A company Incubated by Softstart BTI, Midrand

Thando Nkutha has a wealth of ICT experience. In previous work, he moved from technical fields to project management, telecommunications solutions, marketing and sales, and account management – all within large or international companies.

“My focus was on telephone management solutions but I was frustrated because the companies specialised in specific solutions. I wanted to provide a total solution for clients and, consequently, saw a gap,” explains Nkutha.

Companies would offer a PABX solution or an IP solution, or perhaps resource management products, but not the whole deal. “I wanted to create an environment where customised solutions are based on the client`s requirements and are not product driven,” says Nkutha. And so Maweza Technologies was born.

Key service areas are IP and legacy voice equipment, call centre solutions, least cost routing (LCR), LAN and WAN infrastructure development and ICT consulting services. The business model sees a core infrastructure with high-level partners, such as Siemens, Mitel and Saicom. As Nkutha explains: “We provide a turnkey solution that uses the best that Maweza Technologies` partners have to offer.”

Nkutha`s initial grounding was in electrical engineering. However, further education saw him receiving a bachelor`s degree in business administration (with a focus on marketing), as well as further studies in business and HR management, IT and strategy. However, he wanted even more.

“I`d heard about Softstart BTI and joined up in 2009, entering a `plug and play` office space with shared resources,” says Nkutha. Softstart BTI is a SEDA-sponsored ICT business and technology incubator that stimulates, grows and launches early-stage, technology-rich businesses. It focuses on technology incubation, professional business support services and resources, and a network of expert incubation and coaching professionals.

Nkutha was looking for guidance and the energy of other entrepreneurs. He says that the lessons (which covered areas from financials and operations management) to the level of personal support have made a significant difference to his business.

As with any business, Maweza Technologies has experienced challenges alongside the successes. “The biggest challenge is funding. Just getting your brand out there requires extensive resources,” says Nkutha. “Plus the economic depression has impacted within the ICT space.”

With projects totalling over R35 million across a two-year period, this start-up business has also had good successes. Penetration of the university environment has seen LCR solutions for the Universities of Limpopo and Venda. Another LCR solution was rolled out for the Ekhurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality and Maweza has made inroads into hospitals, with Edenvale Hospital already on their books.

“We exist in a competitive environment but there is a lack of effective black business in the IT space,” says Nkutha. “Maweza`s number one priority is service delivery – providing the right solution at the right time.”

Nkutha is aiming to grow the business and, ultimately, to list. “It`s important to be successful, to have an impact on people and to leave a legacy. This is about growth for everyone,” concludes Nkutha. Watch out for Nkutha and Maweza Technologies. You`ll be hearing more.