Vuma partners with YouTube to power up connected TV’s eKasi
Vuma, in partnership with YouTube, has announced a pilot programme aimed at tackling digital inequality in South African township homes by enabling affordable, high-speed fibre internet bundled with Smart TV streaming.
The initiative, launched in underserved areas like Alexandra Township, Johannesburg, will see 2,000 Vuma fibre-connected households equipped with free Google TV streaming dongles, turning standard televisions into smart, connected entertainment hubs. This partnership underscores MAZIV’s (parent company of Vuma) broader mission of creating an inclusive, connected South Africa by extending the benefits of fibre to underserved communities.
Driving digital inclusion and access for all
The primary goal of the pilot is to advance digital inclusion by increasing access to high-speed, reliable fibre internet. By pairing Vuma’s high-quality fibre network [NS1] with YouTube’s content ecosystem and Google TV technology, the collaboration aims to empower families to learn, connect, and entertain from the comfort of their homes, bridging the gap between connectivity and meaningful online participation.
YouTube’s living room leadership and global inclusion commitment
YouTube has become the number one platform for TV watch time in places like the U.S., surpassing all other streaming services and media conglomerates. This trend confirms the living room as a major consumption hub for a wide range of content.
According to Mahesh Bhalareo, Director of YouTube Product Partnerships, EMEA, enabling an easy-to-use, accessible Connected TV experience is key to driving digital literacy and content adoption. By bundling Google TV dongles with Vuma's reliable and fast fibre internet, they are creating a seamless pathway for customers to enjoy the full range of their content, from education to entertainment, in a way that is affordable and sustainable for their households.
MAZIV’s vision through Vuma: Connecting more South Africans
Vuma plays a central role in realising MAZIV’s long-term vision: connecting South Africans from all walks of life to world-class digital infrastructure. The collaboration with YouTube reinforces MAZIV’s commitment to bridging the digital divide through scalable, innovative partnerships that go beyond connectivity to enable meaningful participation in the digital economy.
Zunaid Mahomed, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at MAZIV, added that “Our fibre to home model fundamentally disrupted the market by breaking the financial barriers to connectivity for households across South Africa. The collaboration with YouTube and Google TV is a powerful extension of that mission, transforming access into empowerment. It completes the circle by enabling people not only to get connected, but to experience the full value of being connected: learning, earning, and engaging through technology.”
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