SMS isn't going anywhere in South Africa. While everyone talks about WhatsApp and social media, SMS quietly delivers results that other channels can't match. Here's what you need to know about SMS in South Africa - from why it works to how to use it effectively. Why SMS Dominates in South Africa Mobile penetration is massive.  South Africa has over 100 million active SIM connections across a population of 60 million. That means many people have multiple SIM cards or devices.