Rural Connect
RURAL CONNECT
Rural Connect

About Rural Connect Network

"Find Services. Grow Communities."
Rural Connect Network is a digital platform on a mission to bridge the gap between rural talent and the world.

CEO Statement

"In many rural corners of South Africa, brilliance is everywhere — carpenters, teachers, creatives, and hustlers who build their communities from the ground up. Yet, these talents remain unseen because the digital world doesn't easily reach them. Rural Connect Network was born out of the desire to bridge that gap."

— Hector Baloyi, Co-Founder & CEO

About Company

Rural Connect Network enables small businesses, skilled individuals, freelancers, cooperatives, and informal traders in South Africa's rural areas to establish a digital footprint and access new clients.

  • Browse service categories
  • View portfolios, contact info & locations
  • Send inquiries directly to providers
  • Discover new services within your area
  • Access business news and tender opportunities
  • Find employment and business opportunities
  • Sell products and services through our marketplace

Vision & Mission

Vision: To simplify the discovery of local services and empower rural professionals with visibility, trust, and community engagement.

Mission: To foster economic growth and digital inclusion in South Africa's rural communities by creating the country's most trusted and accessible online directory platform.

  • Promote digital adoption in rural areas
  • Make rural businesses discoverable nationwide
  • Support small-scale and micro enterprises
  • Build a digital ecosystem that celebrates local excellence
  • Provide access to news, opportunities and markets

Business Achievements

  • 100+ listings across Limpopo, Mpumalanga, Gauteng & KZN within the first 2 months
  • Mobile-optimized website with low-bandwidth support
  • WhatsApp-based onboarding for rural businesses
  • Partnerships with local municipalities & community radio stations
  • Regular spotlights on youth-owned & women-led businesses
  • Professional photography & video content via Rise Events Photography
  • Expanded services to include news, jobs and marketplace features

Our Services

  • Digital directory listings with profile pages
  • Search & browse by category, location & rating
  • Direct contact links (WhatsApp, call, email)
  • Map integration to find nearby services
  • Business promotion & featured listings
  • Listing support & WhatsApp onboarding
  • News and events - business and financial news including tender tips
  • Jobs and opportunities - government and private sector jobs with direct application
  • Marketplace - platform to sell goods and services directly
  • Digital empowerment via ValoyItech (websites, hosting, branding, SEO)
  • Photography & video content via Rise Events Photography

How We Work

  1. Community engagement through local leaders & forums
  2. Listing intake via website, WhatsApp, or pop-up events
  3. Manual verification & curation of profiles
  4. Visibility boost via search results & social media
  5. Follow-up & ongoing support for updates
  6. Web & branding development for scaling businesses
  7. Regular updates of news, opportunities and marketplace items

Our Collaborations

We proudly collaborate with strategic partners to empower rural businesses:

  • ValoyItech : Providing advanced digital solutions including websites, hosting, e-commerce, branding, SEO, and online marketing.
  • Rise Events Photography : Delivering professional photography and video production services that help rural businesses look confident and market-ready.

Business Registration

Rural Connect Network (PTY) LTD
Registration No: 2025/653742/07
Tax Number: 9772597192

Address: 22355 EXT 4, Mamelodi East, Pretoria, 0122