ITWeb reported that Google has finally appointed a Country Manager to setup it’s South African operations.
South African Internet usage has grown 120% in the past year, and it won’t be long until you see eBay, Yahoo & the others follow Google & Amazon’s recent foray (Amazon’s Cape Town office built EC2) into South Africa.
We have the fast growing user base (5m+), emerging middle class, 5%+ economic growth, broadband adoption growing rapidly, and SA is the gateway into Africa – over 1bn people – it’s only the logical next step. Oh, and did I mention, 30m+ mobile users!!!
I had the chance to meet with Stafford Masie today, the new Google South Africa Country Manager, and I can truly say that I was very impressed with his energy and I think that he is going to make a big difference here. I’ve read some blogs where people have stated some concerns – and this echoed the “behind the scenes” chatter within the industry – which went largely unpublished.
Prior to meeting Stafford for the first time ever today – I must admit that I was also a bit hesitant myself, as he is effectively an industry “outsider” to Search Engine Marketing and I wasn’t sure what to expect. In all honesty, if I don’t have something heartfelt to say – I’d usually just keep quiet, but I’m going to put my neck out here and say to all the naysayers, that I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised with Google’s appointment. As usual, time will tell – but he has my support and faith!
After the discussion today, I can only congratulate Google on an excellent choice in appointing Stafford!
One of the recent posts that emerged was one from Vincent Maher, that I must disagree with, was about Google discouraging entrepreneurs by entering the local market.
It’s not that South Africa is a major focus area for Google, though in the EMEA context it probably is big alongside Egypt, it’s that the impact of Google making direct and interpersonal connections with advertisers in this country might well have a significant impact on the online media industry and their margins. The fact is the local online ad industry doesn’t need a revitalisation, it has been going through one for the last two years and the entry of Google on a more serious level may have a negative impact on the local entrepreneurship we’re seeing.
Aside from that, local companies paying offshore companies for local ad-spots seems a bit like we’re a banana republic.
There are search engines in South Africa, that shall remain unnamed, that prey on the ignorance of advertisers trying to advertise online in South Africa – and that’s all I’m going to say on this point. I do believe that Google will “bring balance to the force” 
Google being more local will actually assist the industry in weeding out the crap that has emerged from our recent boom in online and encourage entrepreneurs to focus on building valuable businesses, that can be monetized by Google’s Adsense, which has created thousands of $ millionaires – Google earns roughly 1/3 of it’s $14bn/year in revenues via AdSense – and a large percentage of that is paid back to publishers. If anything, Google encourages entrepreneurship, like no one else in this space (maybe even as much as eBay!).
As in all countries – Google has ruffled offline media feathers by forcing them to be held accountable to their media agency’s grandiose ideas. The reality is that online usage and time spent is growing, and offline media consumption is dropping, globally. Google’s model is to make advertising efficient, and inefficient media companies are forced to either adapt or face revenue drops. This has lead to agencies like IPG being forced to diversify their business through acquisitions. You’ll soon see similar moves in South Africa, as the market moves to a more efficient marketing platform.
Vincent’s comment on the “Banana Republic” only held true up until this point. If Google reinvests those profits in developing South Africa, and Africa – then it’s certainly not just milking the local economy for profits, it’s building the industry.
My prediction is that we’re going to see a lot of world first innovations coming out of South Africa, as a result of Google taking the initiative here and showcasing both our technical talents, but more importantly, the commercial opportunities for Internet multi-nationals in South Africa!
I trust that all my (local) readers will join me in welcoming Google to Africa – thanks for joining us, finally!!
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Comments On This Post
August 15, 2007 at 11:16 pm
I’m a big fan of Google and what they have achieved and how they have revolutionised the online advertising market. I find it amazing how many “traditional” online publishers have a love/hate relationship with Google. One thing I would encourage Google to do is be more transparent about the commissions it pays via Google Adsense…
Wrote more about it here: http://www.matthewbuckland.com/?p=35
and here: http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/wp/matthewbuckland/2007/08/15/google-news-to-accept-comments/
August 15, 2007 at 11:18 pm
Very interesting news indeed. Thanks Vinny for bringing this appointment to my attention. I met Stafford a few years ago when I tried to sell a sponsorship for very large Open Source research project to him, on behalf of World Wide Worx. Anyway he’s done wonders for open source and has the vibe, the vision and the veracity to pull it off for Google.
August 16, 2007 at 3:24 am
Very true. From what I’ve seen, South Africa has is home to many of the worlds most intelligent people. If any internet company were going to build a name for themselves there, I’m glad to see Google will be one of the first.
August 15, 2007 at 9:16 pm
I’m a big fan of Google and what they have achieved and how they have revolutionised the online advertising market. I find it amazing how many “traditional” online publishers have a love/hate relationship with Google. One thing I would encourage Google to do is be more transparent about the commissions it pays via Google Adsense…
Wrote more about it here: http://www.matthewbuckland.com/?p=35
and here: http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/wp/matthewbuckla...
August 15, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Very interesting news indeed. Thanks Vinny for bringing this appointment to my attention. I met Stafford a few years ago when I tried to sell a sponsorship for very large Open Source research project to him, on behalf of World Wide Worx. Anyway he’s done wonders for open source and has the vibe, the vision and the veracity to pull it off for Google.
August 16, 2007 at 1:24 am
Very true. From what I’ve seen, South Africa has is home to many of the worlds most intelligent people. If any internet company were going to build a name for themselves there, I’m glad to see Google will be one of the first.
August 16, 2007 at 10:03 am
What fantastic news! And no doubt you will enjoy fantastic support after such a shining review!
August 16, 2007 at 2:07 pm
[...] Vinny Lingham, a well-know South African Internet entrepreneur, mentioned this morning, Google is coming to South Africa. They have appointed Stafford Masie as the General Manager. What does this mean [...]
August 16, 2007 at 8:03 am
What fantastic news! And no doubt you will enjoy fantastic support after such a shining review!
August 17, 2007 at 11:40 am
As Matthew says, we online publishers have a love hate relationship with Google. But you can’t hold back the tide so we are just going to have to change to meet the Google challenge. Google’s arrival is certainly good news for Africa. Not just the search engine but also the additional services they seem to come up with at Google all the time. So many of Africa’s issues could be dealt with by the smart application of technology, which a company like Google could facilitate.
August 17, 2007 at 9:40 am
As Matthew says, we online publishers have a love hate relationship with Google. But you can’t hold back the tide so we are just going to have to change to meet the Google challenge. Google’s arrival is certainly good news for Africa. Not just the search engine but also the additional services they seem to come up with at Google all the time. So many of Africa’s issues could be dealt with by the smart application of technology, which a company like Google could facilitate.
August 19, 2007 at 11:43 pm
[...] South Africa too. Don’t know much about it though. But it doesn’t look technical yet. [1] Amazon has offices in South Africa, Cape Town, with developers too. (Jerith is someone who works [...]
August 21, 2007 at 11:50 pm
South Africa is certainly growing dramatically in all spheres – socially, politically, and economically. With continued growth especially in terms of internet usage here, it makes perfect sense that Google would want to establish a South African office. I think it’s a great step forward, both for Google and South Africa!
August 21, 2007 at 9:50 pm
South Africa is certainly growing dramatically in all spheres – socially, politically, and economically. With continued growth especially in terms of internet usage here, it makes perfect sense that Google would want to establish a South African office. I think it’s a great step forward, both for Google and South Africa!
August 23, 2007 at 11:06 pm
[...] expects more Internet companies to move to South Africa in the near future: “South African Internet usage has grown 120% in the past year, and it won’t be long until [...]
September 11, 2007 at 9:01 pm
Great news! South Africa has huge internet development potential I feel. This is long overdue!
September 11, 2007 at 7:01 pm
Great news! South Africa has huge internet development potential I feel. This is long overdue!
September 26, 2007 at 3:30 pm
Fantastic News !!! They should have been here in SA yesterday, but I’m really happy for South Africa that they finally show interest in this booming market. Our blog has a strong focus on South Africa and our number one partner for online marketing has been Google. Since day one … and with amazing results like ROI up to 600 procent …. actually a better investment then property !
We are actually from Brussels, Europe and have an upcoming project planned in Central America but the amazing thing about online business is that you become geographically free. You can become a location independant professional, travel the world and looking to surf offline. For that J-Bay is as good as it gets.
We did an internship for 18 months and are now enjoying a well deserved holiday of 6 months … next month we fly back to Europe for 2 months … we might come back for another 3 month holiday in J-Bay before exploring Central America the next 3 months … sounds like living the life ?
Anyway sorry to get off track, this is an mindblowing blog and this news makes my day !!!
September 26, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Fantastic News !!! They should have been here in SA yesterday, but I’m really happy for South Africa that they finally show interest in this booming market. Our blog has a strong focus on South Africa and our number one partner for online marketing has been Google. Since day one … and with amazing results like ROI up to 600 procent …. actually a better investment then property !
We are actually from Brussels, Europe and have an upcoming project planned in Central America but the amazing thing about online business is that you become geographically free. You can become a location independant professional, travel the world and looking to surf offline. For that J-Bay is as good as it gets.
We did an internship for 18 months and are now enjoying a well deserved holiday of 6 months … next month we fly back to Europe for 2 months … we might come back for another 3 month holiday in J-Bay before exploring Central America the next 3 months … sounds like living the life ?
Anyway sorry to get off track, this is an mindblowing blog and this news makes my day !!!
February 12, 2008 at 4:37 pm
This, for the first time make my Google SEO philosophy called “google is a person” a reality in RSA. More to follow in the future on the Quote, but that aside, the quote is officially dated now, although first mentioned to Eric E. and Max K. in 2007.. was it June? It will become a model I m sure!
Molo 12-02-08
February 12, 2008 at 2:37 pm
This, for the first time make my Google SEO philosophy called “google is a person” a reality in RSA. More to follow in the future on the Quote, but that aside, the quote is officially dated now, although first mentioned to Eric E. and Max K. in 2007.. was it June? It will become a model I m sure!
Molo 12-02-08
February 29, 2008 at 8:17 am
This news has just made my day. Im speechless, WOW! Google has been my first web buddy since I got my hands on the internet. Im an internet fanatic and damn im so flippen addicted to it. I always find an excuse to surf the web. What i’d do is that id look for a job online, get the job, than i would want to resign just so that i can look for another job online. Its so fun, but I think I must stop doing that now because i got a daughter and I will need to stay in one permanent job position so that i can take care of my daughter financialy, by the way im a 21 year old male from South Africa in Cape Town and I would be more than happy if Google opens its branch in “The Mothercity”. Im so excited, yepie!
February 29, 2008 at 6:17 am
This news has just made my day. Im speechless, WOW! Google has been my first web buddy since I got my hands on the internet. Im an internet fanatic and damn im so flippen addicted to it. I always find an excuse to surf the web. What i’d do is that id look for a job online, get the job, than i would want to resign just so that i can look for another job online. Its so fun, but I think I must stop doing that now because i got a daughter and I will need to stay in one permanent job position so that i can take care of my daughter financialy, by the way im a 21 year old male from South Africa in Cape Town and I would be more than happy if Google opens its branch in “The Mothercity”. Im so excited, yepie!
March 10, 2008 at 8:26 pm
[...] official opening of Google’s South African headquarters made tech news headlines locally and got many of us geeks, I’m happy to admit, pretty [...]
April 2, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Ok this great that google is going to open in south africa But google already made a mistake and i have 11 reasons why i say so
April 2, 2008 at 8:24 pm
One of my first reasons is , the projek maniger , it is gonna fail , sorry , but if it is gonna work great south africa , then there will be light in the low point of africa, there should be a strick line of apointing people , the should watch out for bbe , I already work for one of the bigest companys in the world Sasol , and bbe is bringing it to the ground , all the best for google, And please make it work
April 2, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Ok this great that google is going to open in south africa But google already made a mistake and i have 11 reasons why i say so
April 2, 2008 at 6:24 pm
One of my first reasons is , the projek maniger , it is gonna fail , sorry , but if it is gonna work great south africa , then there will be light in the low point of africa, there should be a strick line of apointing people , the should watch out for bbe , I already work for one of the bigest companys in the world Sasol , and bbe is bringing it to the ground , all the best for google, And please make it work
April 8, 2008 at 2:22 pm
I watched it on Carte Blanche and I would LOVE to work for Google!
April 8, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I watched it on Carte Blanche and I would LOVE to work for Google!
April 10, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Should Google appoint/hire me than id be the happiest man alive. Iv got Microsoft Office experience, I love surfing the net and using the Google search engine to find important URL’s and iv also got Sales Experience. Id be on top of the world working and growing with a company that I admire. I love you guys. Cheerz.
April 10, 2008 at 10:44 pm
Iv got Microsoft Office experience, I love surfing the net and using the Google search engine to find important URL’s and iv also got Sales Experience. Id be on top of the world working and growing with a company that I admire, a company like Google. I love you guys. Cheerz.
April 10, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Should Google appoint/hire me than id be the happiest man alive. Iv got Microsoft Office experience, I love surfing the net and using the Google search engine to find important URL’s and iv also got Sales Experience. Id be on top of the world working and growing with a company that I admire. I love you guys. Cheerz.
April 10, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Iv got Microsoft Office experience, I love surfing the net and using the Google search engine to find important URL’s and iv also got Sales Experience. Id be on top of the world working and growing with a company that I admire, a company like Google. I love you guys. Cheerz.
April 16, 2008 at 4:51 pm
[...] Google to open South African office, follows in Amazon’s footsteps Posted in South Africa, Stafford Masie, expansion, impact on competition, tactics by aheavens on August 15th, 2007 Vinny Lingham [...]
May 27, 2008 at 5:48 am
i just saw the insert on the company, please if you guys are moving to south Africa can i work for you guys….lol(serious though)
May 27, 2008 at 12:48 pm
i just saw the insert on the company, please if you guys are moving to south Africa can i work for you guys….lol(serious though)
July 6, 2008 at 9:01 am
just wanna know where your offices will be ?
July 6, 2008 at 4:01 pm
just wanna know where your offices will be ?
September 2, 2008 at 8:09 pm
GOOGLE SOUTH AFRICA SUCKS> IT IS MISSING MANY BASIC SERVICES AND HASN”T DEVELOPED AT ALL IN A YEAR> EVERYONE SHOULD BE FIRED WHO ARE WORKING ON IT
September 10, 2008 at 9:09 am
An interesting article, thank you. I hope that your predictions that we’re going to see a lot of world first innovations coming out of South Africa will come true.
October 1, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I was surprised to read that South African Internet usage has grown 120% in the past year, and of course I hope that it won’t be long until we see eBay, Yahoo & the others follow Google & Amazon’s recent foray (Amazon’s Cape Town office built EC2) into South Africa.
October 24, 2008 at 11:13 am
I can start by saying I'm maybe a little late to comment ons this where will I be able to contact google south africa I have phoned the google headquarters they don't really know what the status is. Secondly as far as i'm concerned google is the pioneers of the internet without them how would you find that perfect plugin for your game or so on without google I mean what is the first page you look at in the morning I bet its google, damn all the naysayers who are they to say they didn't create the largest and more sufficient search engine on the planet
Google I salute you!!!
November 23, 2008 at 12:47 am
This is just fantastic, knowing that South Africa will be having a Google HQ rocks my world!
December 4, 2008 at 12:04 am
Also very happy they’ve arrived – love their work. But I simply can’t get their contact details (want to know when Google Maps for SA will be updated as at moment are very poor – no street level detail or directions – which is a big shame given 2010 and the marketing SA needs). Have searched online, spoken to their head office etc. etc. Only seem to get directed to various forums to submit questions and then get generic responses. Does anyone have any sort of contact details for them?
December 10, 2008 at 8:17 am
I would also be interested to speak to them – where are their offices and what is their contact details
March 23, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Thanks for this informative update. It is good that they are expanding and coming to SA. I think that it is usually pretty difficult (impossible?) to actually contact Google by phone. The only way is to use the online submit forms.
March 30, 2009 at 6:56 pm
This is a sign that they are showing an interest in South Africa. Which means both that Google is being successful as a company and that SA is becoming more attractive to large businesses, which is a good thing for the country.
April 3, 2009 at 6:44 pm
you predicted big things. The only thing out of Google South Africa that has made any news was the recent resignation of the chief executive after a year and a half of stagnation… Hopefully they can appoint someone who wants Google SA to shine a little more. Even Google Kenya has more press and services than Google SA. It's depressing…
April 24, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Yes unfortunately nothing good has really happened yet as a result. Still, the future will probably be brighter and then we'll see what happens.
April 24, 2009 at 8:52 pm
It's good that they are in SA now. Google are the pioneers of the internet.
May 4, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Nice article, thanks for sharing
May 10, 2009 at 11:14 pm
My name is Milton and what can i say ! cuase my friends call me already Goo-Goo because i like Google to much.Again thank u the Google team u the best in the bisness and i as a South African will not be the same without you on my PC.
June 23, 2009 at 3:06 am
Has Google SA died? Gone quiet…
June 29, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Wow!! I didn't realize that about South Africa.
July 6, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Should Google appoint/hire me than id be the happiest man alive. Iv got Microsoft Office experience, I love surfing the net and using the Google search engine to find important URL's and iv also got Sales Experience.
July 6, 2009 at 11:02 pm
I'm not too sure about technology, but one thing I know it will show to the world is the incredible skill and craftsmanship of the people of South Africa. They are able to make saleable items out of what would seem like junk to the western world, the accessories such as bags and purses that they make out of recycled materials is amazing.
August 2, 2009 at 6:41 am
Ok this great that google is going to open in south africa.
But south africa isn't good place for google i think
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