By Phiwa Sikhondze
An initiative by MTN Eswatini’s Human Resources (HR) team has led to an idea by employees being implemented in three other markets.
The initiative is a Dragons Den-type contest and gives MTN Eswatini’s employees the chance to submit ideas that drive continuous improvement. Adjudged winners receive due recognition and those with the greatest impact receive maximum recognition and prizes. The project is driven by the HR team and expresses the belief that innovation is essential to business growth.
This is contained in the 2023 MTN Group People Report; a report that showcases the achievements and initiatives undertaken by MTN Group HR teams across the company’s various footprints.
“The Report describes what has been achieved over the last three years by the thousands of people across our footprint who have made our story such an inspiring one; a story that today touches the lives of more than 295 million customers on two continents.,” notes Ralph Mupita, MTN Group President & Chief Executive Officer.
According to the Report, 159 ideas were submitted in 2023 alone with a third of which have been implemented.
“Winning ideas include a SIM card that has a dedicated connection to the cloud or a particular content service provider, bypassing the normal internet path. Another winning submission has to do with fintech direct deposits, which have limited fraudulent transfers by agents. This single idea has already been adopted by MTN operations in three other markets,” notes the Report.
Moreover, the Report reveals that the MTN Eswatini HR team received the Investors in People Platinum Accreditation award in 2023.
The IIP Platinum accreditation is one of the highest benchmarks for companies excelling in leadership quality, employee well-being, and organizational culture. Only a small percentage of organizations globally meet the stringent requirements for Platinum status, making MTN Eswatini’s accomplishment particularly noteworthy.
Alongside this recognition, the company also holds the 2019 Standard Accreditation from the South African Board for People Practices (SABPP), underscoring its dedication to workplace excellence.
Furthermore, the MTN Eswatini HR team also received Best Opco for embedding Live Y’ello Values. Worth mentioning is that this was an MTN Group award, while the other two were external awards.
MTN Eswatini has long been regarded as one of the Kingdom’s top employers, an achievement backed by a strong focus on employee engagement.
The company’s recent 2023 “Happy People” survey reveals that 89% of employees feel engaged, 91% experience an inclusive culture, and 87% report inspiring leadership. These figures emphasize MTN Eswatini’s commitment to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to the company’s ongoing success.
MTN Eswatini’s HR strategy centers on five key focus areas: ensuring business resilience, creating a culture of motivation, promoting diversity and inclusion, advancing a digital HR experience, and accelerating team development with future skills. By focusing on these pillars, MTN aims to build a resilient organization that supports employee satisfaction while also adapting to a changing business landscape.