8. Aweza
What’s this app?
A language app that translates all 11 official South African languages in order to help South Africans communicate with each other, and foreign visitors, while moving around the country.
The whizz behind this app
Founder of Aweza, Glenn Stein found the language barrier challenging while traveling throughout rural beautiful South Africa. He says: “I have had many first-hand experiences with language barriers that are consequential of a nation with 11 official languages.”
“I have always wondered about the socioeconomic impact that such language barriers could have in South Africa, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, where effective communication can mean the difference between life and death.
“I started to conceptualise a way to leverage the fast growing influence of mobile technology to build a tool that could function as a step in the right direction.”
What makes it so unique?
South Africa has 11 official languages, which makes it challenging for individuals to communicate freely. Now, South Africans can easily communicate with each other and visitors to the country using this app.
“Aweza is an initiative to leverage mobile and internet technology, to break down language barriers in South Africa, which currently takes the form of a phrase translation app for smartphones. The ‘new’ South Africa is still young and we strongly believe that breaking down communication barriers is a significantly important step to take in ensuring our growth as a nation,” believes Stein
Download from Apple App Store and Google Play Store