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Protect Your Kids from Online Predators

Posted on 8 October 202521 October 2025 by Vivienne Fouche

Some practical thoughts to guide parents and grandparents

It can’t happen in my home… can it?

Just because your children are playing online games in the safety of your home doesn’t mean that they are safe from perverts.

This is the reality of today’s digital world.

It’s hard to believe, but every parent’s worst worry is now partly digital: how to protect kids from online predators who can reach children through games, apps and social networks in the safety of your own home. This guide discusses online grooming, practical steps you can take at home, and how tools from Vox and Norton™ can help you keep children safer online.

[Editor’s note: This article comes with a sensitivity warning, particularly for parents, grandparents and other concerned family and friends.]

According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in South Africa, according to its ‘SA Kids Online Study’, one-third of children in the country are at risk of online violence, exploitation and abuse.

One-quarter (25%) of those surveyed confirmed that they had added people whom they’d never met face-to-face to their friends or contacts list.
Similarly, nearly one-fifth (18%) of those surveyed had sent a photo or video of themselves to someone they had never met in real life.

These stats also confirm just how naïve and vulnerable children can be – and why parents and guardians need to protect them.

And so, when we read about the pervasiveness of online grooming, your first response as a parent might be: ‘It can’t happen in my home – can it?’ but your second response should be: ‘How can I make absolutely sure that it doesn’t?”

With Vox and global cybersecurity expert company Norton™, parents can exert real parental control by setting up tools to help your kids explore the Internet more safely.

Unpacking Online Grooming

In decades past, parents and caregivers worried about ‘flashers’ – perverts lurking around schools in long coats, who waited to suddenly give their young victims an eyeful that they weren’t expecting.

Today, the perverts are looking for the reveal to be the other way around – and the effects can be far more lingering and devastating.

Norton™ warns that, as part of the attempted grooming process: ‘…predators may spend months steadily getting to know their potential victims. They might start this process by contacting children as they play popular online games such as Fortnite or Minecraft.

‘…Once predators gain the trust of their victims, they will then steer conversations more often toward sexual topics and will eventually ask children to engage in sexual conversations, send explicit photos, or meet them in real life.’

Reports have also surfaced of cyber predators infiltrating another online game popular with kids, namely Roblox.

But there ARE ways to fight back – and in the Vox family, we’re definitely here to help.

The Danger Lurking Behind Everyday Apps

Vox has teamed up with Norton™, which provides industry-leading antivirus and security software for PC, Mac and mobile devices.

According to Norton, children today gravitate toward social media apps that allow them to connect easily with their friends. But these social networking apps and websites are also favoured by predators who use them to communicate with their intended victims.

Norton says that, in addition to online games, some of the apps that predators may use to communicate with children include WhatsApp, Snapchat, TikTok, Kik, Monkey, Whisper and Chat Avenue.

For any parent, it’s frightening to think about the multiple ways that predators can use technology to find and target their victims.

So let the experts take care of it for you.

What Norton and Vox can do for you

Vox has partnered with Norton to make industry-standard protections readily available to families with Norton Family and Norton 360 providing one app for many devices.

These tools don’t replace conversations, but they give you clear alerts, activity reports and the ability to set safe boundaries.

Smart monitoring allows parents to monitor search terms, videos and app downloads; receive alerts for unsafe behaviour; and get detailed activity reports.

In addition, options such as location tracking allow you to define safe zones for your children and receive real-time alerts if those boundaries are crossed. Children can share their location through the mobile app.

All of these safety features – and many more – are available from Norton’s comprehensive protection for your devices and online privacy.

Protect Kids from Online Predators at Home

UNICEF says that keeping children safe online also relies on parents and caregivers maintaining open communication; using technology to protect children; spending time with them online; and encouraging healthy online habits

Talk regularly and openly: Start conversations about online life the same way you’d talk about who your child plays with in the street. Ask gentle questions: who are your friends online? What games do you play? What apps do you use?
Agree house rules: Device-free zones (dinner table, bedrooms at night), time limits for play, and rules about sharing photos or personal information.
Use parental controls: Industry tools such as Norton Family and Norton 360 offer activity monitoring, content filtering, screen-time limits, location supervision and alerts for risky behaviour. These tools help you set boundaries while still allowing kids to explore.
Co-play and co-view: Sit with younger children while they play online and encourage older children to show you new apps and settings. This builds trust and gives you a live view of who they interact with.
Check privacy and friend lists: Make sure profiles are set to private, review followers and friends together, and remind children never to share addresses or phone numbers in chats.
Watch for signs: Increased secrecy, sudden changes in behaviour, new devices or new online friends that appear overnight are all red flags.

Balancing Safety and Privacy

Monitoring doesn’t mean spying. Explain to your child why you’re using parental controls and that the aim is safety, not punishment. As children grow, shift from more direct monitoring to regular check-ins and shared agreements about responsible online behaviour.

Quick checklist for parents and grandparents (bullet list for snippet targeting)

Have an open conversation about online risks this week.
Set simple house rules for devices and sharing.
Install parental controls and review activity reports weekly.
Make social profiles private and review friend lists together.
Know how to report abuse to the app/platform and to local authorities.
Keep devices in communal spaces for younger children.

Before our world became as digital as it is today, parents only had to worry about their children’s safety in the physical environment. Today, we have to be concerned about online predators that can access our homes through our digital devices.

This is all a lot to think about, so why not let Vox and Norton take care of it for you with our comprehensive and proactive suite of solutions?

We’re here to help you keep your children safe in the online world for as long as possible without becoming another statistic. Please click here for more information.

“Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.” ~Elizabeth Stone, author

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if my child is being groomed online?
Look for signs such as secrecy around devices, sudden new friendships, unexplained gifts, changes in mood or sleep, or attempts to isolate the child from family. If a child is using private messaging apps or deleting chat histories, take note and ask open, non-judgemental questions.

What do Norton parental controls actually do?
Norton Family and Norton 360 provide content filtering, web and search supervision, screen-time controls, social media monitoring, location supervision and alerts for unsafe behaviour. They produce activity reports so you can spot potential problems early.

Will parental controls invade my child’s privacy?
Used thoughtfully, parental controls are a safety tool. Be transparent: explain why you’re using them, involve your child in setting the rules, and gradually reduce monitoring as your child demonstrates responsible behaviour.

At what age should I set up parental controls?
Start young, because even pre-schoolers benefit from basic content filtering and supervised access. For older children, combine tools with conversation and digital literacy lessons so they understand safe behaviour.

What should I do immediately if I suspect grooming?
Stay calm, listen to the child, preserve any evidence (screenshots, chat logs), report the account to the platform, and contact local authorities or child-protection organisations for guidance.

Where can I get help in South Africa if I need to report abuse?
Report serious threats to the police (SAPS) and the platform where it occurred. Seek support from child-protection organisations and trusted local counselling services.

Enabling People Through Technology

Posted on 27 August 2025 by Vivienne Fouche

People of Vox: Spotlight on Natalie van der Merwe

“Technology is best when it brings people together.” ~ Matt Mullenweg

As the Vox Head of Products: Telephony, Natalie van der Merwe is another long-serving Vox employee who embodies so much about what makes the company great. She’s smart as a whip, innovative in her thinking, excited about technology and how it can empower people’s lives, and an all-round ‘Just Plain Nice Person’ who is loyal to the core. As such, she embodies many of Vox’s values and is a great fit within our ‘work family’.

Natalie also played a significant role in facilitating remote and hybrid working arrangements for so many Vox customers when Covid struck the world in 2020 – more on this later!

Having joined in July 2008, she’s now clocked up 17 years at Vox and is surprised to find that the next big milestone – 20 years – isn’t that far off. Let’s dive into Natalie’s pathway at Vox.

The Journey to Date

“The great growling engine of change – technology.” ~ Alvin Toffler

“I feel like I’m part of the furniture at Vox now,” says Natalie with a smile when we talk about her recent 17-year work anniversary. “Actually, no – not part of the furniture, because the furniture’s come and gone more than I have!”

She explains that “Telephony is just another word for PBX, really. So it’s always been PBXs since I started with Vox, with my role and the parameters changing over time.”

Natalie started at Orion Telecom, in 2008, which was then bought by Vox. Before that, she’d been in the PBX industry since 2000. “When I joined, I discovered that, while Orion was trying to get into the PBX industry, they were still very newly in this space, so I was able to put my experience to good use in helping to build up this new side of the business.”

Since then, says Natalie, Vox has probably offered its customers over 10 different types of PBX solutions while she’s been on board. Her passion and talent meant that she moved swiftly from starting out as a PBX Product Manager to becoming a Senior Product Manager, and then promoted to Head of Products: Telephony.

From Hardware to the Cloud

“Our business is about technology, yes. But it’s also about operations and customer relationships.” ~ Michael Dell

“When I first started in this industry, even before my Vox days, telephony was very much a hardware business,” says Natalie. “A PBX was something that you sold – it got installed at the customer’s office and everybody could see, touch and feel it. And then we had an evolution!

“I remember that I was about two or three years in at Vox – around 2010 / 2011 – when we launched our first cloud PBX, which was challenging for me at the time – and no doubt for most of my industry peers – because I’d never been involved with cloud PBXs previously But, as technology marches continually forward, we made the shift.”

Natalie clarifies that from Vox first starting to sell cloud PBX systems, up until early 2020, there was still a significant amount of hardware being sold. “However,” she notes, “at the same time, there was also a serous chip shortage globally, which was a really big issue, because many of the components of the products that I sold needed these chips to function.

“Simultaneously, the word was starting to spread about the advantages of cloud telephony options, with its features that included video calls, remote working and mobility. And then, of course, Covid arrived, with the result that everything just speeded up – significantly!”

Before the first whispers of a frightening new global pandemic started doing the rounds in early 2020, Natalie and her team had already been looking into cloud PBX options, which was to prove highly fortuitous.

The Covid Pandemic Kicks Cloud PBX into Play…

“What new technology does is create new opportunities to do a job that customers want done.” ~ Tim O’Reilly

“I’d started looking at a couple of cloud PBX competitors, and we’d done some testing. I’d even started out some research and development (R&D) projects before Covid loomed. And so, when it did arrive, we were able to move very quickly, launching around July / August 2020.

“When you think that we went into lockdown at the end of March that year, it was just four months later that we were able to launch and offer our customers fully tested and researched cloud PBX solutions to help South Africans continue working remotely, as efficiently as possible.”

Four months is an astonishingly short timeframe in which to launch a new product!

Natalie continues: “We sold our first PBX solutions as semi-cloud. After that, in just under a year, we went completely cloud-based, and we haven’t looked back! It provides all the functionality to facilitate ease of remote working, and everything a business needs for unified communications, with its core components of voice calling, messaging and video conferencing.

“Those phrases were such buzzwords just 10 years ago, but they really started coming into play in South Africa for us during Covid. At Vox, we were very proud to be able to help South African businesses and individuals carry on thriving during Covid and beyond. Having the right technology and tools really can make life better.”

On the Home Front

“Innovation is the outcome of a habit, not a random act.” ~ Sukant Ratnakar

Moving away from Natalie’s work persona, we find that she has an interesting heritage, with her father being South African ‘to the core’, and her mother born in Italy. Natalie herself was born in the small Karoo town of Beaufort West, where she lived with her parents for the first year of her life.

“My mom came over with her parents on a ship from Italy – as you did in those days – when she was about four or five. I’ve gone over to see where she originally came from, and where my grandparents lived, which was very special. “I’m also married – to my high school sweetheart – and we have a beautiful 15-year-old daughter who keeps us very busy, as all teenagers do.”

Besides doing some very worthy charity work in her spare time, Natalie relaxes and unwinds with a group of friends who all like to craft. “We get together every couple of months to do something creative. So far it’s involved a lot of painting, for example we’ve painted welcome mats, canvases, bags… We’ve also tried out lipstick making, a macrame class, making chocolate truffles and doing ‘zentangling’… It’s nice to just de-stress and have a good laugh with your friends.

“I still do ‘zentangling’ in my spare time, which is so much fun! It’s actually just scribbling, but you get patterns and you create… Instead of scrolling on my phone at night, I grab a book and the zentangling is a great way to clear my mind a little bit.”

Natalie works from home three days a week and is at Vox’s Johannesburg head office for the other two, an arrangement that suits her. “It’s great to have the option of really getting through my work while I’m at home,” she clarifies, “but those couple of days in the office also serve to re-connect with my colleagues, and experience the company’s energy and friendly vibe. I’m very fortunate to work with team members who are very hands-on and helpful, and always happy to learn new things.

“I think that Vox’s employees are one of the company’s greatest strengths – our culture is one of hard work, but also being prepared, always, to reach out a helping hand whenever anyone has a need.”

And of course, it’s partly thanks to Natalie and her team that Vox employees – and customers – have the option of being able to work from home in the first place, using Vox’s cloud-based telephony and unified communications solutions!

A Constantly Evolving Journey

“It’s not that we use technology, we live technology.” – Godfrey Reggio

As well as Vox’s friendliness and family vibe, Natalie appreciates the company’s culture of innovation, its agility and senior management’s open-door policies.

“In a way it never actually feels like I’ve worked for the same company all this time, because there have been mergers and acquisitions, new CRM systems, and of course an ever-evolving succession of new product offerings. Within our industry, technology changes so quickly that sometimes it’s challenging to keep up.

“It means that yes, you’re on your toes, but it also means that you’re always offering, or preparing to offer, something relevant. The next thing is always coming along, which is fun and enjoyable. And so that’s a great thing about my job – there’s never a dull moment, and my work is always interesting!”

Natalie believes that the world is at the next phase of a massive change with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI).

“This will affect the work of anybody who’s selling tech and services – it’s the next evolution! And in the technology world, if you’re not on the bandwagon with what’s happening, you’ll be left behind. If Vox had never launched that first cloud PBX, where would our telephony division be today?”

“Technology like art is a soaring exercise of the human imagination.” – Daniel Bell

Your Company’s Telephony Needs: the Right Choice

Posted on 8 August 20258 August 2025 by Natalie van der Merwe

Considering the differences between traditional and hosted PBX

Even in today’s digital business world, Voice remains a key element in the overall communications offering, and so it’s important to make the right choice for your company’s telephony requirements. This includes whether to choose traditional on-premises PBX or hosted PBX (in other words, cloud solutions).

Being able to speak to a person – rather than engaging with a chatbot or following text-based or voice-activated instructions – allows both a customer and the organisation’s representative the chance to convey the right tone of voice, which sometimes means the difference between a successful sale or retained customer, or lost possibilities. Talking over the phone can also help to build good customer relationships.

In this article, we consider the differences between traditional PBX and hosted Voice. Both options can provide effective and reliable company phone systems that offer different benefits, and each have pros and cons for different business scenarios.

Before we go into more detail on the different telephony systems, let’s look at different factors to take into consideration.

Questions to Consider for your Business

When it comes to choosing your Voice communications platform, there are many things to factor in, such as the size of your business, existing infrastructure, budget constraints, the number of remote offices, the level of your technical expertise, your tolerance for being dependent on service providers, and more.

And so, when trying to decide between traditional PBX or hosted Voice, you could ask yourself the following questions:

Budget: How much money is available and what’s your preferred purchasing model?
Maintenance and upgrades: Does your business require full control of your business phone system or will a managed service model be workable?
Scalability: Do you foresee significant changes in your number of employees in the future?
Security and compliance: Are your IT staff capable of maintaining the system?
Features and futureproofing: Does the system of choice offer modern features, or can it adapt to emerging technologies to ensure long-term relevance?

Bearing these issues in mind, we next discuss on-site (traditional) PBX versus hosted PBX options.

On-site PBX: Where It All Began

Private Branch Exchange (PBX) has been used for decades between employees and customers, with the PBX hardware installed on-site. The business purchases and owns the phone system hardware, networking and server equipment, and your IT staff take care of all the updates and maintenance regarding the system. The calls are routed through traditional phone lines as well as SIP trunking[1].

Budget: On-premises PBX systems usually require a higher initial investment in equipment and installation costs, and maintenance and upgrades will also need to have costs factored in.
Maintenance and upgrades: On-premises PBX systems require on-site technical support. This can lead to operational disruptions and additional labour and parts fees.
Scalability: Expanding an on-premises PBX can often require physical hardware or licensing additions, which could lead to incompatibility issues between the current PBX version and the latest software updates, resulting in costly, unplanned upgrades or system downtime.
Security and compliance: On-premises PBX systems allow companies to directly manage the security policies of their hardware but are more susceptible to data breaches if these policies are not managed correctly. This includes risks from outdated software and weak passwords. On-premises PBXs also require physical security measures to protect them from unauthorised access. This would include secure rooms, surveillance and restricted access, which in turn could be more costly and complex to manage.

Key takeaways: On-premises PBX systems can be more suitable for larger corporations with big budgets and space to host the physical hardware, as well as having the resources to manage and maintain the system. Housing the PBX system on-site brings an organisation maximum control over business communications, which might be a better fit for companies with complex and / or secure communication needs.

Hosted PBX

A Hosted PBX solution is a telephony solution where the PBX infrastructure is hosted in the service provider’s Cloud or network. Instead of using traditional phone lines, it relies on internet connectivity, more commonly known as VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol).

Budget: Cloud PBX generally involves a lower initial setup cost because it needs minimal physical infrastructure. Due to economies of scale, providers can offer Cloud PBX services at a nominal monthly fee, making it cost-effective for businesses with limited capital, and easy to budget for with a predictable monthly fee. A reliable Internet connection is a critical core cost factor.
Maintenance and upgrades: A cloud-based PBX system is maintained and upgraded by the service provider, and this remote management makes sure your cloud solution is always up to date with the latest features and security patches, with minimal downtime for the business.
Scalability: A hosted PBX solution allows businesses to add or remove services as needed, providing greater flexibility and cost savings without software compatibility issues or platform limitations.
Security and compliance: With cloud PBX solutions, it’s the responsibility of the vendor to ensure that the systems adhere to the latest security standards and compliance regulations, including the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act. Most cloud PBX providers implement advanced security measures to protect the data and prevent intrusions.
Redundancy: With the PBX in the cloud, a reputable vendor will implement multiple layers of redundancy, which are not available with on-site PBX systems. These include platform replication across geographically distributed data centres, redundant network paths between data centres, automatic failover mechanisms, and continuous system monitoring to aid in ensuring high availability and minimising the risk of service disruption.

Key takeaways: Due to ongoing advancements in Cloud technology, Cloud PBXs offer more advanced features than traditional PBXs, without the complexity of on-site installation and maintenance. They provide higher cost savings, minimal hardware requirements, and a wide range of useful functionalities. Cloud phone systems also allow your employees to work remotely, enabling employees to stay connected from anywhere they have internet access.

Your Business Communications and Vox

When it comes to the choice between traditional on-premises versus cloud PBX systems, there are many things to factor in, such as the size of your business, your organisation’s technical expertise levels, the number of remote offices, your preference for in-house or managed service providers, and more.

Whatever your preferences and requirements, Vox has a solution geared to assist your company, and its present and future needs. We look forward to hearing from you for more information on choosing the best PBX offering for your organisation.

[1] Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) trunking is a digital method of making and receiving phone calls and other digital communication over an Internet connection.

Vox Fibre Frenzy!

Posted on 7 July 202521 October 2025 by Suhail Dinat

The Fibre deal that actually makes sense

William Shakespeare once said, “what’s in a Frenzy?”

(Spoiler – he didn’t. But, then again, we hardly know what he’s saying most of the time anyway.)

Question, though – what IS in a frenzy?

Is it the frenzied breakdown when you told your boss you completed a presentation (you didn’t) and they ask for a copy (which you don’t have) and you’re trying to ChatGPT your way to success? Or is it that random Teams request from the CEO with no context (and the three days of nail biting preceding it)? Or is it being late, not connecting to a meeting, rushing for a deadline or just streaming your favourite season finale when, BOOM, Murphy invokes his Law and you meet the dreaded cry of dead Wi-Fi?

Actually; it’s none of the above. At least not today. So let’s step back from the fearmongering for a second.

You see, at Vox, Fibre Frenzy isn’t Fibre Inducing Frenzy situations – but rather getting caught up in a promo so crazy, it can’t be anything BUT a Frenzy.

What You Get with Vox Fibre Frenzy

Let’s break it down:

With the Vox Fibre Frenzy, you enjoy:

High-Speed, Uncapped Fibre (because who has time for loading screens?
Prices dropped to as little as R400pm* (previously? It was R490)
Free installation? You got it (another saving. May as well be a superhero).
Month-to-month options available.
Smart support – so you’re never left wanting when your router gives you the stink eye.

How it Works (Three Easy Steps)

Pick your FNO (Fibre Network Operator) — check which networks cover your area.
Choose your line speed — from everyday browsing to heavy streaming and gaming.
Sign up, wait for installation, and get connected.

The catch? There is none – just solid internet and a good deal.

What hiccoughs can I expect?

Other than the risk of struggling to keep up with your line speed (it can be THAT fast if you want it to), the promo is FNO/Line Speed Dependent (in non-tech terms: depends on which Fibre Network Operator is available in your area). Oh, and of course, Ts & Cs Apply (don’t they always?).

Naturally, it’s a limited time offer – so make fast (unlike your old ADSL line). That being said, if your area is covered and you’ve even given a spare thought to upgrading your line, now’s your time to shine.

Who Is This For?

If you work from home, binge-watch without shame, run a small business, game competitively, or simply refuse to watch a single spinning wheel, then this is for you. Vox Fibre Frenzy fits households and businesses wanting fast, flexible Fibre internet that South Africa trusts.

The long and short…

We live in a world where even buffering can feel like a personal attack. Whether working, playing, gaming, binge-watching, side hustling or juggling a house full of Internet demon-kids, you never DON’T need fast and stable Internet.

And with the price of everything (except, strangely, the Rand) going up lately, these huge savings aren’t just nice – they’re necessary.

And did we mention free installation? We meant it.

So, why sign with Vox?

Every ISP promises you Fibre. One step further – they all promise the same keywords (super-fast, reliable, uncapped, blah blah blah). Vox, however, actually delivers it (plus adds world class support and a multitude of option add-ons – think failovers, voice, and more). Plus, our team won’t ghost you once your Router is plugged in.

One could even say that the Frenzy isn’t just about the price – but rather about finally having Internet that’s *worth it*.

Call us Greta Thunberg, because we’re right royal philanthropists.

Our Fibre Frenzy Promo is one of those sweet, unscripted moments where everything just feels right. It’s cheaper. It’s faster. It has all the support you could need. And it’s just so worth it. Remember, though, this deal isn’t here forever. It’s a promo. And, as promos do, it will end. Probably right as you decide to sign up – so maybe try not losing out instead?

Check availability and sign up at vox.co.za — or call our Fibre Specialists on 087 805 5050 for personalised help.

Peace.

Quick FAQ
Is the R400pm price available everywhere?
No, the offer hinges on FNO-dependent availability, meaning that pricing and package options depend on FNO coverage in your area. Use our availability check.

Can I add failover or voice later?
Yes, failover and voice add‑ons are available so you can scale your service as needed.

Are there contracts?
We offer month‑to‑month options. Specific terms vary by package, so please read the Ts & Cs.

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

Posted on 27 June 202527 June 2025 by Vivienne Fouche

So snuggle up at home with your Vox Connectivity, and let the weather do its thing without you…

Winter in South Africa has officially arrived around the country (and if you don’t believe me, just ask our Vox Weather meteorologists). Or to put it another way: “Eish guys, it’s freezing!”

It’s raining, it’s pouring, it’s snowing, it’s windy and it’s just plain ‘NO MORE SUNNY SOUTH AFRICA!’ right now, almost everywhere.

So what’s a person to do in the quest to stay warm and dry and happy?

Here at Vox, we have some ideas.

Don’t Worry…

Grab your warm clothes and layer up against the weather. Beanies / scarves / gloves / rain jackets / warm socks, anyone? And as for leg warmers, let’s just call them retro cool; I mean, they can’t be a fashion faux pas any more when Shein and Temu are both bringing them back…
Grab a blanket! Grab two! Or a ‘shoulder blanket’, aka a shawl.
Close the doors, windows, curtains and blinds when the sun’s gone down. Conversely, open those curtains to catch some winter rays on sunny days when you wake up, to let any outside heat stream into your home and slowly warm it up. It’s a simple practice that doesn’t cost anything but it can make a difference.
Put on the heater or light the fire – but safely, please! – and never leave an open flame or fireplace unattended. If you have small children, be aware of any hazards to their safety.
Speaking of retro items, remember hot water bottles? The trick, apparently, is to avoid completely filling your bottle – instead, leave a little room for the hot air to expand so it doesn’t get a pressure build-up and burst. And cover your bottle with a towel if it didn’t come with a cover, to help keep the heat in and also not burn your skin.
And then there’s the non-water bottle – wheat bags that go into the microwave – which are also great for sprains or sore muscles as well as staying warmer. If you don’t have a wheat bag, you could make something similar by filling an old sock with rice, tying the opening closed, and heating up in the microwave for a short while. (Safety note: you probably shouldn’t do this in an air fryer 😊.)
Finally, warm your insides with a nice hot beverage. What’s your preference: coffee, hot chocolate, tea, Rooibos or herbal tea? And of course, wrapping your cold fingers around the hot mug helps as well.

… Be Happy

Right, now that we’ve sorted out some tips for keeping warm, let’s look at the positive side of the dropping thermometer, because cold weather is just made for home entertainment! And when all your connectivity options are covered by Vox, home entertainment is a breeze for the whole family.

Why not settle into a cold weather weekend of online-enhanced fun – here are some of your options to consider:

Streaming entertainment: Netflix, Showmax, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+ are all available locally – just grab the popcorn and chocolate (and blanket) and get comfy.
For local content, we’ve got SABC+ especially for news hounds, eVOD with soapies galore, and Afriforum TV for Afrikaans series, podcasts, radio, reality shows and kids content.
For sports options, there’s DSTV Stream and F1TV Pro, as well as Tennis TV Premium for live grand slam tournaments (hey there, Wimbledon season!).
And don’t forget about your fix of YouTube, for the young and the young at heart.

Then there’s online gaming, of course, beloved by millions today around the world. Whether it’s World of Warcraft, Fortnite, Apex Legends, PUBG, Minecraft and so much more, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a veteran or a curious newcomer, under 10 or a life-long teenager. You just need a keen imagination, fast fingers and faster connectivity. At Vox, we can’t do anything about your manual dexterity, but we can surely take care of your Internet speed!

Away from gaming, you might also want to stay in touch with friends and family with a long-overdue chat via WhatsApp or Vobi, and for those more introspective moments, the readers among us will reach out for a good book. Of course, you can always do it the old-fashioned paper-based way, but online books are also widely available – and often for far less cost.

And finally, let’s not forget about a fix of celebrity gossip – which high-profile million-dollar wedding is taking place for the international glitterati set? Who’s wearing what and who’s cosying up to who? (Looking at you here, Orlando Bloom!)

So really – who wants to leave home when “Baby, it’s cold outside!”

With Vox, the great news is that you don’t have to.

Enjoy!

PS: Just for an added bonus, here’s a link to a revamped version of the classic song, performed by John Legend and Kelly Clarkson (click on the image).

IT Expertise Served with a Side of ‘Can-Do’ Attitude

Posted on 17 June 20253 March 2026 by Vivienne Fouche

Meet our Experts: Spotlight on Roger Maia

At Vox, we value, support and actively engage people with the levels of expertise that we require to keep us moving forward as a company. In this edition of ‘Meet our Experts’, we find out more about Roger Maia, who works in the Wireless Department as a Senior Wi-Fi Architect and Engineer. His responsibilities revolve around designing and implementing Wi-Fi Networks, as well as optimising their performance.

When you meet Roger Maia and talk to him for a while, motivational sayings start popping into your head.

Phrases like: ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going’ and ‘The best way out is always through’ can be perfectly applied to the Senior Wi-Fi Architect and Engineer for Vox.

At Vox, and within his chosen IT field, Roger is known for his hard work, excellent understanding of his subject matter and a life-long learning ethic, but did you know that he’s also a talented multi-instrument musician who is always ready to give back to the community?

In this edition of ‘People of Vox’, we shine the spotlight on Roger and what makes him tick.

The Power of Persistence

Roger’s pathway into the IT arena was a little bumpy in the beginning (this is where those motivational sayings start making themselves heard).

“I finished studying and couldn’t find work in the IT industry at first,” he explains, “and so I started working for my father, who has a carpentry business. I was doing things like putting up doors, skirting boards, cornices and so on. I like to describe my dad as being ‘a doctor of wood’ – he has been working with wood all his life and knows intuitively how to craft it.

Roger dad smaller | Vox | IT Expertise Served with a Side of ‘Can-Do’ Attitude — The ‘doctor of wood’

“I then went to Mozambique for two years, where I was again working with my hands, this time fixing power tools, including drill machines, jigsaws and circular saws. After two years, I came back to SA and relatively soon was able to find a job in IT – I was happy to finally start working in my field of study.”

Some four years later, Roger applied for a job at Vox. Having aced the interview process, he began working for SA’s best local ISP around 16 years ago, on the 1^st of May 2009 – a day which, he says, is etched in his brain. “Imagine jumping from a pond into a lake or an ocean!” he says. “Well, I was looking for new challenges, and when I came to Vox, I found them – it was a massive learning curve!”

In essence, Roger was promoted during his first week to a higher-level position than the one he’d been hired for. “I started in Hosting and three days after joining, my employer moved me into IT, as I was good with staff members and computers.

Roger at Work resized | Vox | IT Expertise Served with a Side of ‘Can-Do’ Attitude — Early days at Vox

“In due course, I moved into the Wi-Fi arena, which I love, and became a senior engineer. Today, I really enjoy working with new technology, with a strong focus on research and development. Because technology is growing so fast, it means that you never stop studying in the quest to stay on top.”

Fast Forwarding to Today…

Today, in his capacity as Senior Wi-Fi Architect and Engineer, Roger works closely with his colleagues to ensure that all Wi-Fi networks adhere to specific ISO standards. He also liaises with other key people in the business, including product managers, sales specialists, technical engineers and solutions architects.

Roger says his work passion is ignited when he’s able to work with cutting-edge technologies. “You never stop studying because the technology is growing so fast,” he clarifies. “There’s always growth for Wi-Fi and it certainly is taking off, while Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) exists now also, meaning a wireless communication technology that uses light to transmit data instead of radio waves.

“And of course we all know that AI has been introduced and is being used to resolve issues. I’m interested in being able to see new technologies early in their lifecycle and introduce them within the business.”

As far as working at Vox is concerned, one of Roger’s highlights to date has been working on a stadium’s Wi-Fi design and installation in Bloemfontein with the help of the Ruckus team, while from day to day, he enjoys giving Vox clients customised solutions that work for their needs, and seeing how Vox employees grow and mature with the knowledge and skills they’re provided with. He also hopes to be able to build and mentor a bigger team one day: “At the moment it’s just Francois Combrinck and me,” he says.

Altruistic and musical

Away from work, Roger has a strong sense of family and is comfortable with the support that he experiences from both his Portuguese background and his church community.

Roger mom and dad resized smaller | Vox | IT Expertise Served with a Side of ‘Can-Do’ Attitude — Roger’s mom and dad

“My dad and my late mom both taught my siblings and me to be self-reliant and to rate ongoing study very highly. And so, from an early age, we learned the value of not having to rely on other people, and it’s a habit that remains ingrained today. For example, I’m much more inclined to look up YouTube when something needs fixing in my home – and then do it myself – than I am to call someone out.”

This same do-it-yourself philosophy extends to his musical interests: Roger plays eight instruments, including the alto, tenor and soprano saxophone, trumpet, clarinet and violin. Astonishingly, after his dad initially taught him how to read sheet music and to play the soprano sax, all the other instruments in Roger’s repertoire are self-taught!

He puts this musical talent to good use within the community by encouraging teenagers to come to church, where he teaches interested youngsters how to play a musical instrument, rather than being on the streets. So here it seems appropriate to pop another quote into the story, this time from British singer and musician Sting: ‘If you play music with passion and love and honesty, then it will nourish your soul, heal your wounds and make your life worth living. Music is its own reward.’

Finally, Roger offers the following advice with regards to overcoming specific challenges to move forward in one’s career: “Work hard and study extensively. Keep up to date by continuously studying. And as my dad used to say: If you sweep the streets, make sure you sweep them like no one else!”

Happy Contact Centres, Increased Agent Retention

Posted on 26 May 202526 May 2025 by Natalie van der Merwe

How to build workplaces that your employees want to work in

Contact centre agents are the immediate face of the company whenever they engage with its customers. When contact centre agents display a positive attitude – as well as excellent skills – this has a correspondingly positive impact on customers’ experiences, and helps with client retention.

In fact, Forbes Magazine has previously published the results from a study which revealed that happy employees are as much as 20 percent more productive in the workplace than unhappy employees – so it’s logical to assume that contact centres are no different.

When agents feel valued, equipped and engaged, they’re more likely to provide excellent service, leading to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty. In short, happy employees create happy customers. However, at the same time, high employee turnover can be a significant challenge for contact centres.

In this article, we unpack the benefits of providing a positive experience for your contact centre agents – and how to create it.

Benefits of a Happy Workplace Environment

High staff turnover rates are costly in several ways, including in the consistency and quality of customer service, as well as in the more easily measured costs of recruitment and training expenses. Research has shown that replacing a single contact centre agent can cost up to 30 percent of their annual salary, making retention not just a people issue but also a financial one.

Happy and engaged contact centre agents are important to your business for the following reasons:

Increased productivity and retention: Happy agents are more likely to stay with the company longer, which improves their overall knowledge and efficiency and, in turn, the customers’ experience. Turnover costs can ultimately be reduced.
Reduced stress and burnout: When employees are happy, they’re less likely to experience stress and burnout, which can negatively affect their well-being and performance at work.
Improved customer experience: Engaged agents are more likely to be empathetic listeners and effective communicators, leading to better customer interactions and satisfaction.
Enhanced customer loyalty: When customers have positive experiences with call centre agents, they are more likely to recommend the company to others.

Having outlined why happy employees make a positive impact on your business, let’s look at some of the particular hurdles that contact centre agents deal with.

Addressing the Challenges Faced by Agents

The specific challenges of contact centre agents include the following:

High stress levels: Handling escalated customer issues without adequate support can contribute to burnout.
Monotonous work: Repetitive tasks can make agents feel unfulfilled and undervalued.
Mismatched expectations: Agents often face pressure to meet metrics like call handling time, which can conflict with delivering quality customer service.

Addressing the particular challenges of contact centre agents requires a proactive approach that includes engagement, empowerment and growth. Measures to keep contact centre agents happy include the following:

Provide adequate training and resources and ensure that your agents have the necessary tools, technology and training to effectively handle customer inquiries.
Recognise and reward performance and gather regular feedback from your agents, providing them with opportunities for professional development.
Consider offering flexible work schedules or remote work options to improve work-life balance.
Implement programmes that promote physical and mental health, such as stress management training or access to employee assistance programmes.
Promote a positive work environment and foster a culture of respect, teamwork, and open communication.
Consider using gamification to make your agents’ work more engaging and rewarding. The idea is to integrate entertaining and immersive gaming elements into a working context to enhance employee engagement. Gamification strategies use game design and features, such as badges, leaderboards, points and rewards, to encourage active participation and make tasks fun and enjoyable.

Smartz Solutions Key Features that Empower Agents

The company understands that agent experience is the foundation of customer experience. Its platform is designed to address the challenges agents face, creating a workplace where they feel empowered, valued and motivated. The Smartz Solutions platform’s key features include:

Unified dashboards: A single interface is used to manage all channels, reducing complexity and allowing agents to focus on customers, thereby boosting efficiency.
Omni-channel engagements: Through a unified platform, agents are able to interact across multiple channels. This enhances their efficiency and improves customer service, while also allowing them to maximise their specific skills by matching them with the most suitable communication channels, enhancing their performance and job satisfaction.
Gamification tools: Engaging features drive performance and keep agents motivated.
Quality assurance integration: Feedback loops help agents continuously improve their skills.
Built-in training modules: Easy access to resources helps agents to be always prepared. Even when new agents are appointed, the built-in training modules ensure that each agent receives a consistent training experience and the correct knowledge to perform their duties effectively.
Integration: By integrating customer relationship management (CRM) or enterprise resource planning (ERP) software into the contact centre, agents have seamless access to customer data, which enables them to be more efficient and productive, and provide a better customer experience.

Gamification: The Fun Side of Work

Modern technology and data visualisation techniques enable agents to better understand their performance strengths and weaknesses. By incorporating game mechanics, organisations use an element of fun into the workplace while reinforcing performance norms.

Leaderboards, badges and tokens provide examples of real-world colleague achievements. In addition, this data becomes invaluable in facilitating productive and meaningful discussions about career progression, empowering your agents to set achievable goals and strive for continuous improvement.

Culture and Support builds Resilient Agents

Smartz Solutions understands that contact centre agent experience is the foundation of customer experience. By addressing workplace challenges, empowering agents with the right tools, and fostering a culture of support and recognition, organisations can ensure that their contact centres are places where employees thrive.

In turn, businesses can reduce turnover, enhance customer experiences and set themselves apart in a competitive market.

Vox, in partnership with Smartz Solutions, is committed to helping businesses achieve this transformation. With tools and strategies that focus on agent and customer experiences alike, the company is redefining the experiences of both customers and employees in the contact centre industry.

The Fibre Connectivity Alternative That’s Perfect For YOU

Posted on 15 April 202515 April 2025 by Vivienne Fouche

Being connected to the digital world means living in the 21st century

Internet access opens up the race to the future, providing access to tools, skills and opportunities. Connectivity has changed people’s lives across South Africa, allowing anyone to access information and communicate with others all over the country, and in real time.

Email, instant messaging and social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram have made it possible to share news and opinions and join in conversations. In addition, closing the digital divide brings millions of people into a competitive world of opportunities – in other words, able to ‘join the race’.

Compared to DSL lines (the original Internet connectivity through Telkom’s copper phone lines), Fibre Optic cables offer incredibly high Internet speeds in large metropolitan areas and many towns around the country. Because it’s so fast, Fibre is often called the ‘gold in the ground’ – it represents the pinnacle of blazing fast Internet. But what do you do if Fibre cables haven’t yet been laid in your area? You don’t want to be left behind, like a racing driver stalling on the starting grid.

Fortunately, alternative Connectivity solutions are available for every location, requirement and budget, and Vox offers them all.

Fixed Wireless

Welcome to the wonders of Microwave technology that’s not just for reheating meals. Users of this service can enjoy almost Fibre-like speeds, while its ease of setup also makes it popular. A device is pointed at a tower which services the area in which you live, providing a high-speed internet connection whose access towers are served and connected to Fibre lines as the ‘backhaul’.

Because the stations are clustered in line of sight of each other, a Fixed Wireless connection can deliver a very fast Internet experience with low latency. It’s a good option for an area not directly served by terrestrial Fibre, or if someone stays in a higher density development where no cables, just a device and a sim card, is a more convenient option.

LTE and 5G

First it was LTE and now it’s 5G, the latest iteration of technology that runs on a network of base stations using Radio waves (in a similar manner to mobile phones). Together, these options can be found in more remote regions, as well as in towns around the country, and they’re able to provide high-speed Internet access.

It’s important to remember that with a wireless solution, location is key, and so how far away you are from the nearest broadcast tower has an impact on the Internet speed you get. On the upside, from a mobility point of view, you can take your router to a secondary location and use it there, for example for work or on holiday (as long as it has the required LTE or 5G signal) once you’ve made the arrangement with your ISP.

Satellite Connectivity for Remote Areas

Satellite Internet has become a game-changer for those living in rural or outlying areas where Fibre, Fixed Wireless and LTE/5G Internet options aren’t available. Check out our Vox Satellite options across the country. We’re here to assist those on farms and at game lodges as well as remote schools, businesses and clinics.

Compared to the other options, Satellite is the slowest Internet connection available, but it’s also the one with the broadest reach, as satellites fly thousands of kilometres above us and beam their Internet signal down to the earth. If your Internet connection was a race, Satellite is the tortoise – but it’ll still get you there in the end, and allow you to stay connected!

A quick note: ADSL, the original Internet infrastructure using copper Telkom lines, doesn’t fit into the future picture because it’s at the end of its life, and as service providers stop maintaining the copper network it will become a feature of the past, quite soon.

Check out the Coverage Map

Go to vox.co.za, where you’ll see our connectivity coverage map. Type in your full physical address to check which Connectivity options are covered in your area. You can then start exploring the current packages and promos, depending on your requirements and your budget.

A quick note: Those waiting for Fibre installations can also look at Fixed Wireless or LTE / 5G as a preliminary measure until they can switch to Fibre, and then keep the original option for failover protection for those times when the Fibre line goes down.

It’s a race to the future for you and your family – and even South Africa as a whole – because *Internet Access = Moving Forward*.

Fixed Wireless, LTE and 5G, and Satellite all have an important role to play in South Africa as well as Fibre. Whatever your needs, and wherever you are, Vox has the solution.

WhatsApp and Your Customers

Posted on 10 April 202510 April 2025 by Natalie van der Merwe

A Powerful Channel for Contact Centres

We all know that mobile phones were originally invented to enable Voice calls that could be made and received on the go, and not just through a fixed land line. And so it’s ironic that we’re seeing an increasing trend in recent years for consumers to use their smart phones for text-based communication more than for Voice calls. This pattern brings ramifications for businesses as well as individuals.

The ‘texting versus calling’ trend is highly visible in private conversations as well as in the communication preferences that people have with businesses, including contact centres.

WhatsApp has become one of the world’s most popular and widely used text-based apps, and its features and popularity bring significant benefits to contact centres also – so much so that WhatsApp has, in fact, become one of the most powerful channels for contact centre usage today. Let’s unpack this further, starting with insights on why texting itself can be so useful.

Don’t Call Me (Send Me a Text)

Texting provides a quick and efficient way to communicate. There’s no need for pleasantries or small talk (especially if you’re not in the mood!) – you can simply get straight to the point. In a world where time is a precious commodity, many people see this as an advantage, especially when they’re busy or under stress.

Some of the advantages of texting include the following:

Great for multi-tasking: Texting allows people to communicate during brief free moments, including in the ‘asynchronous’ timing of messages (where both the sender and the recipient of the message don’t have to be in ‘chat mode’ at exactly the same time). For example, you can send a text message just before setting off on a trip to work and then read the response when you’ve arrived at the office, or you could send a text while waiting for your computer to finish a series of planned updates. The important thing is that you can text at a time that works for you.
Texting is easy: Even members of an older generation understand how to text on their smartphones, and it’s easier than a Voice call for anyone who is hearing impaired. For those who are introverts, or living in a country where the primary business language isn’t their first language, texting can be easier than trying to speak on the phone.
Efficiency of use: Texting allows us to get straight to the point – we ask a direct question, get a straightforward answer, and carry on with our schedule.
Written record: In addition, text messages remain with you and can be referred back to for further information or confirmation, if required.
Unintrusive communications: You don’t need to interrupt whatever you’re doing to immediately read or answer a message – you can do it at your convenience (at least most of the time). A phone call, on the other hand, requires real-time (‘synchronous’) communication at a time when it may not suit both parties to make or receive a call.
Synched to your computer: As an additional advantage, WhatsApp’s useful functionality also allows you to synch your smartphone to your laptop or desktop computer, so you can have the additional convenience of sending text messages via a device with a bigger keyboard, which for some people is more convenient.

So much for the advantages of being able to text your messages. Among the many communication channels available, WhatsApp has emerged as a gamechanger.

WhatsApp: Powering Ahead in Popularity and Availability

With over 2 billion active users globally, WhatsApp has become an incredibly popular and important platform within the digital communications landscape. Originally designed as a simple messaging app, it’s now a critical tool for contact centres, providing superb accessibility and efficiency, and enhancing customer engagement.

WhatsApp’s usage in contact centres has been a logical business extension because it’s versatile, widely available as well as extensively used, and able to deliver seamless, personalised experiences at scale.

Here are some thought-provoking statistics:

96% of South Africans use WhatsApp.
Globally, 68% of users check WhatsApp daily, indicating high engagement.
Over 175 million people message a WhatsApp Business account every day.

For contact centres, this means a ready-made audience that prefers the platform for its convenience and immediacy.

Benefits for Contact Centres

Using WhatsApp can benefit contact centres in several different ways, including accessibility, real-time conversations, a variety of media formats and cost-efficiency.

Accessibility: WhatsApp’s widespread usage ensures that businesses can reach customers almost anywhere. Unlike voice or email, which require specific setups, WhatsApp operates on a platform most customers already use on a daily basis.
Real-time conversations: The platform supports fast and efficient interactions for resolving customer queries, sending notifications and collecting feedback.
Rich media capabilities: WhatsApp supports a variety of media formats, including text, images, videos, documents and voice notes. This versatility allows businesses to share detailed information, demonstrate solutions visually, and provide instructions.
Cost efficiency: Compared to Voice or SMS channels, WhatsApp offers a more affordable solution for high-volume interactions. Businesses can save costs while maintaining high levels of service.
Track chat history: WhatsApp keeps track of all customer interactions, providing a complete view of the user journey. This ensures continuity and context, allowing for multiple agents to seamlessly assist customers.
Single place of interaction: Integrating WhatsApp into the contact centre software allows agents to manage all customer communications from one platform, streamlining workflows and improving response times.
Automation: WhatsApp can be integrated with chatbots to handle common queries, freeing up human agents to handle more complex issues.

Smartz Solutions: Integrating WhatsApp into Your Customer Journey

The Ultimate Guide to understanding WhatsApp Business | Vox | WhatsApp and Your Customers — Image courtesy of Smarz Solutions

Vox has proudly partnered with Smartz Solutions, which has been at the forefront of enabling businesses to embrace WhatsApp as part of its omnichannel communication strategy.

By seamlessly integrating WhatsApp with other channels like Voice, email and web chat, SmartzSolutions empowers contact centres to offer customers increased flexibility, helping businesses in the following ways:

Rapid Deployment: The company has a proven track record of being able to deploy a WhatsApp bot in under 24 hours, handling unprecedented interaction volumes effortlessly.
Seamless Integration: SmartzSolutions ensures that WhatsApp is part of a cohesive omnichannel strategy so that every interaction, regardless of channel, contributes to a unified customer experience.
Sentiment Analysis and Personalisation: By integrating sentiment analysis, the company helps businesses to tailor their WhatsApp interactions, ensuring they resonate with a customer’s unique needs and emotions.

Voice and WhatsApp: Coexisting for the Ultimate Solution

It’s important to remember that, while WhatsApp is revolutionising customer communication, Voice will always have a critical place in the contact centre. In particular, we find that urgent, complex or emotionally charged issues often require a human touch, and Voice channels remain the most effective way to provide that – there’s nothing like speaking voice to voice to a sympathetic person over the phone when someone has an issue or challenge.

The future for contact centres lies in balancing these channels, allowing customers to choose the method that best suits their needs at a particular time. WhatsApp can handle routine queries and initial touchpoints, while Voice agents step in for more complex interactions. Together, they form a complementary strategy that maximises efficiency and satisfaction.

Leading Her Team with Strength and Motivation

Posted on 10 April 202518 February 2026 by Suhail Dinat

Meet our Experts: Spotlight on Trisha Francey

At Vox, we value, support and actively engage people with the levels of expertise that we require to keep us moving forward as a company. In this edition of ‘Meet our Experts’, we find out more about Trisha Francey, who heads up the Vox Marketing Department. Trisha is renowned for her holistic marketing skills while combining this with a perpetually edgy and fun-filled energy within the department.

There’s something magical about successful women in the workplace.

Perhaps it’s because it’s an honour to be living in a time where boundaries are broken and glass ceiling shattered daily. Perhaps it’s a deep rooted, intrinsic desire to see them succeed. Perhaps because, deep down, we understand the years of sacrifices and unrecognised dedication from mothers, wives, and women alike and are finally happy to see them thrive. Perhaps it’s all the above.

Whatever the case, nothing warms our hearts more than seeing a strong, determined woman climb the corporate ladder and thrive. Which is why today’s People of Vox feature is about one such Wonder Woman – a mother of three, a fearless leader, and the head of our Vox Marketing Department, Trisha Francey.

Hers is a story of grit, determination, and motivation – a living indication that it’s possible to self-drive your way to success. Trisha’s journey in Vox began 9 years ago nowhere near the marketing department. In fact, she began as a Sales Agent with just four years of formal marketing training and experience. Already balancing a husband and child, she was chasing commissions and cold calling to the death.

Life, as it tends to do, had other plans, and within a short period of time she found herself applying her natural organisational talents and keen eye for detail within the Marketing Department as a Media Buyer. This is where most people would stay in their box and vegetate, but Trisha being Trisha, she decided to level up her game and make the role her own. As the months passed, she began learning, adapting, and upskilling – getting to grips with other core elements of the department, understanding the fundamentals of the game, and increasing her responsibility within the team.

It was only a matter of time before her input was highly respected amongst her peers, and Trisha went from Media Buyer to Studio Lead. Therein, she was responsible for the daily output of her colleagues as well as providing creative feedback, conflict management, strategic direction and ultimately driving the success of some of our best initial campaigns.

Unofficially, she was recognised behind closed doors as the departmental 2IC, but within the team we already knew that she was our go-to person and the calm within our (admittedly chaotic) department.

Marketing looks fun, but it’s a lot of pressure, moving parts, and rapidly shifting deadlines. Anyone who’s ever worked with a creative team understands the volatile nature of multiple unconventional personality types – but Trisha was the glue that held us together.

After years of silently working her way through the ranks and earning the respect of her peers, an opportunity presented itself as our then Marketing Head resigned – leaving a vacant position to be filled. Whilst a replacement was sourced, three guesses who stepped up (again) to take the lead? It was then literally a departmental celebration when her role was officially confirmed, and the woman who arrived as just another Sales Agent was now the Head of Vox Marketing.

Did we mention that during this time, she got married and had two more kids?

Now, let’s hear from the woman herself:

“My heart and my motivation belong to my husband and my girls. I want my daughters to see the leader I am in all that I do, both professionally and casually. I want them to grow up with fierce spirits and the belief that they can be strong, independent women, just like their mom.

“What I want to achieve with this business and my role is to create a team where each member believes wholeheartedly in themselves and in the mission of our company. Having experienced the growth that I have and built a solid foundation myself; I want to share that vision and inspire the team to recognise their own worth and the value of their time and effort. I see them not as number, but rather as individuals, each with their own story, and I appreciate their contributions.”

Trisha blends an internal fortitude (which comes out when toughness is required) with an almost innate ability to understand the unique personalities and needs of each individual in her department. Her biggest strength is playing to our strengths, juggling our unique personality types with an ever-shifting work environment yet making sure deadlines are met and quality maintained.

Have a personal problem? She has your back. Have an opinion? Anyone can share it. Multiple people within her team have grown, received promotions, and similarly upskilled themselves within a short frame of time – growth and development which wouldn’t be possible without good management and ample support. Her biggest mentor? Our CEO, Jacques Du Toit, from who she has learned through example how to be firm, fair, and still stay sane at the end of the day.

Highlights under her leadership include the launch of Vox Weather, the implementation of our new Vox CI, the successful launch and growth of multiple sister companies (such as HYPA), and the transformation of our Social Media department from one person uploading Facebook posts to an entire department of skilled specialists creating cool content daily.

Social media | Vox | Leading Her Team with Strength and Motivation — An entire team is responsible for this awesome Vox social media post…

There’s something magical about successful women in the workplace.

There’s something even more magical about watching a story of grit and excellence come to a climax. Trisha is testament to grabbing the brass ring and running with it. To using initiative, upskilling, putting in the hours and stepping out of your comfort zone to earn – not demand – respect and make a position yours. Through the years, she has worked her way to the top, and we’re currently in her title reign (we’re here for it though!).

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