Net Nine Nine, a company dedicated to advancing technological access in township communities, is actively working to bridge the digital divide between schools in townships, rural areas, and well-established urban centers.
As part of its commitment to community development, the company installs fibre internet infrastructure in schools within its operational areas, providing free internet connectivity as a means of giving back to society.
According to Nicholas Thipe, Chief of Staff at Net Nine Nine, the company has successfully connected 56 schools across eight provinces. Looking ahead, their ambitious target is to extend this reach to 100 schools per province over the next three to five years.
“When we talk about humanity, this is what we mean ensuring equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their background. Our initiative is about closing the gap between privileged and underprivileged schools. In addition, we collaborate with local small businesses in the areas we serve, fostering economic growth,” Thipe stated.
The initiative also supports the government’s educational efforts by enabling schools to fully utilize their computer resources, which were previously rendered ineffective due to the absence of internet access.
Founded six years ago by Thipe and Albert Oosthuysen (CEO), Net Nine Nine initially focused on providing internet connectivity to township and rural homes. The company launched its operations in Kagiso, west of Johannesburg in Gauteng, before expanding its reach to other regions.
Over the past six years, Net Nine Nine has successfully connected approximately 230,000 households across eight provinces, with the Western Cape being the only province yet to benefit from their services.
“Our biggest challenge is the need for substantial funding to sustain our rapid growth. However, we remain committed to our long-term goal of connecting three million households over the next three to five years,” said Thipe.
Currently, the company is working on expanding its school connectivity program to Umlazi and Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natal. Beneficiaries include Makhumbuza High School, Swelihle, Khombindlela, and Umgijimi Primary School, along with several other institutions in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Looking forward, Net Nine Nine aims to go beyond infrastructure development by introducing skills development programs. Thipe emphasized that access to technology alone is insufficient without the necessary training to ensure its effective use.
