confirm travel and other lifestyle bookings anywhere across the world, at the touch of a keypad in the palm of their hand,” states Gregg.

MTN Traveller is committed to taking mobile travel services to the next level with its interactive interface, innovative applications and global partnerships.

“Although this is a new addition to MTN’s sponsorship portfolio, it is not our first foray into golf. MTN decided to sponsor the SuperSport Shootout for a number of reasons, not least because we share a vision to uplift the communities in which we operate through targeted and sustainable interventions,” says Serame Taukobong, chief marketing officer at MTN South Africa.

MTN acknowledges that the SuperSport Shootout has contributed significantly to supporting worthy charities such as the Gozololo Centre for Needy Children and the Jacob Zuma Trust, an integral part of the golf tournament since inception. Furthermore, MTN will expand on community upliftment and will handover funds to the Jacob Zuma Trust.
“This is a golf tournament unlike any other in South Africa and presents MTN business customers with the opportunity to experience the MTN brand while playing their sport of choice,” adds Taukobong.

The concept for the MTN SuperSport Shootout is based on establishing South Africa’s top amateur celebrity golfer in an environment that replicates a US PGA Tour event. After a seven year period, the event has proven to be very popular, establishing itself as the premier celebrity golf event in the country.

The event comprises an invitational field of government officials, captains of industry, and legendary sportsmen competing alongside one another. Importantly, the makeup of the field reflects the various cultures of South Africa.

“Business executives form a significant portion of our connection, and we appreciate the work they do for our communities and in the businesses they run. What better way of strengthening those partnerships,” Taukobong says.

“We are excited to be partnering with MTN as the new title sponsor of this premier golfing event on the South African sports calendar,” says Kevin Curren, owner and tournament director.

“As leaders and outstanding role models in the business community, MTN is the ideal partner for this prestigious event. Our shared vision is based upon delivering an extraordinary golf and lifestyle experience, while at the same time raising significant funds for educational grants allocated to those far less privileged in life. As we continue to build on the successful Shootout formula, we also look forward to developing a long and rewarding partnership with MTN,” he adds.

Says Chester Williams, former Springbok star and member of the 1995 Rugby World Cup champions: “The MTN SuperSport Shootout is the most amazing event. Where in one’s lifetime can you meet a host of South Africa’s greatest sports stars, top business personalities, and government officials all together at one venue? This is a world class event in every respect, and I am really thrilled to be a part of the 2011 challenge.”

The MTN SuperSport Shootout will be hosted at the Simola Golf and Country Estate in Knysna, on a spectacular course designed by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus.

With access to basic and affordable health services still a challenge for many South Africans, MTN SA today announced the launch of MTN CareConnect in South Africa. Together with its alliance partner, Sanlam, it will roll-out its first healthcare offering – a nurses’ advisory line that will assist the public with everyday health queries – in the East Rand during May.

Designed to offer a professional nurse-assisted service for any day-to-day health-related enquiries from the general public, MTN CareConnect aims to make basic healthcare guidance about ailments such as stomach aches, fevers, potential poisoning and general parenting tips related to children’s health, among others, available to all South Africans.

“MTN CareConnect will empower South Africans by giving them access to health information when dealing with healthcare issues,” says Serame Taukobong, chief marketing officer of MTN SA. “With its independently operated call centre, callers can easily tap into the knowledge of qualified health professionals facilitated by Sanlam, as well as its extensive medical database.”

While public health services dominate 82% of health services in South Africa, only 18% are catered for by private health services.  “The reality is that healthcare services are costly. Yet, even when just simple health-related education is required, many South Africans don’t feel they are in a position to call on these services as consultation fees remain high.

“By making our extensive health care knowledge and expertise available through the broad MTN channels, we are confident that the public will be better informed about vital health education and information – at a fraction of the price,” explains Grant Newton, CEO of Sanlam Health.

Immediate assistance on health symptoms; general health information; drug and medicine databases; poison information and stress management services will be readily accessible via the nurses’ advisory line. And, to ensure accessibility for all, nursing professionals will be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 083 903 4690, in all eleven official languages and at a charge of R5.00 per minute.

“Then, based on the health situation described by the caller, the nurses will either provide relevant health education and information, suggest the patient visits a medical facility, or route the call to the emergency services and assist with facilitating the dispatch of an ambulance, should that be necessary,” explains Newton.

And, while MTN CareConnect will provide access to qualified healthcare counsel, it will also foster a more informed, educated and healthier consumer who knows how to deal with basic ailments without having to leave the home.

“We will by no means be attempting to replace any health services; we will merely provide alternatives to consumers unsure of the severity of their health query and hopefully alleviate the stress of smaller complaints on an already overloaded healthcare system,” states Taukobong.

Currently in its pilot phase, MTN CareConnect will be rolled out in a staged approach, starting with Daveyton and Etwatwa in the East Rand. A national roll out is planned towards the end of the year.  The first of its services will include the nurses’ advisory line. Thereafter, a maternity programme, high blood pressure programme, and an electronic screening tool will be added to its services.  Looking to the future, MTN is exploring further mobile health services that include high demand ailments such as HIV, TB, diabetes and malaria.

Three “contestants”, each using a different mobile service provider, called into the show while driving from Midrand towards Pretoria – the idea was to see which call would last the longest.

The first call dropped after 26 minutes, probably causing the service provider to turn red. The second call dropped shortly afterwards on 31 minutes – something which even a comedian would admit is no joke.

MTN’s contestant eventually hung up after 71 minutes – more than double the time achieved by its next nearest competitor’s contestant.

“MTN has improved its network coverage by investing almost R15bn into infrastructure and working tirelessly to ensure that MTN is  really everywhere you go. We think we now have the best mobile network in South Africa. We are committed to continually improving our network and surging further ahead of competitors,” says Lambo Kanagaratnam, Chief Technology Officer of MTN South Africa.

Says Serame Taukobong, MTN’s Chief Marketing Officer: “We understand our customers’ needs to get in touch with their loved ones over this holiday period, hence we are very proud to bring this exciting and innovative product promotion to them.”

Outside this hour, MTN Zone customers will still enjoy up to 100% discounts on call and SMS’s depending on location and time of day.
“This promotion will ensure that we continue to provide our customers with products that suit both their lifestyles and pockets,” concludes Taukobong.

The Lunchtime Promotion is only available for voice calls made and SMS’s sent from the MTN Zone and Muziq subscriber’s number to any MTN number, any other mobile number and land line within South Africa. This promotion is open to all MTN Zone subscribers (PayAsYouGo and Top Up) and MTN Muziq subscribers that are active on the MTN network, but excludes MTN Postpaid subscribers, MTN Top Up subscribers that are not on MTN Zone, MTN One Rate,
Least Cost Routers, Call Per Second subscribers and Community Service Telephones.

MTN Zone and Muziq subscribers will not be eligible for the Lunchtime Promotion when they migrate out of MTN Zone and/or MTN Muziq.

The findings of the research is part of a study entitled “Keeping Good Company” released earlier this week. The research was conducted by First Principles, an independent research house that interviewed 1 000 South Africans from different backgrounds.

“Receiving results from an independent survey such as this one is very rewarding in that it recognises MTN’s hard work in investing time, money and energy into becoming a business that contributes to the communities in which we operate,” says Serame Taukobong, MTN South Africa Chief Marketing Officer.

“Becoming a sustainable business is an important goal that MTN has set for itself. This study shows us that we are making progress and provides us with recognition for our hard work, but we know that we still have some way to go. As a caring corporate citizen, MTN’s employees and management are committed to continually improving our performance from both a social and operational perspective,” adds Taukobong.

He attributes the recognition regarding MTN’s social responsibility to the work of the MTN SA Foundation as well as other projects such as the company’s “Greening 14th Avenue” initiative.

The R600m worth of MTN SA Foundation focuses on four key pillars – Education, Health, Arts and Culture, and Entrepreneurial Development.

During 2009/2010, ninety schools across six provinces were identified and provided with fully-fledged media centres. The equipment included computer workstations, computers, printers, data projectors, interactive white boards, DStv satellite dishes and data cards.

The company’s R200m ‘Greening 14th Avenue’ drive (its head-office campus is on 14th Avenue in Fairland, Johannesburg) ensures that all its business practices are aligned to a sustainable and cost-effective model that reduces its carbon footprint.

The 14th Avenue campus has become the focus of a number of MTN’s key strategic objectives to achieve environmental sustainability, contribute to greening its buildings and protect and enhance the environment.

These include:
•    reducing energy and water consumption
•    development of green operations policies for solid waste management, sustainable procurement and green cleaning
•    the development of actionable programmes and plans to implement these policies
•    registration of the company to become a LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) facility with the US Green Building
Council – MTN is the first company in South Africa to seek such certification for an existing operation
•    the 2MW methane-driven tri-generation plant at its head office that enables MTN to manage potential energy shortages and reduce power consumption, while increasing savings and initiating a sustainability model to reduce its carbon footprint.

In other areas of the business, MTN is looking at alternative ways to reduce the carbon intensity of its operations by migrating to cleaner sources of energy.

MTN South Africa has announced a three-year sponsorship deal with Joyous Celebration, the contemporary gospel sound that has entertained fans across the country and developed gospel music in Africa for the past 15 years.

Says Serame Taukobong, chief marketing officer of MTN SA: “Music has always played an integral role in our sponsorship properties, and it is our objective to support and promote as wide a variety of local music genres as possible. With our roots firmly in this country and as the longest standing mobile operator in South Africa, it is important to us to promote and celebrate all things South African – Joyous Celebration is one such unique example.

“We enjoyed a wonderful partnership with the Joyous Celebration brand from 2004 to 2007, and we are delighted that this successful relationship has been reunited. Our three-year sponsorship agreement as headline sponsor for the 2011–2013 seasons, will enable us to grow the MTN brand among a new fan base, while promoting the Joyous Celebration sound to our customers.”

MTN sponsors a variety of local music platforms and genres, including the SAMAs, Afrikaans, kwaito, jazz and now gospel – and is as involved with the development of talent as it is in making the music accessible to its thousands of customers via the MTN Play platform.

“There are a few things better than music when it comes to bringing people together. Every smile and every tear is expressed in a song, and it is for these reasons that we ensure that the latest music is made available for download through MTN Play. But, music always sounds better live, which is why MTN takes great pleasure in supporting various music festivals during the year.  Our partnership with Joyous Celebration is an extension of this and we are looking forward to celebrating with the gospel choir and their thousands of fans during their tours over the next three years,” states Taukobong.

Founding member of Joyous Celebration, Jabu Hlongwane is delighted to have MTN back on board as the group’s headline sponsor. “We enjoyed the support of MTN for three years from 2004 – 2007, and it is wonderful to have the company back with us as an integral part of the Joyous Celebration family.

“We will engage MTN’s expertise in connecting with communities and make use of the company’s innovative technology and interactive platforms to spread our joyous message far and wide. We are excited about the possibilities that this partnership holds for us as we celebrate 15 years of Joyous Celebration this year.

“MTN is a proud supporter of local music and the development of local talent. Since our first concert, the inspiration behind the Joyous Celebration concept was to discover and develop new talent – the fact that we are celebrating our 15th anniversary this year, is a tribute to the abundant talent in South Africa and our ability to harness and promote it. We look forward to doing even bigger and better things with MTN at our side,” comments Hlongwane.

The MTN Joyous Celebration tour for 2011, entitled “My Gift to You”, takes to the stage of The South African State Theatre in Pretoria for six concerts from 21 to 24 April. Thereafter, the gospel music ensemble tours the country with shows in East London on 03 June, Port Elizabeth on 04 June, Cape Town (02 July), Durban on 30 July and the final public show for this year is in Bloemfontein in August.

“This sets up an intriguing and nail-biting evening on 9 April where any one of a number of excellent stations, presenters or producers will walk away with a coveted award” says Judging Committee joint-chairman Lance Rothschild. “Competition is particularly tight in both the best breakfast show categories – commercial and non-commercial – where there are six and five finalists respectively.”

Judges were also delighted at the high number of entries in the best community project category, where there are seven finalists. Notes Rothschild: “The hallmark of a great station, no matter what its licence designation, is its daily interaction with the community that it serves. All the stations that entered this category understand this, and their listener outreach has been admirable and meaningful.”

There is also plenty of competition this year in the best music show category, with five worthy finalists.  Rothschild says the show that has won this category demonstrated a perfect understanding of what its audience wants as well as a deep appreciation of South African music.

All the winners will be announced at a massive industry event at the Sandton Convention Centre.  It’ll be a gathering of the who’s who in the industry – both past and present – at which new inductees into the MTN Radio Hall of Fame will also be announced.  The prestigious radio station of the year will receive a stunning, radio-themed trophy conceptualised and made by world-famous South African designer Brian Steinhobel. The event is being hosted by a radio legend along with one of the brightest young stars in the business. “If you want to know who they are, as well as all the winners, you have to be there on the night,” says Rothschild.

“MTN is a big believer of radio as a medium of communication in South Africa” says Serame Taukobong,  Chief Marketing Officer at MTN South Africa. “We applaud our local talent and the magnanimous work they’re doing in the communities in which they operate. Radio has the capacity to touch the lives of millions, and MTN is pleased to be honouring the stations that have done so in the past year.”

Ticket bookings close on Thursday the 31st of March and all booking queries can be directed to Esther Sibanda at esthers@thefuture.co.za or 011 803 2040.