My passion for building businesses is the motivation behind a dream to create an independent, truly converged, Pan-SADC telecommunications operator by 2015.

My experiences in the '90s in rolling out GSM infrastructure for Vodacom, as well as overhauling Telkom's exchanges and building its world-class NOC facilities, helped crystalise the concept that ownership of infrastructure was the key to a successful and sustainable telecommunications business.

BCSgroup's entrance into the telecommunications industry in July 2008 though the acquisition of BCSnet, was the first step in laying the foundation for building an independent infrastructure carrier that was able to compete with the likes of Telkom and Neotel. In 2009, we secured and commercialised direct international access through SEACOM and later launched metro ethernet capabilities through Africa-Inx. Our premier partnership with Alcatel-Lucent also allowed us to implement carrier-grade technology into our core networks at 70% below market cost.

2010 has seen the most significant endorsement yet of BCSgroup's vision to be selected along with Ericsson as the operating partner on the City of Joburg's 900km digital city fibre network. Not only will this network empower and give impetus to local economic development in previously under-serviced communities such as Diepsloot, Soweto and Orange Farm; it will also allow BCSgroup to commercialise the network for the provision of converged telecommunication solutions to other ISP's and corporate customers. Further infrastructure ownership opportunities have arisen through securing access to the digital port ICT concessions in Mozambique and other SADC countries.

In working hard to realise this vision with my team, in serving our customers with the same passion as building this business, and in collaborating with our strategic partners in a mutually beneficial manner, it is not inconceivable that once it unlocks the value inherent in the licences, strategic assets, projects and concessions that it has secured in the past 24 months, BCSgroup has the capability to become the next major infrastructure player on the African continent.