Setting up Dashboard/connection
If you haven't got MTN software, the Vodafone Dashboard works perfectly well with MTN -- or at least version 7.x does, can't testify to version 9.x (version 8.x appears to have been reserved for inbuilt Dell connectivity only, as far as I can gather). (Also works perfectly with Virgin Mobile if you want really cheap data, by the by).
You can download the Vodafone Dashboard from the Vodacom site (
http://www.vodacom.co.za/services/3g/downloads.jsp last time I checked) but beware it's a large download -- some 60 MB if I recall. If that's too big for you, a friendly Vodacom dealer may just be persuaded to lend you the CD or make you a copy.
Once you have the software it should walk you through setting up the connection without any difficulty, even using an MTN SIM. It's unlikely you will need to add any extra configuration following the automated procedure -- but if you do, just ask and I or another forum member can provide the manual settings, which are also in the sticky FAQ at the top of the forum list. The software should work for either a phone-as-modem or a datacard. Good luck!