The mid-nineties played host to South Africa`s most profound IT revolutions: the mass adoption of Internet connectivity and the explosion of cellular communications. And Johnnic Holdings, an icon of successful South African commerce, has got not just a finger but a whole hand in each pie.

Mike Brierley, CEO for MTN Network Solutions, sits between the two. Besides eBucks, MTN Network Solutions is the only joint venture between the distinct and traditionally separate media and telecoms branches of the Johnnic golden tree. Ironically, despite starting life as a Johnnic eVentures initiative, the MTN Network Solutions shareholding was split 60 to 40 percent in favour of MTN.