Harvey Kadyanji, The Young Innovator from Tanzania. We Need Him For Inclusive Design In Our Inclusive Nation

Two Waterford techies have emerged among the winners in a worldwide contest for young innovators.

Harvey Kadyanji (Tanzania) and Timothy McDermott (Australia/Swaziland) created a language application called SiSwApp, which has earned them a US$5000 grant and the chance to travel to Thailand.

Harvey and Tim entered the 2013 International Telecommunications Union (ITU) World Young Innovators Competition after seeing it advertised in a Swazi newspaper earlier this year. 

The judges were looking for talented young social entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 26 who could provide ICT-based solutions to developmental challenges.   

Over 600 applicants from 88 countries applied. In July 2013, Harvey and Tim were told that they had made it into the top 15 semifinalists. They then had to submit a 5000-word business proposal and emerged among the top 10 winners.

In mid-November 2013 they will travel to Bangkok, where they will showcase their idea and engage with mentors, leaders in the technology field and other young innovators. They will also collect their prize money, which will be used to develop their project.

Harvey Kadyanji, Principal Stephen Lowry and Tim McDermott

SiSwApp is a smartphone app which is aimed primarily at iOS and Android mobile platforms. It promises to help users by offering contemporary features such as a translator (English to SiSwati and vice versa) with an integrated audio database. Other features include a comprehensive learning tool with topics and themes specific to Swazi culture; links to tourist hotspots in Swaziland and an advertisement platform for local entrepreneurs.

Harvey and Tim’s achievement was announced at a recent Assembly at Waterford. The two students spoke about the app’s functionality and thanked staff members Ms Lisa Mbuli, Mr John Storer, Mr Martin Mwenda and Mr Polycarp Wekesa for their guidance.

Harvey and Tim hope to progress from concept to startup soon and to launch the application in February 2014.

Source: http://www.waterford.sz/News-and-Events/674-Waterford-Techies-Wow-Judges