We got to attend the awesome launch of Mviyo Technologies in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe on November 24th! It was super cool to see this company being born! Which is surely going to change things big time in Matabeleland and the whole country. We were thrilled to be there as part of the Afrluencer team!
Venue
The event took place at the prestigious Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre. And let me tell you, it was a sight to behold! The venue was buzzing with excitement and anticipation! As people from all walks of life eagerly awaited the unveiling of Mviyo Technologies’ groundbreaking innovations!
Mviyo Technologies is set to redefine the tech landscape in Zimbabwe. We had the chance to witness firsthand how their cutting-edge products will transform industries. And also improve the lives of countless people. Mviyo Technologies showcased their innovative solutions, leaving us in awe of their creativity and determination to make a positive impact.
The Founder
Mviyo Technologies is a dynamic tech company that is committed to solving local challenges. The company was founded by Jacqueline (Jackie) Nkata, a visionary entrepreneur who has a passion for Computer Science, based in the UK. During the launch of her company, Mviyo Tech, Jackie proudly revealed that she had grown up in Nkulumane Suburb, a testament to her deep connection to the local community. With Jackie’s leadership, Mviyo Technologies is poised to make a significant impact and drive innovation in the tech industry.
In her presentation, Jackie, said that the name Mviyo was Inspired by the indigenous fruit umviyo, this brown, sweet, and sour delicacy symbolizes adaptability. Just like the fruit, Mviyo technology aims to overcome limitations and provide solutions to local challenges, transforming Bulawayo into Zimbabwe’s Silicon Valley, and taking the nation’s tech industry to new heights!
Gap in programming field for young girls
Jackie is driven by a strong passion for education and computer science. She is committed to working with non-governmental organizations to help fund those who cannot afford to study. She has noticed a gap in the computer science field for young girls. And is determined to change the status quo. Backed up by a lecture at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST). Jackie believes that every young girl should be encouraged to pursue computer science. Partnerships with NGOs, introducing programming at primary schools, and empowering young girls. She aims to make a positive impact on the lives of those who have been overlooked in the past.
The Chief IT Officer, Mr. Mandla Nkiwane, confidently revealed during his speech that Mviyo Tech has successfully collaborated with a multitude of companies, although he could not divulge any names due to confidentiality agreements. He proudly showcased Mviyo Tech’s expertise in catering to an array of sectors including business and education, with a portfolio of services that span from employee payroll to retail and website development, to ticketing systems.
Employee Tracker
During a presentation, I was surprised to hear about a program designed by Mviyo that could track employees. I found it amusing and made a note of it. As an employee, I take my work seriously, but the idea of Mviyo designing a program to track sounded ridiculous! However, I was concerned about the invasion of privacy and decided to inquire further about the app. As an employee, I imagined a scenario where a chip was inserted in my body. And my every move was monitored by my employer together with the Mviyo team. This seemed unethical unless I’m secretly a cow. This is not acceptable for human beings unless in the case of a kidnapping. Such monitoring is suitable for livestock, not employees. Mviyo also offered a similar service for farmers to monitor their livestock’s location, food, and potential diseases.
At that point, I had a lot of questions, and Nkiwane clarified everything for me. He assured me that no one would be required to have a chip implanted in their flesh. This program was designed to operate only during work hours. He cleared up all the confusion and doubts I had. Nkiwane gave me an example of how the system would work, explaining that employees would get paid even if they didn’t show up for work for days. The system would verify if an employee came to work and would also verify that no one else signed them in during their absence.
The system is designed to track your location and work schedule, to identify any instances of slacking during work hours. Mind you, this information will be collected during work hours only. My only hope is that this system won’t try to be TikTok two point 0. (TikTok 2.0) And start collecting data from our phones, exploiting our information. Just like the when Tik Tok creators were caught trying to hack Google [read more].
Mviyo Tech’s services span across various sectors, serving both businesses and educational institutions. From employee pay sheets to retail systems, they’ve got you covered. Not to mention their expertise in website development and other software solutions!
The Ticket System by Mviyo Technologies
Mr Nkiwane also showcased Mviyo tech’s ticketing system which was a game-changer, enhancing customer satisfaction and ensuring efficient operations. They had designed the ticket system, that we had used to RSVP, it was simple, and no internet connection was needed. All you had to do was click the link, which directed you to a form where you entered your details, and after that, a QR code was generated. All they had to do was scan the code and your name appeared on the guestlist! Technology, as the Afrluencer team, Jackie, Thembi, and Candice, we had a few challenges with the new system as it took us quite some time to figure it out, only to realize that no data was needed! It didn’t matter whether you downloaded your ticket or kept it digital.
Conclusion
After attending the launch, I can confidently say that it was a successful event. Before the event started, I had no idea what Mviyo was. I had assumed it was a sour fruit juice product launch due to its interesting name, “umviyo.” I did not consider the green logo colour, which hints at technology, nature, and eco-friendliness. It was only after the launch that I realized my mistake. The attendees shed light on Mviyo’s objectives, dreams, and future plans. Overall, it turned out to be an informative and interesting event.
I was so hyped for the event. I joked with my friends that I wouldn’t show up if there was no food. But let’s be real, I was already there! As soon as the event was about to start, my stomach was growling, and I was ready to chow down. I’d give the food a solid four stars. But the samosas weren’t my favourite since they had too many veggies in them. The drinks were “okay,” prepared by Chef John from the reality show Being Brayden.
As the ceremony came to a close, all the guests were given gift bags. Assuming everyone received the same bag. I found that mine contained a 2024 planner branded, a pen, and a power bank from Olesson. With a capacity of 10,000 milliampere-hours (mAh)!
