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Telecommunications · Fixed and mobile telecommunications

Telkom

South African telecommunications company that held half of Vodacom before the 2009 listing transactions.

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Telkom was a founding shareholder of Vodacom and supplied executives and corporate support during the mobile venture’s early years. [1][4]

History

Telkom held 50% of Vodacom Group at 31 March 2008. Vodafone held the other half. [1]

Telkom sold 15% to Vodafone and distributed its remaining 35% to shareholders through the 2009 listing transactions. [2]

Frequently asked questions

Did Telkom own Vodacom?

Telkom held 50% before the 2009 transactions. [1]

Does Telkom still own Vodacom?

No. It exited through a sale and distribution in 2009. [2]

Are Telkom and Vodacom the same company?

No. They are separate listed groups. [2][3]

Key milestones

  1. Alan Knott-Craig investigated digital mobile technology while at Telkom. [4]

  2. Telkom held 50% of Vodacom Group. [1]

  3. Telkom exited Vodacom through the linked sale and distribution. [2]

Related articles

Related institutions

  • Vodacom Group — JSE-listed African telecommunications group formed in 1993 and commercially launched in South Africa in 1994.
  • Vodacom South Africa — South African mobile operating company that launched commercial service on 1 June 1994.
  • Vodafone Group — International telecommunications company and controlling shareholder of Vodacom Group.

Sources

  1. Vodacom Group, Annual report 2008, 2008-03-31. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-26. ↩
  2. Vodacom Group, Vodacom to list on the JSE, 2009-03-03. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-26. ↩
  3. Vodacom Group, Vodacom Group revised listing date, 2009-04-17. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-26. ↩
  4. Nelson Mandela University, Alan Knott-Craig honorary doctorate biography, 2009-01-01. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-26. ↩