The SAFIPA PMO recently had a visit from Matsebe Phasha and Nakampe Shai who have developed the MoveeCom™ Mobile communication system. This is a fully portable communications system that has been designed specifically for deep rural areas and under-serviced urban areas.
The MoveeCom™ Mobile communication system is an innovation communication unit concept founded by social entrepreneurs who are seeking to contribute towards narrowing the Digital Divide by providing access to I T resources to under-serviced communities, and enable communities to have access to technology and information in order to engage with other sectors of society and contribute to their economic well being.
The MoveeCom solution
The design and construction took approximately eight months to complete and consists of a fully enclosed unit with two fixed monitors, two keyboards, four in one scanner, printer, fax and copier and the system is is driven by a generator. The complete unit is transported on a trike, powered by a motor. The team paid a lot of attention to the design and sourcing of durable components which could weather extreme environments and able to be used on a rugged terrain.
Some of the problems perpetuating Digital Divide in South Africa are:
- Unavailability of access infrastructure;
- High Rate of illiteracy and minimum opportunities for exposure; and
- Affordability of IT services.
The mission of the South African government is to promote democratic participation, accountability and empowered citizens who can contribute towards their own socio-economic improvement. This particular technology solution could be one in a portfolio of innovative products and services that can contribute towards this national goal. The challenge is not only to provide universal access to information and to close the gap between the information-rich and information-poor, but also to increase the quality and
usefulness of information that is made available to the society at large; and the Internet is such a tool with vast depositories of information.
The goals to get South Africans connected
In South Africa specifically; majority of ICT public access facilities only offer payphones. There is a lack of other communication media such as access to the internet. MoveeCom™ Mobile communication system is a project that will contribute toward minimizing Digital Divide and exclusion. Currently the team is working on testing the prototype amongst different users to gain data in order to streamline their prototype, enhance the user experience, explore different cost models for provision of IT services and develop a strategy for sponsorship of units before they can commence the next phase of scaling up production.
For more information please contact Matsebe Phasha via email at matsebe@moveecom.com
This is the final edition of the SAFIPA newsletter. The month of November 2011, marks the conclusion of this dynamic initiative.
