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What if Pokémon Go could help solve real-world challenges in African communities?

A South African startup is mapping real businesses and changing lives in South African townships.

AI startup Timbuk2 has created something special: a project that turns everyday township residents into data collectors who earn real money while putting their communities on the digital map.

Instead of chasing virtual creatures like Pokémon Go, young people and local residents are hitting the streets to find and document the countless small businesses that keep township economies alive – from corner shops to hair salons to car washes. Using just their phones, these “data agents” capture photos, chat with owners, and share business details through Timbuk2’s dashboard.

Every successful submission puts cash in their pockets. It’s like a treasure hunt with a serious purpose – finally documenting South Africa’s massive informal economy so it can better support the millions who depend on it.

Data collectors recently walked the streets of Tlhabane, Rustenburg, and discovered that 79% of spaza shops were unknown—invisible to platforms like Google Maps and unlikely to be noticed by food distributors wanting to expand their networks.

“These businesses are the backbone of township life, but officially, they barely exist on paper,” explains Timbuk2’s founder. “We’re changing that by making mapping fun, social, and worthwhile for the people who know these communities best.”

The impact goes way beyond just creating a better map. This data helps everyone from government planners to business owners make smarter decisions that benefit local communities. Plus, it’s creating legitimate earning opportunities for township youth while building a first-ever comprehensive picture of South Africa’s grassroots economy.

An interesting discovery during the data collection is that there are 3 water purification areas located in Tlhabane, which speaks to the community’s need for clean water.

Timbuk2’s dashboard keeps users engaged with challenges, rewards, and friendly competition. But participants aren’t just collecting dry data – they’re sharing the real stories of local entrepreneurs and bringing township business culture to life.

By 2026, Timbuk2 wants to expand this model across Africa. As their founder puts it: “We’re not just drawing a map – we’re empowering communities to showcase their economic strength and potential. This is ekasi telling its own story, in its own words.”

For media enquiries, interviews, or to follow the Timbuk2 journey, please contact:
Matimba Nkuna
CEO of Timbuk2
mjnkuna@timbuk2.ai
Website: https://www.timbuk2.ai

According to the Daily Maverick, South Africa experienced an unexpected return to Stage 6 load shedding over the weekend due to multiple unit failures at Majuba, Camden, and Medupi power stations, leading to a significant loss in generation capacity. Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa assured the public that the government is addressing the crisis and aims to eliminate load shedding as a structural issue. The outages come shortly after Eskom celebrated 300 consecutive days without load shedding, sparking public frustration and speculation that the power cuts were linked to the 12.7% tariff increase approval, significantly lower than Eskom’s requested 36% hike. Eskom CEO Dan Marokane attributed the crisis to technical failures, including a transformer overload at Majuba, but emphasized that recovery efforts were underway, with several units already returning to service. Meanwhile, social media allegations suggested Eskom’s diesel supply was cut due to non-payment, which the utility denied. Despite setbacks, officials remain optimistic about restoring stability by the end of the week.

According to Times Live, the proposed increase in VAT from 15% to 17% in South Africa could result in a R44 rise in VAT on a basic food basket, raising concerns about the financial strain on low-income households. Despite plans to expand the zero-rated food basket to include more protein, essential items like infant formula remain excluded, impacting families relying on child support grants. The budget speech was postponed to March 12 due to disagreements within the government, allowing for further public debate on the tax hike. Experts argue that zero-rating more food items does not fully protect the poor, as they still need to afford other essentials like electricity and school expenses. Additionally, potential price increases and administrative challenges could undermine the benefits of zero-rating. The Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity group warns that the VAT hike would disproportionately affect the most vulnerable, leaving them with minimal financial relief despite proposed social grant increases.

According to EWN, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has stated that he cannot allocate a budget for the National Health Insurance (NHI) until Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi provides a clear cost estimate. He emphasized the need for substantial improvements to healthcare facilities before NHI can be implemented, as many hospitals currently do not meet the necessary standards. The NHI has become a contentious issue, with conflicting political perspectives on its feasibility and funding. Godongwana highlighted that previous cost estimates were speculative and that the government must first assess the full financial requirements. His proposed budget includes a plan to accelerate hospital upgrades and infrastructure development, with increased funding windows to support healthcare workers and improve services. However, his inability to table the budget due to a VAT-related impasse with Government of National Unity (GNU) partners has further complicated the issue.

Retailer Pick n Pay is facing backlash after featuring American rapper Rick Ross in its latest advertisement while reportedly closing 32 supermarkets across South Africa, Times Live reports. The ad, which also includes comedian Schalk Bezuidenhout and features DJ Khaled’s hit song All I Do Is Win, has sparked criticism for its lack of local representation. Many social media users argue that the retailer should have chosen a South African artist who resonates more with the brand’s audience. Others question the decision to hire an international celebrity at a time when the company is shutting down stores, potentially affecting jobs. Podcaster Penuel Mlotshwa criticized the move, stating that the campaign lacks brand alignment and that overseas celebrities should only be used if they sell products in the country. Similarly, Facebook users expressed frustration, with some suggesting that Pick n Pay could have used amapiano artists for a more relevant and cost-effective campaign. The controversy has led to wider discussions about corporate spending, brand authenticity, and consumer expectations in local marketing.

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Pick n Pay’s Controversial Ad – The retailer faces backlash for featuring US rapper Rick Ross in its latest campaign. Source: Times Live, Pick ‘n Pay video ad credit: Pick ‘n Pay Instagram. #news #tiktoksouthafrica

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the Expropriation Bill into law, allowing for the expropriation of land with nil compensation under specific conditions in the public interest, reports News24. The law aims to align expropriation legislation with Section 25 of the Constitution, which permits property acquisition for public purposes with just and equitable compensation. The bill underwent five years of public consultation and parliamentary deliberation. It replaces the outdated Expropriation Act of 1975. While supported as a tool for land reform and redress, it faced opposition from political parties like the DA, IFP, and FF Plus.

According to Times Live, Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube assured South Africans that the integrity of the 2024 matric results remains intact despite a potential breach. Reports surfaced that a company, Edumarks, was selling matric results for R99.90, raising concerns about how the data was acquired and the accuracy of the results. Some individuals claimed they paid but could not access the results. The Hawks and state security are investigating the breach, which is suspected to have occurred during the final stages of result verification. Gwarube emphasized the department’s commitment to ensuring secure systems and promised accountability if the breach originated internally. She condemned the exploitation of pupils and parents by platforms profiting from the leak.

According to Times Live, a police sergeant in Pretoria faces scrutiny for allegedly failing to charge a woman suspected of public drinking after a video went viral showing her resisting arrest. The woman, claiming to be an international lawyer, argued with the officer at the police station, questioning her arrest. Despite the offense of drinking in her vehicle, the sergeant didn’t follow detention protocols or file charges, leading to the suspect’s release. This has sparked a public debate, with some criticizing the suspect’s behavior and others questioning the officer’s handling of the situation. The sergeant has been reassigned to administrative duties while under investigation.

As we approach the end of another year, New Year’s celebrations remind us of the joy of fresh beginnings and cherished traditions. Whether you’re planning a lively party with loved ones, a peaceful evening at home, or an adventurous escape, the spirit of hope and renewal unites us all.

Thank you for being an essential part of our journey in 2024. Your support and engagement have made this year truly special, and we can’t wait to step into 2025 with you. Cheers to a wonderful New Year! 🥂🎆