At the Palm Of your Hand technology: Teboho Twala creates a new technology, and load-shedding-friendly ZAKHAA to help customers and Small, & Micro enterprises bridge the gap with clients
Small, and Micro enterprises (SMEs) have been and remain the backbone of the South African economy. They drive economic growth by generating local jobs and boosting communities. Therefore, need incidental credit management systems that are efficient, and reliable and exist to collect payments, champion innovation, and give the customers a flexible choice in how to pay.
ZAKHAA – a new business solution, a proudly South African Fintech start-up with the main objective of providing a credit management solution (CMS) for small businesses in neglected and predominantly unbanked markets. It is a business model that will enable and ensure financial and economic inclusivity for this market segment.
Created by former street-kid turned self-made businessman and entrepreneur, Teboho Twala whose extensive years in business have offered him the ability to experience both worlds; as a customer and as a business owner. The PGDBA (Milpark Business School), Chemical Engineering (University of JHB) graduate has over 10 years as an Entrepreneur with diversified business ventures including mining, commercial property, and hospitality, and seven years of formal employment experience at the management level predominantly in mining. He is currently doing his Masters in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, at Wits Business School.
“Research shows that almost 80% of South African have and can operate a smartphone. So, anyone who can use a smartphone can easily operate the device and navigate through our app,” Twala says. “We have streamlined every creative process with both our merchants and consumers in mind to ensure their interaction with the technology as seamless as possible which will lead to increased adoption rate,” Businessman and founder, Twala adds.
In the trying times of loadshedding, businesses have struggled to stay afloat. Twala says, “The battery of one Zakhaa can last for up to 48 hours on average and it charges with USB C. It also works with most cell phone charger blocks and can be charged in the car with a USB module and 12v port. “
Having worked and run a restaurant, he would often come across challenges such as customers eating and drinking on a tab and would promise to return and pay the next day when cards are declining. “It would take a lot of phone calls from our managers before we finally get that payment,” Twala says.
“Another one would be an ice supplier who has built good relationships with managers. On a busy day, they are called to deliver emergency ice with no proper record-keeping. When it is time for them to be paid, there will often time be confusion, especially when the manager who dealt with them is off-duty. This system helps to track for the benefit of the business, the customer and the supplier.”
Bongi Sikelo 