Seemahale Telecoms, a telecoms and broadcasting infrastructure and services company, has teamed up with Boksburg-based CZ Electronics Manufacturing to begin the local manufacture and assembly of 5″ Android smartphones and 10.1″” tablets.
Seemahale Telecoms subsidiary Fibretronic Sales builds 2G, 3G, LTE sites, switching and transmission equipment and renewable energy solutions for base stations. Through a Motorola/Arris partnership, it also offers set top boxes, head-end equipment, content management software, IPTV and OTT solutions.
CZ Electronics Manufacturing employs more than 200 people and produces 150 000 printed circuit boards per month for industries ranging from electricity meter manufacturers to TV Manufacturers.
Seemahale has also agreed to acquire a 51% stake in CZ Electronics Manufacturing as part of the proposed initial transaction between the two entities.
“”We will be taking to market smartphones and tablets below R3 500,”” says Dr Thabo Lehlokoe, chairman of Seemahale Telecom.
He adds that with the popularity of Android, the affordability of the hardware will make the devices the preferred option for many entry-level consumers in South Africa and, soon, those in neighboring countries.
Sagran Pillay, CEO of CZ Electronics Manufacturing says: ‚””We are pleased to be making an entry into the market with products that are affordable and at the forefront of mobile technology. The local manufacture of tablet computers and mobile handsets will create substantial local employment and training opportunities, both skilled and unskilled.””
Says Lehlokoe: ‚””As we bring this technology to market, we also want it to benefit the communities in which we operate in more than just one way, so besides saving them money on the purchase price, we also want to make a meaningful contribution to worthy causes by donating part of the revenue generated from our sales.‚””
Seemahale Telecoms intends to donate R20 from the sale of the each device to the following beneficiaries: The Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital Trust, a contribution towards the building of the new Neurology ward at Dr George Mukhari Hospital led by Prof Daliwonga Magazi, the Department Of Ophthalmology at Dr George Mukhari hospital which has established itself as a Centre of Excellence in the areas of Glaucoma Surgery and Research, Pediatric Cataract Surgery and research, Management and Surgery of Ophthalmic trauma for the poorest sections of our communities, and a contribution towards the outreach program of Corpus Christi Anglican Church in Garsfontein, Pretoria.
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