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entertainment

The man who brought

Maxwell Noge believes that everyone deserves a break, regardless

of their economic status. He is the man who made it possible

for ordinary families to be entertained by accessing the world of

digital satellite television. It was in 2016, while he was working as

a Chief Digital Officer, when Maxwell first pitched the idea of “open

view” digital television to his then employer. His employer did not

buy into the idea at first, and Maxwell put more time and research

into his vision of creating a once-off payment package to enable

low-income families to afford satellite television. He went on to

design a network for DSTV Openview HD and put a business case

together that was eventually supported by government. The result

was a beautiful story where even ordinary South Africans have

access to DSTV. It was his passion for working with people on the

ground and giving opportunities to underserved communities that

motivated him to see his dream becoming a reality.

to ordinary

South

M

axwell’s story starts with him, a young boy from a village in

Limpopo, arriving in Durban by train in the 1990s with nothing

but a suitcase full of dreams and bold ambitions. Considering

his family background and upbringing, he said MUT was the

“best choice” for him – a family environment that made him feel at home

whether he was at the residence or in the lecture room.

Ironically, his study choice and future career were shaped by his first-

ever encounter with a public telephone at Durban station, when he had to

call a family friend to get directions to MUT for registration. He had not

yet decided what qualification he wanted to pursue, and the “telephone

moment” encouraged him to register for electrical engineering, light current.

Standing in the registration queue without even having applied to study at

MUT, Maxwell was so sure that electrical engineering was what he came

to MUT for that he refused to leave the queue – and even started crying

uncontrollably at one point. He believes this determination was what

attracted the attention of the former head of electrical engineering, Mr Des

Mack, who helped him secure a bursary which included a computer.

His journey was further shaped by the telephone because his sponsor was

Africans

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