February 26, 2024

A South African technology entrepreneur addresses a healthcare issue

A significant turning point for technology entrepreneur Neo Hutiri, who contracted tuberculosis after leaving his corporate job, unexpectedly led to the birth of his globally acclaimed venture in the healthcare sector.
Hutiri, an electrical engineer, stands as the founder of Pelebox, which received the Royal Academy of Engineering's special medal commemorating a decade of the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation earlier this month.
His innovative concept was among the 12 selected from six countries that participated in the program over the past ten years.
Moreover, Hutiri was among the five entrepreneurs awarded in the Irish Tech Challenge South Africa, where he traveled to Dublin for a mentoring and acceleration program before presenting his business ideas to international investors last week.
Pelebox operates as a digital platform managing internet-enabled smart lockers, enabling patients to swiftly collect their repeat chronic medication without enduring long queues at public clinics.
The process mirrors an ATM post office, akin to cardless instant money transfers, where lockers containing medicine are accessed using a one-time personal identification number sent via text message.
This streamlined collection process emerged from Hutiri's personal experience battling tuberculosis in 2014, during which he observed the inefficiencies at Bophelong government clinic in Vanderbijlpark.
Enduring hours-long queues for medication collection sparked Hutiri's frustration, prompting him to contemplate innovative solutions. He envisioned a system that minimizes waiting times, benefiting both patients and healthcare facilities.
This vision prompted Hutiri to pitch his locker concept to various stakeholders, including clinic managers, district health officials, and the national department of health. Following extensive consultations, he launched his pilot project at Stanza 2 Clinic in Mamelodi in 2017.
The locally designed lockers and patented software, developed with assistance from the Trade and Innovation Agency, represent Hutiri's commitment to local innovation.
Presently, Pelebox operates 123 lockers across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and North West provinces, with expansions into Botswana and Namibia.
Looking ahead, Hutiri aims to scale his innovation's reach to impact a million people and expand locker deployments across Southern Africa, leveraging the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The Irish Tech Challenge South Africa, aimed at fostering international partnerships, offered Hutiri and other winners a platform to showcase their innovations and explore global markets.
The initiative, supported by the Technology Innovation Agency and Tshimologong, aims to empower local tech startups in addressing societal challenges and contributing to economic growth.
Other winners of the challenge include entrepreneurs Vuyo Pakade, Benedicta Durcan, and Tumelo Chiloane, each offering unique solutions with the potential to drive positive change and economic development.