VodaPay Masterpass
Digital mobility is now a way of life and most are using smartphones to pay bills.
To meet this need Vodacom and Mastercard have launched VodaPay Masterpass, which enables Vodacom customers to load any bank card into a secure digital wallet, downloaded as an app on their smartphone. Once loaded, these cards and the secure credentials associated with them are safely stored, enabling customers to start transacting immediately without the hassle of entering card details each time they make a purchase.
Vodacom customers can buy prepaid data, airtime and SMS, or voice bundles, directly through the app. They can also select the Pay Bills menu option to settle their DStv accounts, pay a utility bill or take care of a traffic fine.
With the app’s Scan to Pay functionality, users can scan a QR code to pay for goods and services wherever Masterpass is accepted, including all SnapScan and Zapper merchants. Once a QR code is scanned, users select the card they wish to use, and enter their bank PIN number on their own device to complete the transaction.
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: A free download and users will not be charged for any transaction fees.
Stockists: Download VodaPay Masterpass for iOS here and for Android here.
Charge Running
Most running apps track data like pace and distance and, in some cases play audio designed to motivate you, but don’t give you the push you get when you run with a friend. Charge Running is an app that lets you run alongside other runners, virtually, as well as giving live coaching to help you go the distance.
The app includes features such as:
· Unlimited access to live running classes and virtual races
· The ability to compete with runners anywhere in the world in real-time
· A live leaderboard that shows where you are in the pack to keep you pushing
· Live, personalised feedback from professional trainers
· Group chats with coaches and fellow runners throughout the run
· On-demand runs for times when you can’t join the live groups
· A choice of difficulty levels and race types
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: A free seven-day trial; thereafter R150 per month
Stockists: Visit the Charge Running site here for downloading instructions.
South African App Integrator Directory
The South African App Integrator Directory from Xero is designed to solve the complexity of choosing apps for small business owners.
The directory is now available in South Africa with six partners, including Realm Digital, Radical Cloud Solutions, Nimacc, Insights, Iridium Business Solutions and Creative CFO. According to Xero, these are all organisations with a proven track record of successfully integrating marketplace apps into Xero businesses. There are also currently over 700 apps in Xero’s App Marketplace worldwide, 21 of which are South African born.
As small businesses become more tech-savvy, they need to know exactly which apps to install on their devices and how the apps will help them. They also need to be able to install these apps from a trusted integrator so they know for what they are paying.
Platform: Any device with an up-to-date Internet browser.
Expect to pay: A one month trial version is offered, after which the App Integrator ranges from R125 to R245 per month, depending on the company’s needs.
Stockists: Visit Xero here for downloading instructions.
Click here to read about uKheshe Health and LocTransie.
uKheshe Health
uKheshe, a QR cash card developed for South Africans, has recently announced a medical aid service called uKheshe Health Benefits.
uKheshe Health offers a range of enefits for individuals and families, including cover for private ground and air ambulance, private stabilisation and hospitalisation cover.
With two levels of insurance, individual cover and family cover, which covers a family of up to six members with benefits of R325 000, uKheshe Health caters to most needs at almost any income level.
uKheshe Health Benefit card holders do not need a bank account and benefits are instantly activated when a user signs up. The card offers all the features that the normal uKheshe QR card does, including added private hospital and emergency benefits for the card holder.
uKheshe Health is available in two benefit options:
- Individual at R99 per month offers unlimited emergency medical services, R25 000 trauma cover, and R300 000 private hospital cover.
- Family (main member, spouse and up to 4 direct kids) for R249 per month offers unlimited emergency medical services, R25 000 trauma cover and R300 000 private hospital cover.
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: Prices range from R99 to R249 per month
Stockists: Visit uKheshe here for downloading instructions.
LocTransie
A mad dash to the school to find a missing child when the driver wasn’t answering his phone inspired entrepreneur Tshidi Morabi to create LocTransie – an app that allows parents to track scholar transport vehicles in real time and provide SMS notifications at various points throughout the journey.
The app is designed to reduce the risk of swopping children from one transport company to an unknown third party without the parent’s knowledge. The platform also provides parents with scholar transport price comparison within the neighbourhood or district. For schools, the app allows for signing-in and signing-out of children – cutting down on the chances of a child bunking and also ensuring he or she does not go missing on the ride to school.
Many scholar transport companies don’t have websites and they will benefit from the increased visibility that will come through being listed on the in-app directory.
Platform: Android and iOS
Expect to pay: A free download.
Stockists: Visit LocTransie here for downloading instructions.