AN eThekwini startup, Pista Ventures, has developed a WhatsApp based civic messaging tool to empower and connect communities with evidence-based and fact-checked Covid-19 updates.
“Access to information and creating a civic tool that has factual and shareable content can assist flatten the curve. This can be achieved by using simple, accessible tools with frictionless uptake, this comes in the form of WhatsApp,” explained Nkululeko Mthembu, Progress in Science, Technology and Arts (PISTA) founder and chief executive.
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COTU not only helps people communicate and coordinate in their communities, it also distances fake news produced by unsolicited sources and sends geo-targeted and factual updates at ward and district levels.
It tracks progress of relief interventions and gets citizen feedback to inform proper resource allocation.
“While there are many other messaging and updates tools, some featuring councillors and civil society groups, COTU’s value rests in its data-driven granular insights by aggregating all 140 neighborhoods in eThekwini, 10 KwaZulu-Natal districts and using technology to make informed models for relief efforts,” said Mthembu
It is currently being used by the Durban Chamber to share their daily Business Advisory newsletter which has been supported by eThekwini Mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda; MEC of EDTEA, Ms Nomusa Dube-Ncube and DCCI President, Mr Nigel Ward.
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These updates include: EDTEA news, eThekwini Municipality news, Government updates, links to various business support programmes, sector-specific support, CSR initiatives and updates on government regulations and guidelines.
“While the government makes every effort to communicate with its citizens, not all information reaches the ordinary person on the street in the best way. Through COTU we hope to make information more accessible in the palm of the hand. We are building artificial intelligence into the tool where we will be able to identify how citizens engage with information through these WhatsApp groups, geo-target certain information to specific neighbourhoods at ward-level, understand preferred mediums, run polls and surveys, and get more citizen feedback. Through natural language programming and big data we will understand trends that can assist various departments in government and organisations with their work. All empowered through technology.”
COTU has also embedded Stay Safe! – a USSD service *134*532*911# – on the website, a project led by Deborah Ewing, Director at the Alliance of Francaise of Durban.
This service has been translated in 12 languages for those without smartphones providing greater access.
Join your neighbourhood group through the website: www.cotu.co.za
*Notice: Coronavirus reporting at Caxton Local Media aims to combat fake news
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