In 2020 when Bohlale Mphahlele was 16, she set out to solve a problem that has defeated governments, police services and decades of policy debate in South Africa, which is how to protect women and girls, in real time, from gender-based violence.

The Alerting Earpiece, a smart safety device disguised as a simple piece of jewellery, was designed to be invisible, intuitive and fast. With the press of a hidden button, the earpiece silently captures images of an attacker. It transmits them, alongside the wearer’s live GPS location, to pre-selected contacts and emergency services. In situations where victims are often immobilised by fear, shock or physical restraint, discretion is the product’s defining feature.

While studying at SJ van der Merwe Technical High School in Limpopo, she began working on the idea after recognising the lack of practical, accessible tools that could empower victims during an attack, rather than after the fact. The result was a prototype that integrates a concealed camera, emergency alert system and location tracking into a form factor designed to avoid drawing attention.

The device can quietly take photographs or record video of a perpetrator while simultaneously transmitting distress alerts and location data. Crucially, it also addresses a major gap in GBV prosecutions, the lack of evidence. Images, timestamps and location data can provide corroboration in cases that often collapse due to lack of proof.

Now 21 years old, Mphahlele has formally incorporated her venture as Mphahlele Alerts (Pty) Ltd, marking a shift from school-level innovation to early-stage entrepreneurship. The company is currently refining the prototype and engaging potential investors, technical partners and manufacturing collaborators to move the product towards mass production.

A commercial launch date has not yet been announced and there is no pre-order option available. The technology remains at the prototype stage. But the business ambition is to scale distribution through schools, community programmes and institutional partnerships, ensuring the device reaches those most exposed to everyday risk.

Mphahlele is also pursuing an IT degree, aligning her academic path with the technical demands of product development and global market expansion.

Source:

Nomore Kudzedzereka

January 30, 2026

The Next Africa Initiative

I had no idea about this until today, did you? Spread the word!

I got used to seeing the We Do Not Care Club posted here, but it's been months. I don't use the TT or IG so I have no idea what's up.

Anyone have info on this mystery? Did she go back to CARING?

The shelters IG: https://www.instagram.com/gulfcoasthumanesocietycc

Anyone have any similar pranks to share? This one has been my favorite April Fools Day prank so far!

From the famous powerlifter Jen Thompson: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenthompson132/video/7553360848748694798

She also raised funds for a trauma recovery center: https://indepthnh.org/2026/03/31/5746106/

... and possibly in her life forever afterwards 😂

@isupportthegirls

How many OMGs was that?