ATIO Corporation signs black empowerment deal

Issued by G Watt Design & Communications for Atio Corporation
Johannesburg, 01 Jun 2004

Leading ICT services and solutions provider, Atio Corporation (Pty) Ltd has signed an empowerment deal with Thuthukani Information Technology Services (Pty) Ltd.

The deal, which effectively makes Atio Corporation a black empowered company, saw Thuthukani purchase 25.1% of Atio Corporation`s shareholding. Thuthukani is a 100% black-owned and managed ICT organisation, specialising in IT infrastructure and IT consulting.

"What makes this deal unique is that Atio Corporation has put a mechanism in place for Thuthukani to increase its stake to 51% over three years," says Chris Van der Sande, CEO of Atio Corporation.

"We take the development and upliftment of the South African technology environment very seriously. I believe this dedication is also evident in the many efforts we have made internally to correct our demographics. We currently have a 36% PDI employee ratio and view this partnership as a critical step towards achieving true equity."

Thuthukani has been established for over five years and in this time has built a solid and stable reputation within the IT marketplace. Fannie Mahlangu, CEO of Thuthukani, says: "The two organisations are very complementary to each other, and it therefore made perfect sense for us to invest and partner with a company of such national recognition. This partnership will strengthen both company`s ability to offer solid, appropriate and cost-effective integrated solutions in a way that exceeds the business and strategic expectations of our clients."

ATIO Corporation

ATIO Corporation is a specialist ICT solutions and services company focusing on specific niche environments, including:

* Contact centres
* CRM
* Unified and mobile communications
* Multimedia recording
* Telephony
* Service quality assessment and revenue assurance in the GSM environment

ATIO Corporation entered the ICT industry more than a decade ago, and has since built up a comprehensive track record of successes as a leading South African ICT services and solutions provider, with numerous blue chip companies and public sector clients in SA, Africa and Europe that have already made use of ATIO`s extensive expertise and services.

ATIO Corporation prides itself on service delivery that is on time, within budget and to specification.

ATIO Corporation has been nominated as one of the Top ICT Companies (Corporate Research Foundation) and Top 100 Technology companies (Business Day) in SA.

Thuthukani Information Technology Services

Thuthukani Information Technology Services (Pty) Ltd was established in 1998 by black ICT professionals. The company focuses on delivering IT Infrastructure solutions to the South African ICT market.

Thuthukani is 100% black owned, controlled and managed. The company enjoys relationships with key strategic ICT partners, and is thus able to effectively leverage and develop existing client investments in IT infrastructure.

For more information please visit our Web site: www.thuthukani.com

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