VALUE ADDED SERVICES
By John Churu, Gaborone, Botswana
In an effort to keep abreast of the changing technological advances, one of Botswana’s leading mobile network providers, Mascom, has launched bill payments via its Mascom Mobile Money also known as MyZaka.
According to information availed to BiztechAfrica by the Mascom communications desk: “This new exiting service allows any registered MyZaka user to deposit money at any authorized agent and pay bills that have been configured on the MyZaka platform.”
The mobile service provider said in addition to these services that are currently available on MyZaka which are; depositing money, sending money to registered and unregistered users; withdrawing money and purchasing Mascom airtime for oneself or another Mascom subscribers, the following bills can now be paid using MyZaka: Mascom post-paid (Contract) bills and for one to be able to access this service Mascom has advised its customers to do the following;
Dial *167#; select Pay Bill; select MASCOM; enter account number to be paid (case sensitive); enter amount to be paid (must equal or exceed minimum due amount indicated) Mascom billing system will automatically be updated with payments made via MyZaka as soon as you complete the transaction.
According to Barbara Tshipana of Mascom, ”This service is FREE; for example, if someone pays P150 to Mascom towards their bill there will be no additional charges on the MyZaka account. Their MyZaka balance will go down by P150.
As for the DSTV subscriptions customers should “Dial *167#, select Pay Bill; select DSTV; enter account number or smart card number to be paid; enter amount to be paid (must equal or exceed Minimum due amount indicated).
Your DSTV will automatically be updated with the payment made via MyZaka and if it was suspended it will be reconnected. This service will be charged at P5.00 per transaction; for example, if one pays P150 for DSTV subscription an additional P5.00 will be charged from their MyZaka account. Their MyZaka balance will then go down by P155, says Tshipana.
MyZaka credit may be purchased at MyZaka agents country wide, including the following: Mascom shops, Choppies outlets, Botswana Post outlets, Furniture Mart outlets, Selected Mascom Dealer outlets etc. For one to register for MyZaka one is required to bring his/her identity document Omang (ID Card) or Passport for non- citizens to your nearest MyZaka agent outlet or Mascom Shop and fill the MyZaka service registration form which is provided on request.
