Rinchi
TechInAfrica – MTC, a mobile telecommunication firm has collaborated with Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) to run a technology-driven project together.
The project is purposed to promote local socio-cultural, socio-economic, and inequality reduction using inclusive and sustainable national innovation system within the San community.
Based on what is said by Professor Winschiers Heike, there were at least 15 urban-based San youth who aim to create accessories and fridge magnets with augmented reality audio and video features, reflecting their cultural background and heritage and their chosen songs and scripts.
The MTC’s Sponsorship and Promotions Manager, Joseph Mundjindi commented: “It is really remarkable and commendable that the youth of the marginalized community is stepping up to practically contribute to technological innovations,” he then also added: “We learned that the San participants in the project did not own smartphones, thus cannot provide audio and video productions for their augmented reality application nor test and validate the applications in real-life settings or demonstrate the technology to fellow San in order to increase the product range or to potential clients.”
Mundjindi moreover said that the company has donated smartphones to the group as one of its step to support technology-based inventions. The smartphones donation is expected to be impactful in facilitating the process of innovation.
“A tourist market study has shown great potential, with numerous possible feature extensions for future developments, which we are exploring simultaneously. Simultaneously, a group of San has developed their own personal augmented reality accessories to enhance their well-being through the display of selected media depending on their current state,” stated Prof. Heike.
Speaking of the project, it is the first technology-driven project where indigenous (local) youth is involved in. These indigenous youth also participated in the production of marketable tech innovation.
