Zenzeleni Community Networks is made up of community cooperatives and a non-profit company (NPC). Each has a role in providing affordable, quality and meaningful connectivity. 

Zenzeleni Cooperatives are the legal internet service providers. Cooperative members are chosen by the community and their role is to run the cooperative for the benefit of the community. The cooperatives own, govern, operate and maintain the network within their respective communities. They offer services to their community members, schools, business and other organisations, and re-invest the income back into their network and communities. Cooperatives are also responsible for supporting initiatives that help communities to use the network in a meaningful way.

Zenzeleni NPC supports communities in seeding new cooperatives – guiding and training them to design and register their business operations, services and network. It also supports existing cooperatives by administering the common network, mentoring their operations and community initiatives and offering expert support. The NPC acts as a catalyst for skills and knowledge development, focused on communities claiming the use and value of the internet within their rural contexts. 

Outside of the communities, the NPC works to foster a conducive policy environment for community networks through advocacy in South Africa, Africa and internationally. It interacts with the telecommunications sector to support cooperatives in accessing affordable, quality broadband and technology solutions. The NPC actively seeks partnerships and manages projects to strengthen cooperatives and expand Zenzeleni Community Networks.

An affordable network is possible through a number of factors. 

• Zenzeleni Community Networks is a social entrepreneurial initiative. We work to create sustainability and meaning, rather than working for profit.
• Our community helps maintain the network and keeps it safe. All hotspots and backbone nodes are hosted and cared for by trusted families and individuals. 
• Common assets and services are shared and aggregated to bring down costs. 
• We keep learning and improving. We are connected with community networks around the world and partners which allow us to keep improving through solidarity. 
• In seeding cooperatives,  we access donor start-up capital, so that communities that have no other income do not take the weight of start up repayments. 
• New activities are introduced either through peer learning, volunteer work or through project grants.