By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
South Africa’s Minister of
Communications and Digital Technologies, Hon. Solly Malatsi, has graced MTN
Group’s Ambassadors’ Appreciation Dinner, which brought together ambassadors,
high commissioners and representatives of development institutions and international
organisations from across the group’s markets.
The event featured the 2026
Y’ello Care Awards, which recognise the contributions of MTN employees to
community development through the company’s employee volunteerism programme.
MTN said the dinner provided
an opportunity to celebrate the work of its employees, who have dedicated their
time, skills and energy to serving communities for 19 years through the Y’ello
Care programme.
This year, more than 6,000
MTN employees contributed over 50,000 volunteer hours to healthcare initiatives
that reached more than 400,000 people under the theme “Expanding Equitable
Health for Every Community”.
At the 2026 awards, MTN
Uganda was named the South and East Africa (SEAGHA) Regional Winner, while MTN
Eswatini emerged as the overall winner. MTN Benin won the Francophone Africa
Regional Award, and Bayobab was recognised as the Platform Business Winner.
MTN Group Chief
Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer Nompilo Morafo said expanding
access to healthcare was essential to broader social and economic development.
“Expanding access to
healthcare is not only a health imperative; it is essential to education,
skills development, inclusion and sustainable growth,” she said.
“I am deeply grateful to
every MTNer who gave their time and skills, and to the health workers,
governments and communities who made this work possible.”
Other recognitions included
the Y’ello Values Awards, with MTN Rwanda receiving the Lead with Care and
Serve with Respect awards, MTN South Sudan winning Can-do with Integrity, MTN
Cameroon taking Collaborate with Agility, and MTN Ghana receiving Act with
Inclusion.
MTN Nigeria received the
Collaborative Spirit award, MTN Côte d’Ivoire won Best Use of Digital Tools,
and MTN South Africa was named Most Improved. MTN Eswatini won Most Engaging
Social Media Post, while MTN South Sudan received the Most Captivating Photograph
award.
MTN congratulated its
employees and partners for their contributions to the initiative, which seeks
to translate the company’s commitment to community development into practical
action.
