Prins Mhlanga is Managing Executive of Vodacom’s South Africa Digital Media space. What that means is that if you’ve ever used any kind of communication device available, chances are very good that Prins’ portfolio has affected the world in the palm of your hand through mobile banking, advertising, content delivery or purchases.
He joined Vodacom South Africa in 1998 in marketing but his involvement with the Wireless Application Service Providers since 2003 has alleviate the network take a leading role in the enabling of Content purchases and delivery by third parties.
Using the network’s messaging platform and other infrastructure, WASPs have added value to millions of lives in developing nations by putting services such as education, health, information, banking and insurance in people’s hands, many for the first time. And let’s not forget the entertainment. He’s ultimately responsible for ensuring that the music, social media, games and pretty much most of the fun stuff on your mobile device keeps coming and stays in tune with developments.
Get him started on Mobile Innovation services and you’ll soon buy into his blue-sky vision of a world where all entrepreneurs are equal because of the potential of a technological platform that can turn any innovation and skills into revenue generating operations, big or small. For big business, The Digital Mobile Media services can forge new ground such as helping to integrate payment, utility and marketing, for example enabling you to recharge electricity, pay for it on your mobile and receive news of other services if you want it.
Prins has learnt the ropes in the content world from the inside out after holding a number of functional positions. He became a Managing Executive in 2007 and successfully merged a newly acquired company into the business, implementing his change management skills.
Through one of his previous portfolio Community Services, Over 3000 businesses were created in the previously dis-advantage areas, making communication available to the communities at large. These opportunities kindled entrepreneurship and empowered people which in turn stimulated the economy.
