Johannesburg, 1 September 2025 — Today, on the symbolic grounds of the Hector Pieterson Memorial & Museum, YOMO officially launched as South Africa’s first youth-focused Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) aimed at ending digital exclusion and igniting economic pathways for young people.
“Connectivity without purpose is wasted bandwidth. With YOMO, connectivity is the beginning of opportunity,” declared Jose Andre, CEO of Technov8, officially launching the platform. Anchored in youth empowerment, YOMO aims to transform data access into a launchpad for skills, income, and innovation.
A Movement, Not Just a Network
YOMO is purpose-built to bridge the digital divide afflicting South Africa’s youth, where over 43% remain unemployed and more than 8 million are not in education, employment, or training.
It empowers youth with affordable, zero-rated access to:
- Skills Orbit: a portal offering accredited and non-accredited courses;
- Tasky: a gig platform unlocking freelance and short-term income opportunities;
- Mentorship, creative economy initiatives, and social-impact programs — all within the ecosystem known as the YOMO-verse.
As shared across social media, YOMO positions itself as “a youth-powered mobile platform for Data, Dreams & Doing More,” encouraging users with the rallying call: #BeOnWithYOMO.
One Instagram post captured the excitement:
“It’s time to connect a million dreams. South Africa’s first youth-focused mobile platform is officially launching!”
A National Platform for Youth Activation
This launch marks the activation point of a national roadshow that will travel across provinces, taking YOMO directly to young South Africans.
The platform is envisioned as a scalable and inclusive ecosystem, one that aligns with government, corporate, and NGO efforts to mainstream youth development.
Today’s event featured a keynote by Ndumiso Kubheka, CEO of the NYDA, plus a message of support from Ike Makae (Youth Life).
In the Words of the Youth
Attendees and online followers reinforced the need:
“Before YOMO, I had to choose, data for an online course or money for transport to an interview. You’ve given us back that choice.”
This tweet-sized truth cuts to the heart of YOMO’s urgency and impact, relieving youth of impossible trade-offs and giving them a shot at education, employment, and growth.
Beyond Connectivity: A Call to Action
YOMO is not just a service — it’s a movement.
Participants at the launch, both in person and online, were urged to become ambassadors:
“Follow, like, create content, and use #BeOnWithYOMO.”
This is a collective call to spread the message, demystify the platform, and amplify youth voices across the nation.
Supporting Quotes
Jose Andre, CEO, Technov8 (YOMO Founder):
“We’re not just launching a network, we’re launching a movement for youth empowerment. YOMO connects you not just to data, but to education, income, and a future.”
Ndumiso Kubheka, CEO, NYDA:
“By launching here, where the voices of youth demanded freedom in 1976, we are symbolically and practically enabling a new generation to demand their right to opportunity.”
Ike Makae, CEO, Youth Life:
“Connectivity must include wellbeing. YOMO’s holistic approach signals a shift from passive consumption to active empowerment.”
About YOMO
YOMO is South Africa’s first youth-focused MVNO, powered by Technov8. More than delivering affordable data, YOMO provides zero-rated access to training, gig work, mentorship, creative opportunities, and holistic support, unlocking a digital economy previously inaccessible to many young people.