Interview - Deon Geyser, CEO at Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa

Deon Geyser & Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa - Winner of the Top Empowerment Digital Transformation of The Year Award

By Raine St.Claire

As a crucial financial contributor, Liquid Intelligent Technologies plays a vital role in the telecommunications and technology sectors of the country. The company is committed to fostering economic transformation by increasing the participation of previously disadvantaged groups.

Dedicated to Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE), the company has continuously invested in enterprise and skills development programs, with a particular emphasis on empowering the youth and supporting small and medium enterprises over the years.

With an impressive B-BBEE Level 1 status of 135%, the company has diligently worked towards achieving this distinction since expanding its operations in South Africa through the acquisition of Neotel in 2017. Recognising its role as a transformative leader in 2023 with The Top Empowerment Award, this prestigious accolade serves as an inspiration for South Africa’s corporate leaders, acknowledging their innovative leadership and substantial impact on communities and society.

In an interview, Deon Geyser, CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa, chats about the company’s success and vision to broaden their reach and ahead.

Q: Congratulations on the remarkable achievement of winning the Top Empowerment: Digital Transformation of the Year Award. Can you share the key initiatives or strategies implemented by Liquid Networks South Africa that contributed to winning this prestigious award?

As a leading pan-African technology leader, we have been at the forefront of empowering individuals and businesses that use technology and innovation as tools for building Africa’s digital future. We are enabling social mobility and the economic prosperity of individuals and businesses across the continent through increased access to the internet and technology. As Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa, we have been investing extensively on digital technology infrastructure as a strategic priority to bridge the digital reducing poverty, inequality, and unemployment.

Overall, our focused investments in South Africa have facilitated widespread internet access, supported public services, and helped bridge the digital divide, thereby contributing to the nation’s digital economy. This has contributed to winning this prestigious award.

Q: Liquid Networks is part of Liquid Intelligent Technologies, contributing to Africa’s digital future. Please unpack the services offered by both companies and how they relate to each other.

Liquid Intelligent Technologies (Liquid) which is a business of Cassava Technologies comprises of three Business Units, i.e. Liquid (under which the Networks portfolio sits), Liquid C2 and Liquid Dataport. We service the market through our in-country sales teams for these three Business Units, and work with our broader counterparts like Africa Data Centres etc. to ensure we offer a comprehensive set of products to the broader market.

Our rebrand from Liquid Telecom to Liquid Intelligent Technologies in 2021 was to highlight that in addition backbone across the African continent (110,000 km), we also offer Cloud services, services, Unified Communications, Managed Network Services, Applications, professional services. All purpose-built for increased business enablement throughout Africa. We provide tailor-made digital solutions to businesses in the public and private sector across the Continent, fully aligning with its corporate vision of enabling a digitally connected future that leaves no African behind.

Liquid C2 revolutionises the way businesses connect with their mobile and digital customer base by providing flexible, streamlined, and scalable solutions and elevating business operations to new heights. Through Liquid C2’s strategic partnerships with global technology leaders we are delivering on our strategy to deliver top-tier cyber security solutions.

Through Liquid Dataport, we manage our international wholesale business and take the lead in developing and implementing a diverse and robust network strategy. The company’s role is pivotal in fostering collaborations, partnerships, and initiatives that contribute to the resilience and efficiency of international wholesale connectivity. Boasting over 64,000km of subsea cables that we have strategically invested in, Liquid has become a consortium member of prominent networks, including WACS, TEAMS, SAT3/SAFE, EASSY, and fibre on EQUIANO.

Liquid Dataport extends its reach beyond traditional terrestrial networks through global satellite connectivity. This satellite service expands the company’s footprint, enabling connectivity in remote and underserved areas. It underlines their dedication to inclusivity and providing connectivity solutions where they are needed most.

Q: How has the award impacted your vision for the company’s role in advancing digital infrastructure and technology solutions?

Receiving this award is an endorsement of the company’s vision and affirms our commitment to our role in advancing digital infrastructure and technology solutions. The award illustrates Liquid SA’s resounding impact in:

Recognising Internet Access as a Fundamental Right:

We believe that access to the internet is not just a luxury, but a fundamental right that catalyses economic opportunities and development. This award strengthens our resolve to ensure improved digital access, particularly in Africa, through ensuring that everyone has access to this vital resource.

Addressing the Digital Divide:

LITSA is a strong proponent of Digital inclusion. We recognise that, despite the rapid adoption of digital technologies globally, there is a noticeable and growing digital divide in Africa. The award motivates us to scale up our efforts to bridge this gap through our ever evolving digital solutions and technological advancements.

Investing in a Digitally Connected Future:

The award validates our strategies and acknowledges the impact of our continuous investment in infrastructure and innovative solutions that are not only advanced but also readily accessible and profoundly impactful.

Committing to Leaving No African Behind:

Our vision, deeply ingrained in our mission, is to ensure that no African is left behind in the digital era. This award reinforces our commitment to this vision, pushing us to deploy technologies and solutions that reach even the most remote and underserved communities.

Q: How do you see the intersection between digital transformation and empowerment, and how has Liquid Networks South Africa exemplified this connection?

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, digital transformation is a critical component for businesses to thrive in a digital future. At the heart of this transformation lies the empowerment of the workforce and their respective surrounding communities, to adapt, embrace, and excel in the digital era. A comprehensive digital transformation strategy encompasses not only the adoption of new technologies but also the cultural shifts required to leverage their full potential.

Digital transformation empowers the workforce and prepares them for a digital future, highlighting key areas such as skill development, employee engagement, collaboration, and productivity. Overall, South Africa’s digital economy has benefited from our targeted investments in digital infrastructure, which have enabled public services, expanded internet access, and reduced the digital gap.

Liquid’s strategic investments in fostering digital innovation, inclusion and sustainability showcases our commitment to digital services extending beyond technological advancements. This really encompasses a holistic approach that promotes diversity, inclusion, skills development, and sustainability. Through strategic partnerships and investments in cloud and cyber security, Liquid is not only securing its technological future but also actively contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable business and participation therein by the impacted communities.

Q: As the CEO of Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa, how do you prioritise and implement empowerment programmes within the organisation to foster diversity and inclusivity?

Our vision is to create a digitally connected future that leaves no African behind, and of course a large part of this is the youth. Also, we believe that the investment in the youth and their education is critical for the future of the country. The programmes that we undertake are very important and they empower our youth to remain relevant and participate in the digital economy.

It gives them the confidence and opportunities. The impact that we want to make through our programmes is to create long sustainable and self-standing businesspeople that participate meaningfully and contribute to our economy. We believe that an enabling environment is the best tool that can be given to the young people.

Liquid’s empowerment programmes collectively contribute to creating a well-rounded, skilled, and diverse workforce that not only meets the company’s current needs but also prepares for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

Q: Empowerment often involves partnerships and collaborations. Can you highlight key collaborations or partnerships that played a crucial role in Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa’s success and empowerment efforts?

Collaboration and partnerships are critical to the success of any programme. At Liquid, we are deliberate in deploying our resources towards fostering and maximising our public and private sector partnership towards, not only growing our business proficiency, but to also developing the communities within which our business operates. For example, in the Eastern Cape we partnered with the Eastern Cape Provincial Government and SITA to deploy an effective Innovation and Digital Skills Centre (IDSC) Mthatha, launched in 2021.

To date over 300 local learners and unemployed youth have successfully completed and received accreditation in various digital skills courses that are offered, free of charge, at the IDSC. In addition, we have also partnered with the Forge Academy and the Royal Bafokeng Trust to offer sustainable digital and entrepreneurial skills to unemployed youth through our Youth Empowerment Programme in Phokeng and Gauteng. The programme was launched in August 2023 and is set to be continued and grown in scope and impact in the coming years.

Liquid has over the years, consistently supported education through sponsoring bursaries to tertiary institutions and supporting learnership and youth development programmes. We are in the process of ensuring connectivity to various TVET sites and digital learning centres in South Africa, and creating capacity for the learning and teaching of various innovative digital technologies.

Q: The Top Empowerment Award reflects not only financial success but also a commitment to service excellence. How does Liquid Intelligent Technologies South Africa prioritise superior customer experience while maintaining a focus on empowerment?

Liquid Intelligent Technologies prides itself on being the digital services provider of choice for businesses in South Africa and the rest of the continent. Customer service is at the heart of all that we do and why we have invested extensively in our expansive fibre backbone, partnerships with international cloud and cyber security service providers like Microsoft, AWS, Google etc. to bring the best-in-class solutions to African businesses.