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UNI Networks believes that the youth should lead ICT post-COVID -19
16 July 2020
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is being felt by all businesses around the globe and companies are making significant changes to adapt, as well as overcome some of the challenges associated with the pandemic.
An information and communication technology (ICT) company, UNI Networks has spread its wings after realising that COVID-19 has forced people to work from home. Cape Town-based UNI Networks, owned by Ashton Murungweni and Dyke Kangoma, provides structured and wireless solutions; CCTV and TV installation; network auditing and troubleshooting; data and voice cabling; fibre installation to home automation and the management of ICT services for companies.
“People need to be connected more than ever, especially those working from home,” says Murungweni. He continued by saying, “There is a need for greater ICT connection as companies navigate the era of COVID-19.” Murungweni emphasised that even companies who have returned to their offices needed wireless workstations to better adhere to social distancing.
According to Murungweni, the company was helping businesses adapt to new workplace procedures. He explained, “UNI Networks was affected at the start of the lockdown because our core function was physical installations, but we adapted and offered advisory services to clients, which resulted in a few income opportunities, such as creating or updating clients’ databases.”
Murungweni explained that the company was started in 2014 by a group of 10 technicians, which employed six people who have been with the company from the start. He said that UNI Networks has an additional four people also working for the company on a part-time basis.
“The technicians have been working individually on an informal level before deciding to combine their skills and offer a one-stop-shop for all ICT-related projects,” according to Murungweni.
The company owners, Ashton Murungweni and Dyke Kangoma commented, “Entrepreneurship was the principal reason for starting UNI Networks and after gaining some experience, we felt that there were market gaps that we could tap into as young entrepreneurs.”
Murungweni added that young people should lead the ICT sector because they already possess the basic skills of the industry. “ICT companies and the government should increase their efforts to develop the skills of the youth in emerging technologies like online 3D production, robotics, and e-health,” he concluded.
Originally written by GCIS Vuk’uzenele
