Leading telecoms company Hymax SA is to merge with major Eastern Cape IT and telecoms player Sonke Technologies.

The newly created company, Sonke Hymax, will be 51 per cent owned by Sonke, and 49 per cent by Hymax SA, a company owned by Rand Merchant Bank Ventures, Thynk Capital and Cherry Creek Investments.

“The merger was strategic rather than a black economic empowerment deal and allows both companies to harness resources and expertise in order to grow,” said Sonke chief Justice Zotwa.

He said the new company would have a national footprint as it expanded Sonke’s offices to Gauteng and Cape Town, while at the same time expanding Hymax to East London and Mthatha.

Sonke Technologies, a wholly black-owned company with a 60 per cent stake held by women, was founded in 1997 by Zotwa, his wife Mandisa Mbulawa and his brother, Nyaniso Zotwa.

Last year Sonke was awarded one of only five USAL licences by Icasa and is charged with developing telecoms infrastructure in rural areas over the next three years.