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Telecommunications · Mobile network operator

Vodacom South Africa

South African mobile operating company that launched commercial service on 1 June 1994.

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Vodacom South Africa is the operating company for the group’s South African mobile business. It is not the JSE-listed security. [2][3]

History

Alan Knott-Craig became managing director in May 1993. Commercial service began on 1 June 1994. [1][2]

Shameel Joosub became managing director in 2005 before later becoming group chief executive. [2][4]

Frequently asked questions

Is Vodacom South Africa listed?

No. Vodacom Group Limited is the listed parent. [3]

When did it launch?

Commercial operations began on 1 June 1994. [1]

Who built the first operation?

Alan Knott-Craig led the founding management team. [2]

Key milestones

  1. Alan Knott-Craig became managing director. [2]

  2. Commercial mobile service launched. [1]

  3. Shameel Joosub became managing director. [2]

Founded / co-founded by

  • Alan Knott-Craig — South African telecommunications executive who led Vodacom’s founding management team and its expansion before the 2009 listing.

Company builders

  • Shameel Joosub — South African telecommunications executive and Vodacom Group chief executive since 2012.

Related articles

Related institutions

  • Vodacom Group — JSE-listed African telecommunications group formed in 1993 and commercially launched in South Africa in 1994.
  • Vodafone Group — International telecommunications company and controlling shareholder of Vodacom Group.
  • Telkom — South African telecommunications company that held half of Vodacom before the 2009 listing transactions.

Sources

  1. Vodacom Group, Annual report 2006, 2006-03-31. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-26. ↩
  2. Vodacom Group, Annual report 2008, 2008-03-31. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-26. ↩
  3. Vodacom Group, Vodacom Group revised listing date, 2009-04-17. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-26. ↩
  4. Vodacom Group, Board of directors. Original source. Accessed 2026-10-26. ↩