State-funded low-cost Community WiFi technology provider, Fibrepoynt, has announced the appointment of Mpho Sefalafala the CEO.
Sefalafala’s appointment follows the end of term for Eduard Walker, an innovative engineer and telecoms industry stalwart, who has led the company through the technology development, validation and pilot phases.
Sefalafala’s appointment is effective from 15 June 2022.
Sefalafala has vast experience in technology entrepreneurship, business incubation, funding and enterprise development, and has over the years, assisted several early technology enterprises to build and commercialize their projects.
He has also been an influencer and shaper within the entrepreneurial ecosystems in Gauteng through mentorship, policy development and advocacy.
Sefalafala holds a Diploma in Information Technology, Post-graduate Diploma in Management, and Master of Master of Management with specialisation in entrepreneurship and new venture creation from Wits Business School.
He has also completed several high-level programs like the Advanced Corporate Finance and Governance (Wits), certified Financial Modelling and Valuation Analyst (Corporate Finance Institute), and Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy for Sustainable Development (UP).
“The biggest challenge that my team had to grapple with, when I joined Fibrepoynt, was to refine the business model and reshape our approach to business development,” Sefalafala said.
“Within a young company context, this involves a lot of experimentation, reiteration and feedback from stakeholders.
“To take the company to an entirely new level, we must overcome several growth obstacles such as funding to meet our short-term cashflow requirements, partner with a BBBEE equity investor, and de-risk our clients through demonstration of a sustainable business model, while continuing to take calculated risks amid uncertainty in the market.”
Prior to this, Sefalafala held the position of Portfolio manager at the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), AppFactory Mentor and Account Manager at Microsoft, Non-executive Board member at Softstart Business Technology Incubator, Business Analyst and Financial Accountant within the financial sector, to name but a few.
Sefalafala is not new to the Fibrepoynt project, having worked on the project in their earlier funding quest and the development of the commercial strategy at TIA.
“The Fibrepoynt Board of Directors congratulates Mr Mpho Sefalafala on his role and wishes him a great success as he leads the company into early commercialisation success”, said Fibrepoynt Board chairperson, Coen Bester.
FibrePoynt manufactures and sells solar-powered wireless broadband antennas, termed HomePoynts, that enable the implementation of a telecommunication network infrastructure system for last mile delivery of a broadband data services to underserved high-density residential communities.
The solution uses specialized radio-antenna systems to provide “Spotlight WiFi coverage” to an area to deliver last-mile high-speed fixed and/or mobile internet solution, typical of lower-income township dwellings, rural small towns and peri-urban areas.
The innovation also solves signal strength problems and costs typically found in existing “last mile” antenna wireless rollouts. Furthermore, the solution does not require trenching of underground fibre and thus is fast to deploy and reduces infrastructure costs for the Network Owners.
The company now seeks to expand its flagship network in Cosmo City, Gauteng, to demonstrate scalability and sustainability of the Fibrepoynt business model. “We are looking to provide Network Owners either turnkey or partial (hardware) solutions to rolling out cost-effective community WiFi networks in underserved areas,” Sefalafala concluded.
Fibrepoynt is owned by the Poynting group.
Also read: SA Startup FibrePoynt Creates Affordable Internet Solution for Townships
SA Startup FibrePoynt Creates Affordable Internet Solution for Townships
