In October 2016, Lorna Mlonzi’s life changed forever. As an innocent bystander in a gang-related shootout in Nyanga, she was struck by nine bullets piercing her body and altering her journey in an instant. Yet from unimaginable pain and trauma, Lorna rose with extraordinary courage, refusing to be defined by violence or victimhood.
Her keynote shines a light on the power of resilience, the strength of human will, and the choice to rebuild a life filled with hope, purpose, and impact. Through her deeply personal story, Lorna inspires audiences to confront adversity head-on, reframe their mindset, and become architects of their own future.
Actionable Takeaway Message:
No matter how devastating the circumstances, you have the power to rise, rebuild, and reclaim your story. True strength is not the absence of pain it is the decision to stand tall in the face of it, to transform wounds into wisdom, and to turn survival into a powerful source of leadership and change.
Lorna Mlonzi is an entrepreneur who builds digital infrastructure and services aimed at narrowing the digital divide. As founder of an ISP and founder-level leader in projects focused on township and rural connectivity, Lorna’s work centers on delivering affordable, reliable internet to communities that have been underserved by mainstream providers.
She blends technical understanding with community-first product design, making commercial models that also deliver social impact. On stage, Lorna explains the business case for inclusion, how to design sustainable pricing and service models, and how partnerships between government, NGOs and private sector can accelerate access.
Her talks are practical, focusing on how to pilot, measure and scale connectivity initiatives so they benefit residents and local economies. Event organizers book Lorna when they need a speaker who can bridge boardroom strategy with operational roll-outs that actually work in the field.
Lorna Mlonzi is a visionary leader and the Founder and CEO of Sky Internet SA (Pty) Ltd, an innovative Internet Service Provider start-up committed to bridging the digital divide. With a profound mission to transform the lives of individuals in townships, lower income areas, and rural areas, Lorna established Sky Internet SA to make a meaningful impact on South Africa’s digital landscape.
Lorna Mlonzi’s journey as an entrepreneur and social advocate has been defined by her unwavering commitment to leveraging technology for societal advancement. Drawing from her personal experiences and observations, Lorna recognized the profound implications of the digital divide on marginalized communities. Her vision for Sky Internet SA was born out of a deep-seated desire to democratize access to the internet and empower individuals with the tools to thrive in the digital age.
With a background in technology and business management, Lorna Mlonzi brings a wealth of expertise to the forefront of discussions on digital inclusion and socio-economic development. Graduating with honors in Computer Science from the University of Cape Town, she honed her skills in network infrastructure and software development before venturing into entrepreneurship.
Lorna’s entrepreneurial journey has been characterized by her ability to envision innovative solutions to complex challenges. Her leadership at Sky Internet SA has propelled the company to the forefront of the industry, earning recognition for its pioneering approach to expanding internet access.
As a speaker, Lorna captivates audiences with her impassioned storytelling and profound insights into the intersection of technology and social impact. Her speaking engagements span a diverse range of platforms, from international conferences to grassroots community events.
Lorna’s ability to distill complex concepts into relatable narratives makes her a sought-after thought leader in the fields of technology and social entrepreneurship. Her talks inspire audiences to rethink conventional approaches to digital inclusion and embrace innovative strategies for driving societal change. As a black woman and a product of the township, Lorna understands first-hand the transformative power of connectivity and how access to the internet can change lives both professionally and personally.
She believes that internet access is a crucial tool for transformation and aims to use her company as a vehicle for change. Under Lorna’s leadership, Sky Internet SA is changing the narrative of how we view our circumstances, spaces, and ourselves. Through innovative solutions and a commitment to social impact, the company is striving to become a powerful agent of change in South Africa. Lorna’s vision, passion, and commitment are inspiring others to think differently about the role of technology in shaping our future.
On a sunny day in October 2016, Lorna Mlonzi, was shot nine times near her home in Nyanga. The bullets flew into her stomach, side and chest. “There is a lot of gangsterism in Nyanga,” says Lorna, “It was me being at the wrong place at the wrong time. During that incident, four people died on the scene. I was a bystander. I was walking past while people were shooting each other.” “I felt a burning sensation in my body.
Blood was coming out. The guns were not stopping. It was chaos. I can see people dead. I could see blood everywhere.” “I thought to myself, okay, so what happens now?” Lorna had just enough money in her wallet to hire a taxi to take her to ICU. She passed out on the way to Mitchells Plain hospital. The taxi driver thought she was dead so he pushed her out of the vehicle. “I woke up, and thought ‘great, I’m here’ – then I passed out again.” Lorna Mlonzi woke up three days later in hospital, with the nursing staff wondering how on Earth she had survived.
As a speaker, she inspires audiences with her compelling vision for a more inclusive and equitable future, challenging conventional wisdom and sparking meaningful dialogue. Event planners seeking to enrich their events with dynamic speakers who can inspire action and drive impact should look no further than Lorna Mlonzi. Lorna Mlonzi unpacks the reality of people imposing limitations on themselves, problems with data access in townships and why you should never leave your bright idea sitting on a table like a potato for someone else to cook.
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In October 2016, Lorna Mlonzi, then just 24 years old, was shot nine times in her township of Nyanga, Cape Town. Bullets tore through her stomach, chest, and side during a gang shootout that left others dead on the scene. Against all odds, Lorna survived. With only R200 in her pocket, she negotiated for a taxi to get her to the hospital, but the driver, believing she had died, pushed her out at Mitchell’s Plain Hospital. Crawling toward the emergency entrance, she was rescued by paramedics and underwent multiple surgeries, including open-heart surgery, a splenectomy, and laparotomies to remove bullets and repair organs.
Her survival was described by doctors as miraculous. She reflects that the ordeal stripped away her fear of death and reshaped her priorities. Instead of succumbing to trauma, she sought purpose, detaching from materialism and dedicating herself to community transformation.
Returning to Nyanga, she launched Sky Internet (Skynet SA), making her the first black South African woman to build an ISP from scratch. Her mission is to close the digital divide by providing affordable, reliable connectivity in underserved areas. She also uses her platform to speak out against violence, gender-based oppression, and systemic failures in healthcare and governance.
Lorna’s experience taught her resilience and compassion. She believes her story can inspire others—especially women—to redefine their roles in society and see themselves as innovators, leaders, and creators of change. Her philosophy emphasizes entrepreneurship over politics, community-driven security solutions, and using technology as a tool for empowerment.
Today, she continues to operate in the same communities where she almost lost her life, showing by example that adversity can be turned into innovation and hope.
00:00 – Introduction: Lorna Mlonzi’s story of being shot nine times
01:30 – Growing up in Nyanga: exposure to violence from an early age
03:00 – The night of the shooting: chaos, blood, and survival instincts
05:00 – Negotiating for a taxi and being abandoned outside Mitchell’s Plain Hospital
07:00 – Crawling to the ER and undergoing life-saving surgeries
09:30 – Doctors’ astonishment at her survival and recovery process
12:00 – How the incident reshaped her life priorities
14:00 – Founding Sky Internet to provide township connectivity
16:30 – Reflections on systemic failures in healthcare and policing
18:00 – Belief in entrepreneurship, not politics, as the key to social change
20:00 – Inspiring message: transforming trauma into purpose and empowerment
In this keynote introduction, Lorna Mlonzi, founder and CEO of Sky Internet SA, shares her vision for transforming South Africa through inclusive connectivity. She opens with a powerful statement: “The internet has connected the world, but true transformation begins when we give it a soul.”
Over the past decade, Lorna has built telecom networks, developed new business models, and provided underserved communities with access to the internet—unlocking opportunities that many previously thought unattainable. She frames technology not just as infrastructure, but as a tool for empowerment that fuels education, entrepreneurship, and economic growth.
Her mission is rooted in resilience, shaped by personal and professional challenges that positioned her to disrupt a traditionally male-dominated industry. She emphasizes that connectivity is not just about access to information—it’s about unlocking human potential.
As a keynote speaker, Lorna promises to deliver insights and actionable strategies for audiences who want to understand how technology can reshape societies. Her talk centers on the intersections of innovation, resilience, and inclusivity, with a focus on how communities can move from survival to sustainable growth through access to digital resources.
She concludes her preview with excitement, expressing her eagerness to engage with audiences and share her lessons from building Sky Internet SA into a pioneering force for digital inclusion.
00:00 – Opening: “The internet has connected the world, but true transformation begins when we give it a soul.”
00:15 – Introduction: Lorna Mlonzi, founder & CEO of Sky Internet SA
00:30 – Career impact: Building networks, creating business models, and empowering communities
00:55 – Passion: Connectivity as a driver of human potential
01:15 – Keynote preview: Focus on bold innovation, resilience, and economic transformation
01:30 – Closing: Invitation to join her keynote and gain actionable strategies
A: Yes — reflection moments included.
A: Suits teams, managers, and leadership cohorts.
A: Guides available.
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