Apps created by South Africans, for South Africans

Smartphone applications have changed the way we live our lives in recent years, enhancing simplicity and convenience for users.

No longer the domain of developers in other parts of the world, South Africans entrepreneurs have chipped in on the hype, developing apps aimed specifically at the local market.

Here are some South African success stories in the world of apps.

Gradesmatch

Three South Africans won a R3.5m grant from Google after creating a careers app called Gradesmatch to help learners plan and apply for tertiary education.

According to the Daily Dispatch, the app has assisted 84,900 pupils from disadvantaged schools in  Southern Africa.

Started by Unathi September, Rudzani Mulaudzi and Lebo Diale, the app allows pupils to enter their marks and then matches them with suitable tertiary institutions.

Khwela App

Created by Sikhona Khumalo, the Khwela app aims to bridge the gap between commuters and drivers. The app provides commuters with information on where to catch taxis to their destination, as well as a platform to express their grievances.

The Slide App

Created by Alon Stern, Irshad Kathrada and Terence Goldberg, the Slide app allows users to send money to people on their phone contact list, using only the email address or phone number of the recipient.

Users can send up to R5,000 at a time. 

Mowash 

Midrand resident Khaya Dladla created an app that allows consumers to book a car wash at their convenience and avoid the long weekend queues.

According to Sowetan, the Mowash app was created for customers to schedule a car wash with Dladla or other associated businesses.

Dladla left his job in automation engineering to start up the app, which has now spread from Gauteng to Durban. 

MyBru

MyBru is a lifestyle app created as a bridge between consumers and businesses. It gives users access to specials in food, retail, drinks and entertainment.

Created by Kalvin Sutherland and Reece Meyer, the app allows users to take advantage of specials offered by the brands that MyBru collaborates with.

Taxi Cab SA 

Founded by 24-year-old Koketso Matjila, Taxi Cab SA is an app developed to serve as an interactive taxi rank directory in South Africa, mainly covering Gauteng and the Western Cape.

Matjila told SebenzaLIVE he created the app due to the inconvenience and safety issues that come with not knowing where to find taxis.