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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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