Careers not jobs

EVOTEL IS THE FUTURE OF FIBRE – ALEX KLEINGELD!

In a candid and inspiring studio conversation with Wasanga Mehana on Radio 702’s Aubrey Masango Show, Alex Kleingeld, Evotel’s Chief Executive Officer, shed light on the unsung heroes and dynamic systems powering South Africa’s digital landscape – fibre networks. While many people take stable internet for granted, often just asking, “Do we have Wi-Fi?”, the infrastructure behind those seamless connections is far more complex, intentional, and people-driven than most would imagine.

Evotel, a Fibre Network Operator (FNO), plays a pivotal role in building and maintaining the underground fibre lines that keep homes and businesses connected. According to Kleingeld, service disruptions are often caused by external factors such as municipal work or construction accidents – reminders of how delicate and essential this infrastructure truly is.

So, what makes fibre such a game-changer? Kleingeld explained that, unlike other internet sources, fibre offers unmatched stability and speed, unaffected by rain, congestion, or peak-time usage.

“Whether you’re a gamer demanding zero lag, a binge-watcher who can’t stand buffering, or a remote worker relying on video calls, fibre ensures consistent performance,” he said.

Beyond the household, the commercial impact of fibre is even more significant. From small businesses to large enterprises, uptime is critical: “Downtime doesn’t just affect productivity – it affects livelihoods,” said Kleingeld. With Evotel boasting a 99% uptime, the company places immense emphasis on maintenance, proactive monitoring, and responsive customer service. That kind of reliability doesn’t happen by chance – it’s engineered, maintained, and protected daily by a dedicated team of hardworking individuals.

One of the most powerful moments in the interview was Kleingeld’s passion for the industry’s potential to change lives. His own journey – from knocking on doors during the era of fax machines to leading cutting-edge infrastructure efforts – is a testament to grit and growth.

“I’ve seen people come from underprivileged backgrounds, and now they’re thriving – buying homes, supporting families, and building careers.”

The fibre industry isn’t just for the tech-savvy, Kleingeld pointed out, as he highlighted the broad range of roles available – from sales to construction, technical services to network operations centres (NOCs). “If you’re curious, hardworking, and have the right mindset, there’s a place for you in this industry,” he emphasised.

And for those intimidated by sales, Kleingeld offered a fresh perspective: “It’s all about consistency, resilience, and mindset. You might face 99 rejections, but the 100th could be your breakthrough.”

He doesn’t just teach his team how to sell – he teaches them to believe in themselves. And that lesson resonates far beyond broadband, starting with a challenge to all South Africans to demand more from their service providers: “Don’t settle for just speed. Ask about uptime, service guarantees, and maintenance practices. After all, speed without reliability is like a fast car without brakes.”

Whether you’re a business owner, a curious parent considering future careers for your child, or someone who simply wants reliable Wi-Fi, this conversation offered valuable insights – and a powerful reminder that behind every connection is a human story of innovation, determination, and growth.

As the interview unfolded, Kleingeld’s leadership values became evident. “If your people aren’t there, there’s no company, no accolades.”

While he humbly accepts recognition – such as the prestigious EX Award for Top Sales Manager – he’s quick to redirect the credit to his team: “It’s your people that get these accolades, really.”

He places high value on human resources and emotional intelligence, emphasising that leaders must see employees as individuals with personal lives, struggles, and potential. A strong HR team, he believes, helps maintain morale and productivity – key drivers of business success.

Empathy is a central theme in Kleingeld’s leadership: “If you don’t feel something for the person sitting next to you, what’s the point?”

Trust, open communication, and understanding are foundational to his management style. That said, he also recognises the need for clear boundaries: “Sometimes, people need to know where the line is,” he said calmly.

To foster trust and transparency, Kleingeld regularly hosts “company catch-ups” – informal sessions where leadership shares updates and invites open dialogue from staff. These sessions, he says, have created an inclusive space at Evotel where employees don’t just get information – they feel heard.

Leadership, to him, isn’t about ego or titles – it’s about people, trust, and purpose.

His journey – from being chased out of offices to leading one of the country’s top-performing teams – proves that success is not just about numbers or awards, but about the impact you make on others.

Kleingeld’s grounded, people-first leadership shows that consistency and empathy can uplift not just a company, but everyone in it. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a sales rep, or a seasoned executive, there’s something powerful in his honest approach. At the heart of his leadership philosophy is one word: people.

“If the people aren’t there, there’s no business.”

This approach has helped him earn top recognition, like the EX Award for Top Sales Manager in South Africa, while building a cohesive, motivated team. Evotel is now recognised as one of South Africa’s top-rated fibre network providers – especially for customer service.

“We pride ourselves on service,” says Alex. “And we hold our ISPs to the same high standard.”

With a focus on partnerships, quality, and people, Evotel continues to grow – offering reliable internet access through its vast network of ISPs. Kleingeld’s leadership drives that growth – not just in strategy, but in spirit. Evotel’s mission extends beyond profit. In a time where many families face tough decisions – like choosing between groceries and internet – Evotel steps in not just as a provider, but as an educator.

“Our sales teams are trained not just to sell, but to help customers reframe connectivity as a lifeline – for education, for work, for survival. We might not be the cheapest,” Kleingeld admitted, “but we are essential.”

Despite the glamorised image of hustle culture, Alex keeps it real with his staff: burnout is real, and balance is non-negotiable. His way of decompressing? Switching off for a few hours to spend time with family or catch a good show. “It’s not about perfection – it’s about sustainability. You have to find that split,” he said. “Even if it’s just an hour.”

That message is for everyone – especially young dreamers hustling their way to success without burning out.

To help people understand the value of fibre connectivity, Evotel’s corporate social investment (CSI) efforts are personal and action-oriented. Over 100 schools have been connected through Evotel, with 86 fully funded by the company. And it doesn’t stop at cables – Evotel sponsors everything from soccer jerseys to drinking water for school events to entire robotics labs and training.

Through the deployment of the fibre networks, other public services also need to be engaged with beyond just the community. Municipal leadership is a key player in making sure cities have strong connections. Despite the complexities of working with government, Kleingeld recognises the value of public servants and dedicated local councillors.

“Politics is politics,” he said, “but the communities are more important.”

With the help of committed local leaders, Evotel expands its reach into often-overlooked areas. Even small actions – helping one family or school – can have a ripple effect. “That one person may become the next leader,” Alex reminded us.

Inside the company, Evotel’s strength lies in nurturing a positive work culture. It’s not just about avoiding CCMA disputes – it’s about setting people up to succeed. From performance induction programmes to free personality and IQ tests, employees are placed where they’re most likely to grow. And when things don’t work out? A humane, step-by-step process follows.

Because for Evotel, the goal isn’t job creation – it’s career creation.

“Growth is very important,” Alex emphasised.

And that growth is tangible – one former employee, Nelson Jonkoro, has already launched a successful media company (Outdoor establishment, JMedia) after starting his journey at Evotel.

With Evotel knuckling down to action in an effort to reclaim its place within the telecommunications space, we take a look at other tech-savvy countries around the world excelling within the fibre internet space.

Research reveals that Singapore, South Korea, and the UAE are some of the states at the peak of the rest when it comes to high Fiber-To-The-Home (FTTH) penetration, coverage, and internet speeds.