South Africa as a nation has plenty of challenges to overcome, and a couple of the most pressing are healthcare and our power supply. To help solve these, local innovators have been developing ground-breaking solutions, some of which have had a global impact. We explore some noteworthy tech innovation, showcasing Mzansi’s potential as a hub for technological advancement.
Health tech
The South African healthcare sector faces barriers that often prevent people from getting the treatment they need. But local tech companies have been pushing some innovative solutions, such as:
This award-winning startup has developed many hearing-based tech solutions, one of which is a smartphone-based hearing assessment. The mobile app, called HearScreen, allows healthcare professionals to perform efficient and cost-effective hearing screenings. The product is aimed at practitioners who want to provide an accessible service, and HearX also offers an online test component for use on websites.
Plenty of people own wearable tech, but not many know what to do with the information collected. LifeQ focuses on health data analytics through wearable sensor technology. It provides solutions that use the data collected by smartwatches to create personalised health insights to help you make informed decisions about your wellbeing. LifeQ has collaborated with major tech companies like Xiaomi, Samsung and TomTom to align the service with their products.
This service, which began as a joint venture between emergency service provider ER24 and Vodacom, was initially provided via voice calls only. But it has evolved to become an effective mobile app for people with hearing impairment, who can now get help in an emergency. The app is available on Android and Apple and has a quick, easy, and user-friendly interface.
Renewable energy
We all know about loadshedding, so it makes sense that local tech innovators have prioritised alternative energy solutions. Here are some of them:
SolarTurtle specialises in creating renewable energy solutions for small business vendors. Some products include the Off-Grid Container, a shipping container that uses solar energy for power, allowing a small business to run from one of these containers. Another alternative is the SolarTurtle Mini, a smaller hub also using solar power to provide energy for the kiosk.
Then there’s a portable power supply called The SolarTurtle Trolley, which lets users set up anywhere with a reliable power supply. These are all equipped with solar panels and batteries and provide off-grid energy solutions for remote and under-served communities – while also promoting the use of clean energy.
The item in your home that uses the most household electricity is the water geyser. PowerOptimal is a company that develops low-cost, energy-efficient smart grid solutions for water heating.
One of these solutions is the Elon 100 Solar PV water heating solution. It’s a solar-powered module that connects directly to a regular geyser, moving it off the grid to create a cost-effective system that saves you money and has minimal impact on the environment.
Financial technology (fintech)
In South Africa, not all businesses are run from offices and brick-and-mortar shops. To accommodate unique businesses like spaza shops and fruit vendors, local tech innovators have come up with some convenient solutions, especially for how businesses receive payments. Fintech is rapidly transforming the financial landscape in South Africa, providing innovative solutions for financial inclusion, access and security.:
Yoco offers card payment solutions for small businesses, enabling them to accept card payments through mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) devices. These range from a simple buttoned machine to advanced touch-screen models that also accept tap and cardless payments.
Cryptocurrency has gradually regained public trust and is once again being seen as a viable investment option. Through Luno, cryptocurrency owners can buy, sell, and store their digital currencies easily and securely. The user-friendly interface has made the company a leading player in the global crypto market as well.
Agritech
Agriculture is a major part of South Africa’s economy and the sector has benefited hugely from tech innovations that enhance productivity and sustainability, such as:
FarmRanger is a company that specialises in livestock security. It’s created security collars that link to a smartphone app, allowing farmers to track the movement of livestock. These collars also provide security, triggering an alarm whenever a suspected theft or predator attack is imminent. They do this by tracking the movement of the herd, and alerting the farmer to any abnormal movement via the mobile app. Available on Android and Apple.
Khula has a digital solution for you, whether you’re a farmer, buyer or investor. One of its notable tools is a marketplace that connects farmers and buyers through a smartphone app. Besides connecting farmers directly with buyers, which takes out the middlemen, it links them to suppliers of seed, fertilizers, chemicals, and more. Similar solutions exist for buyers and investors.
Vodacom Driving IoT
One of the single biggest tech advancements in homes and businesses is the Internet of Things (IoT). Vodacom is one of the leading tech companies pushing boundaries on this front with reliable fibre, LTE and 5G products. Vodacom also provides smart home solutions as well as options for businesses.
