A recent study by the Bureau for Economic Research BER at Stellenbosch University reveals that the rollout of affordable, high-speed fibre broadband is significantly improving work prospects for residents in South African townships. The research shows that employed individuals, in particular, are benefiting by using the internet to explore better or alternative job opportunities.
The study tracked households in the Kayamandi township over a three-year period and found a direct link between home fibre access and increased online job-searching behaviour among those already in the workforce. Employed respondents with fibre connections were more likely than their counterparts without fibre to actively search for new employment online. Notably, these changes were observed immediately after households received a connection and strengthened over time.
This development is part of what researchers are calling a township fibre revolution, in which fibre network operators FNOs have adapted their business models to serve low-income, high-density areas that were previously considered commercially unattractive. Companies like fibertime and Vumatel are now offering uncapped prepaid fibre plans for as little as R5 per day or around R100 per month. Many providers also waive installation fees and provide Wi-Fi routers in every electrified home at no extra cost, bringing high-speed connectivity to tens of thousands of households for the first time.
