Each year hundreds of apps are launched globally. But some apps are specific to a country alone. This means that they are useful apps for the people of that country. Here are some of such incredibly and useful apps for South Africans, and usually by South Africans too. These seven apps are the bese apps in South Africa to download now.
Best Apps in South Africa
1. Lockdown Bozza
At the time of COVID this app is very useful and a must for South Africans to download on their Android and iOS iPhone. You will get all the information about where the lockdown is there and where there are less restrictions on movement. What shops and malls are open and which still are under red zone. The app’s tagline is “I am the Lockdown Bozza (Boss). I will tell you what you can and cannot do during the lockdown period.”
Lockdown Bozza receives its information from government sources so you can be sure that its rules are all officially sanctioned. It is a very easy app to navigate, and you can switch from different provinces and areas to track the correct level of lockdown that applies to you.
The activities you wish to have lockdown eased on soonest can be favourited and when these activities are allowed again, the app will notify you.
2. 22Seven
Saving money is the need of the hour and this app guides you to budget your money. You can easiy track your expenses effortlessly and efficiently. The app is available to everyone, so you don’t have to be a client to use it. 22Seven comes as a highly rated budgeting app because it connects directly to your accounts, cards and the like. What this means is that you won’t have to manually add your earnings or expenditure, the app will do it for you.
This app is all secure to use and the app is partnered with over 100 financial institutions. Using the app, you can include what your budget is used for, from clothing to rent or data purchases each month. Also by placing a limit, the app will alert you when you’re over budget. The app is simple and easy to use and aims to help people budget effectively right from their mobile device.
3. SnapScan
In 2013, SnapScan launched one of the first mobile payment apps in South Africa. By combining ingenuity with Standard Bank’s impressive financial infrastructure and expertise, SnapScan has been changing the way South Africans pay and get paid – one snap at a time.
This app is best for online transactions as it works as a QR code payment app. SnapScan is connected to a multitude of organisations within South Africa to offer their users ease of payment. Companies such as mobile operators and government entities like Eskom are connected to the app.
SnapScan allows users to seamlessly use the app to buy airtime, electricity, pay parking guards and pay your bills. The app also allows users to send money to friends and family who also have the app so they can spend it with a SnapScan merchant or in the app itself.
4. Namola
South Africa can be unsafe place many a time and this is why apps like Namola have come into being. This is a safety and security app that helps users get into contact with emergency services faster. The app has a clear panic button which alerts the Namola response centre who then call you back to find out what the concern is. Once they know what you need, they alert the relevant emergency services.
The Namola Track feature gives users and their loved one’s peace of mind to see their location at all times, or at certain times of the day. Namola operators can not track the locations of their users, unless the user has requested assistance through the Namola App. You can add contacts who also have the app and you can choose how often, or when, you would like to track them.
Namola’s basic features are free for all users, and it also offers an additional bevvy of options for users who pay the R39 per month subscription, including private ambulance and armed response services.
5. Mr D Food
Mr D Food is the best app for South Africans and is like the local version of Uber Eats. While not as streamlined as the Uber Eats app, it is still robust enough in its UI to allow users to quickly order and pay for food. The app has also introduced a tracking feature so you can see where your driver is at all times. Users are enticed with promotional deals and free delivery. It’s an easy payment process with EFT, card and cash option.
This app has been downloaded by over 2 million South Africans. Download the app to get popular SA restaurants and groceries delivered to your doorstep. Order all of your delicious favourites, from Burgers to Poke Bowls, from Chisanyama to Salads, from Mexican to Mogudu and from Sushi to Smoothies and even deliver alcohol too
From famous chains to local gems, Mr D Food boasts a selection unlike any other with more than 5000 local and national South African restaurants on the app.
6. Bottles
If you love drinks and want a booze anytime right at your doorstep, then download Bottles. It is sort of like a Mr D for alcohol, Bottles will see your home boozed within 20 to 60 minutes of ordering. Since the lockdown dropped the ban on liquor yet imposed limited trading hours, this would be an option for those who just don’t have the time to head to a bottle store at the end of the day. Bottles has expanded in partnership with Pick ‘n Pay to include groceries. This is a great addition as you can now order your groceries and alcohol all in one go.
7. EskomSePush
EskomSePush is a load-shedding tracker that will notify you of changes in load shedding schedules or reminders of load-shedding events tailored to your area.
Get load shedding push notifications and predictions from over 50 000 areas, including City of Cape Town, City of Polokwane, City of Tshwane, Direct Eskom Customers, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, Ethekwini Municipality, JHB City Power, Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Mbombela Municipality, Lesedi Local Municipality, Msunduzi Municipality, Umhlathuze Municipality, eMalahleni Municipality, Emfuleni Local Municipality and Sol Plaatje Local Municipality.
It also gives users a forecast for load shedding over an entire week, so you know what to expect and plan accordingly. The app sheds minutes off of your day spent looking at City Power spreadsheets desperately looking for your ward.
There are many other useful apps to download which are available at app stores as well.
