BY GCWALISILE MHLABANE
MANZINI – As cyber threats continue to expose digital users to fraud and other online risks, MTN Eswatini has called on every person using digital services to take greater responsibility for their online safety.
The call was made during the official launch of Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2026 at Botho University, on October 1, 2026, where MTN Eswatini, Mobile Money (MoMo), academia and the Eswatini Communications Commission (ESCCOM) joined efforts to promote safer digital behaviour.
MTN Eswatini Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jerry Soko said securing the country’s growing digital economy could not be left to one institution.
“No single institution can secure the digital economy,” Soko said.
He said government, regulators, telecommunications companies, academia, businesses, schools and communities all had a role to play in building a safer digital environment.
Soko said the need for awareness was particularly important among young people, who increasingly rely on digital platforms for learning, communication and creating opportunities.
“As young people spend more time learning digitally, communicating, creating online opportunities, we must also ensure that they do so safely,” he said.
He said protecting children from exploitation, abuse, fraud and other online harms should extend beyond the home and classroom.
“Child online protection is not only a family or a school issue; it is a national responsibility,” Soko said.
The CEO also linked cybersecurity to the growth of Eswatini’s digital economy, saying people must have confidence in the platforms and systems they use.
“Digital inclusion is more than just about connectivity; it is also about trust,” he said.
According to Soko, without trust, adoption of digital services could slow and opportunities created by technology could be limited.
He encouraged students to see cybersecurity not only as a career path, but as an opportunity to contribute to society.
“The future will belong to those who can build, protect, and sustain digital world safety,” he said.
MTN Customer Value Management (CVM) Operations Coordinator Tifeziwe Dlamini said cybercrime could affect any digital user, making awareness and responsible behaviour essential.
She urged users of internet platforms and Mobile Money services to protect their credentials and remain cautious when dealing with unexpected requests.
ESCCOM representative Siboniso Sibandze similarly warned the public against sharing sensitive personal information, including passwords, PINs and financial details.
The campaign has distilled its practical message into three simple actions: Stay Alert. Think Secure. Act Smart.
Users are encouraged to verify unexpected requests for personal information or money, pause before clicking or sharing information, and report suspicious activity or seek help when something goes wrong.
The message is that cybersecurity does not require every user to be a technical expert. Everyday decisions can play an important role in preventing fraud and protecting personal information.
For Botho University Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor Mlungisi Patrick Msibi, bringing industry, regulators and academia together was an important part of developing digitally responsible citizens.
Msibi said cybersecurity affected everyone participating in the digital environment and welcomed the partnership with MTN Eswatini in promoting greater awareness among students and the wider community.
The launch comes as digital services continue to become part of everyday life, from education and communication to business and financial transactions.
The stakeholders’ message is therefore aimed not only at cybersecurity professionals, but at every person holding a connected device.
Stay Alert. Think Secure. Act Smart.
