What it does: Offers wireline and wireless telecommunications services in more than 38 African countries at a consumer, business, and wholesale level.
Best known for: being Africa's largest communications services provider based on assets and operating revenue.
Staff stats: 18,286
The good bits: Competitive base pay, extensive benefits, and an opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology.
The not-so-good bits: A big company with lots of red tapes and poor advancement opportunities. It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle due to the company’s size, and graduates aiming to climb the career ladder may find it difficult to stand out. There may also be concerns about job security. In recent months, Telkom reduced its workforce dramatically as it struggled with debt and poor performance in fixed data and fixed voice services.
Telkom, headquartered in Centurion, South Africa, was founded in October 1991. The company was given a legally protected monopoly, with the government as its biggest shareholder. It was listed on the JSE in 2003. In 1993, the company expanded into cellular communication as part of a group of companies that bid for one of the nation's first two mobile network licenses. In March 2004, Vodacom was launched and 50% of the company was owned by Telkom. Telkom then sold Vodacom in 2008 to develop its own 3G network. By 2005, Telkom was no longer the single wireline operation in South Africa, when the license was offered to Neotel as the nation's second Fixed Network Operator Licensee.
The company has various subsidiaries including BCX, a technology company that offers ICT solutions; Gyro, a turn-key solutions provider that manages the mast and tower portfolio, property management, and property development of the group, and Yellow Pages, a local advertising and marketing company. Telkom has two divisions: Openserve is a wholesale infrastructure connectivity provider and Telkom Consumer is a fixed-broadband, internet service, and mobile network provider.
The company has seen massive revenue growth in recent years, with its mobile division being the biggest contributor to the company's revenue.
The recruitment process varies from role to role, but graduates are encouraged to send an online application through the company's careers page. Applicants may expect to begin with an initial telephone interview before being invited to a series of in-person one-on-one or panel interviews with HR representatives, department managers, and/or directors. A degree of formality when choosing attire is advised.
Applicants are encouraged to study the company's background, services, and role thoroughly as interviewers will most likely test the applicant's knowledge about the company's operations and how they can contribute to their preferred department. Group interviews may also be conducted to test the applicant's aptitude when working with a team. Depending on your role, a variety of technical assessment exams may also be administered.
Telkom's Graduate Development includes full-time bursaries for undergraduate studies in electrical engineering, information technology, marketing, computer science, and accounting. Bursars are then appointed on a fixed-term contract or permanent position on a 12-month contract period. The program involves mentor opportunities, on-the-job training, and tackling key business prospects.
Monthly, customer service representatives may receive R 11,168, sales consultants R 5,651, junior IT technicians R 10,000, and technical support R 6,067. Those in managerial roles may receive R 13,947 monthly. Fringe benefits may include a 13th cheque, car allowance and insurance, pension scheme, telephone rebate (fixed and mobile), subsistence and local travel, and various performance awards.
Insiders reported a laid-back work environment where teamwork is highly prioritised. The company's customer service department is infamous for being a high-pressure workplace with rigorous demands, but insiders got by with help from colleagues and supportive management.
Telkom's corporate social responsibility is expressed through the Telkom Foundation. Established in 1998, the foundation offers sustainable social-economic solutions on education and social welfare with an aim to transform disadvantaged communities. Telkom Foundation acts in partnership with the private sector, government, and education institutions to improve the quality of education in English, science, maths, and technology.
South Africa's declining economic climate has hit Telkom hard, and graduates aiming to get in may find concerns over job security. Applicants are advised to keep their eyes peeled for openings in the mobile division, as this department has seen the most growth since 2019. Graduates who sign the contract, however, may be encouraged to stay, thanks to the company’s generous remuneration, supportive environment, and leading technology