On the symbolic grounds of the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum, South Africa’s first youth-focused Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) was officially launched on Monday. Branded as YOMO, the platform positions itself not merely as a mobile service, but as a movement to end digital exclusion and open economic pathways for young people.
“Connectivity without purpose is wasted bandwidth. With YOMO, connectivity is the beginning of opportunity,” said Jose Andre, CEO of Technov8, the company behind the initiative.
Built around youth empowerment, YOMO offers affordable data combined with zero-rated access to educational courses, gig work opportunities, mentorship, and creative economy initiatives. This integrated ecosystem, known as the “YOMO-verse,” seeks to address the challenges facing South Africa’s youth, where unemployment sits above 43% and more than eight million are not in education, employment, or training.
One of its standout features is Skills Orbit, a portal for accredited and non-accredited courses. Another is Tasky, a gig platform that connects young people with freelance and short-term income opportunities. Combined with mentorship and social impact programmes, YOMO promises to shift data access from consumption to empowerment.
The launch also marked the beginning of a national roadshow that will take YOMO directly to communities across the country. The platform is designed to complement ongoing government, corporate and NGO efforts to mainstream youth development and create inclusive opportunities.
Ndumiso Kubheka, CEO of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), delivered the keynote address, emphasising the symbolic importance of launching at a site linked to the 1976 youth uprisings. “By launching here, where the voices of youth demanded freedom in 1976, we are symbolically and practically enabling a new generation to demand their right to opportunity,” he said.
Messages of support were shared by Ike Makae of Youth Life, who welcomed YOMO’s holistic model. “Connectivity must include wellbeing. YOMO’s approach signals a shift from passive consumption to active empowerment,” he noted.
Young attendees at the event echoed the sense of urgency. One remarked: “Before YOMO, I had to choose between data for an online course or money for transport to an interview. You’ve given us back that choice.”
The launch was amplified online with the rallying call #BeOnWithYOMO, positioning the service as “a youth-powered mobile platform for Data, Dreams & Doing More.” Participants were encouraged to become ambassadors by creating and sharing content to spread the movement nationwide.
Andre described YOMO as more than a business venture. “We’re not just launching a network, we’re launching a movement for youth empowerment. YOMO connects you not just to data, but to education, income, and a future,” he said.
