Welcome to month two of the year - already. My fingers are still autotyping 2025 and struggling to find that 6. I trust your back-to-school and back-to-work is off to a good start.

Annual subs pricing increases

Please take note of our annual price increase effective 1 March, for packages on our own network (Cape Connect owned Home fibre, Wireless, Heatzone and Business fibre services).

We have done our best to keep this to a minimum based on the increased cost of supplying services to our clients. Our Business Fibre and Heatzone products will be seeing their first price increase since 2018 this year.

New pricing will be automatically assigned to your current package and debit orders for March. Our 2026 price list will be sent to your client app and portal page as well as your email address on file this week, available under your services lists, and updated on our website.

Client app features and use

Our new client app and portal have a fantastic array of functions for you to self-manage your service but may take some getting used to. We've set up a quick guide to help you navigate everything. Download it here (pdf file).

A reminder of the Referral system available on your client app - this gives you a discount of R150 per successful referral for both you and your sign-up, credited once the first invoice has been paid. Please use the link on your app to refer a friend and claim your discount, as this is automatically processed for credits. The more you refer, the more you get!

Another reminder that auto-blocking of outstanding accounts kicks in today with a R200 re-connection fee payable. December and January's grace periods to clear balances have expired, balance-of-account debits are running, and any outstanding manual payments or unpaid invoices are now overdue. Should you have a credit on your account during this process, it will be applied toward your next invoice. This system is automated and your bank details are self-managed. Please make sure you know how to use it.

New payment methods

We have enabled PayFast payments on our client app and portal. You can now use Apple Pay or Samsung Pay by selecting Payfast here. We will have Capitec Pay and ABSA Pay available soon. Any payments made using either PayFast or Netcash are auto-credited immediately to your account.

It is important to note that if you are receiving invoices from this system, all payments MUST be processed via your client app or portal. We will no longer accept ATM deposits or direct EFT payments to our bank account for any invoices that are listed on your client app or portal. If you have any questions regarding your payments please email billing@cape-connect.com.

From the Archives

We've been in business for 18 years. That is 18 years of experience with weather of all varieties. We often joke when suppliers come out with new equipment "but is it Cape proof?". Because most equipment is designed for your average weather conditions - and we are far from average. If you live in Gordons Bay, you know exactly what happens when those clouds start peeling off the mountains and the wind sweeps down. The wind is why we use thick steel poles instead of thin aluminium ones on wireless installs, why we double-check how secure our wall brackets are, give that extra bit of tightening to any bolts and nuts and secure our towers with proper foundations.

This was an antenna bracket specced for what the manufacturer thought was long term outdoor use - until Gordon's Bay struck. It simply ripped in half before it had even had time to rust.

Then there's the small matter of salt and sand added to wind. This is the "business end" of an antenna on a very similar bracket. Within a year the sea air has completely eaten away at aluminium and stainless steel. It's simply falling apart with its bracket hot on its heels.

There's a perception that providing internet is set and forget - you connect to our service and we sit back, take money, and don't have to do anything else. But in the background one of our many battles to keep you online is against the elements. Wind, rust, fires, floods, storms, heat and cold mean we sleep with one eye open. We do everything right to deal with these, but when Mother Nature strikes all we can do is fix what she broke.

Shot of the month

We're often out on site at very odd hours and in very strange places - but this means we get some awesome views. Here's this month's picture perfect shot.

May February at the very least bring you chocolates

Michelle Bainbridge

Chief Internet Artisan

Cape Connect Internet (Pty) Ltd

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