Telkom today unveiled Plug’d by Telkom, a new youth‑first mobile offering for South Africans aged 18–24, designed to connect young people to more affordable connectivity, curated content and real‑world opportunities in a single always‑on ecosystem. The platform brings together youth‑only bundles, lifestyle perks, entertainment and learning content to help young South Africans stretch every rand while getting closer to their goals.
The launch comes at a time when South Africa continues to face one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the world. Recent data shows that more than six in ten young South Africans aged 15–24 are unemployed and not in any education or training programme, even as over 50 million South Africans are online and mobile‑first. Many still struggle with the cost of data and uneven access to digital tools, leaving them at the edge of the digital economy; Telkom’s new youth platform is designed to address this gap, where connectivity, affordability and opportunity meet.
“Young people in South Africa are online, entrepreneurial, creative and ambitious, and they look to brands like ours to provide the access that can unlock a better tomorrow. Yet too many are still left buffering on the sidelines,” said Telkom Chief Marketing Officer, Gugu Mthembu. “Plug’d by Telkom is our commitment to change that, a space built for youth where every gig, every bundle and every interaction is designed to unlock real possibilities to learn, earn and move forward.”
How the platform works
The youth‑focused service will allow eligible young people to join for free in seconds via the MyTelkom App, telkom.co.za/plugd or by dialling *180#, with no subscription fees or long‑term commitments. Once registered, members unlock age‑specific offers and a growing world of content and experiences that already live where they are, in their group chats, on campus and at the culture‑defining moments that matter, turning everyday connectivity into access to learning, gigs, communities and the experiences that define “your era”. As part of the launch, new Plug’d registrations will be incentivised with 1GB of Telkom data, valid for 24 hours.
From day one, members will be able to:
- Join for free in seconds via the MyTelkom App, telkom.co.za/plugd or *180#, with simple pathways into youth‑only bundles and offers; the offering is not subscription‑based.
- Stretch every rand of data with extended‑time bundles tailored to how they live, from late‑night streaming to all‑day study sessions.
- Tap into opportunity through creator challenges, campus activations, learning partners and community projects that show how connectivity can unlock skills, side hustles and first‑job readiness.
- See themselves in the story with a line‑up of relatable, purpose‑driven partners and creators who use the service in their own lives and share real, unfiltered experiences.
“Connectivity on its own isn’t enough anymore,” Mthembu added. “Plug’d is where connection becomes direction, where data turns into CVs sent, side‑hustles launched, classes joined, and communities found. If you’re ready to write your next chapter, this platform is built to support you.”
As Telkom, our goal is to make participation in the digital economy more accessible and to ensure that possible truly begins here, unlocking pathways to learning, earning and growth for South Africa’s youth. Plug’d is about momentum, yours giving young people the connection, tools and small wins that help them stack progress day by day. To learn more, visit telkom.co.za/plugd and follow Telkom’s social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Twitter.
