Memeza Home Community ALARM (MHCA) Interview
The MHCA is the first public alarm system in South Africa and it was designed to be a bridging the gap between the household under attack by criminals or intruders and the Sector Policing. Read this interview to learn more about MHCA.
What does Memeza home COMMUNITY ALARM do?
The MHCA is the first public alarm system in South Africa.
The MHCA is a simple, accessible, affordable, portable alarm system for low income earners and house-holds using Community and Visibility Policing Support.
It is designed to operate in conjunction with the SAPS Visibility Policing and the community at large, the system is an industrial innovation achieved by reconfiguring and integrating diverse technologies, with the objective of making security features available to a market that has never had access to them before, in a country labeled as the murder capital of the world.
The MHCA bridges the gap between the household under attack by criminals/intruders and the Sector Policing by:
Alerting the neighbours, street patrollers and Sector Police through sound and cell phonealertmessages, and at the same time:
Disable and scare away the criminals, on activation MeMeZa produces a piercing distinct siren sound. The sound plays a very important role, Scare and Communicate to Neighbourhood.
The MHCA will work both when the people are in the house or away.
“By 2030, people living in South Africa should have no fear of crime. Women, children and those who are vulnerable should feel protected.” This is an extract from the National Development Plan, whose values and goals on Safety the MHCA concept is built upon.
What motivated you to develop it?
I have been a victim of crime countless times, both in the house and on the streets; in April 2012 my younger sister was brutally attacked and robbed of everything she owned in her house in Tembisa, a low income township, her husband was stabbed and left for dead in a pool of blood in front of the children, who are still traumatized up to today. Since then I have vowed to give all my time to fighting and eradicating crime in South Africa. It was at that moment when I realized that South Africa needs a public and community based alarm system that everyone can afford.
Who can use Memeza home community Alarm? And where can we use it?
Anyone can use the MHCA in the house to safeguard themselves and their families against intrusions. It is also mobile, you can move with it when you move house.
Does one need to replace it by buying another? How long does it last?
You only buy it once. It is made to last, and has a warrant, you can use it for up to 10 years. It also works in the rural areas where there is no electricity.
How can one get it? And how much is it?
It will be available in the market by February 2014, it will be available through cell phone shops and retailers. The price is less that R900 once off
How do you define innovation?
For me innovation is the coming up of and implementation of an idea that will improve people’s lives or eradicate / solve a persistent problem in a community.
Why is innovation so important?
It changes the status quo. It’s only through innovation and a mind shift that we can solve a lot of the social ills that impact our society today. Innovation is a vehicle for change, positive change.
How did you spot this opportunity for innovation?
When my young sister had no way to scare the criminals away and call the police or neighborhood watch during her attack, I realized there was a huge gap for a low cost, accessible and public supported alarm system.
At the SAB Foundation’s Social Innovation Awards in 2012 Memeza home community Alarm came at fourth place, what did you learn from the whole experience?
It was the first affirmation outside of the Tembisa community that there is a gap for a community based system that will bring everyone together to eradicate crime from communities. It also gave me strength and will power to leave my job, have faith in God that implementing this concept is possible and achievable, that people are tired of crime, that one day we can be safe in our homes.
What does Memeza Personal Safety Alarm do?
It is meant to be your voice, to help you shout for help, outside of the house.
It is a trendy looking, colorful Alarm key ring / torch, operated by a separate pull pin Alarm cord.
If one is being threatened, you pull the cord attached to the alarm, activating a very loud, high-pitched sound of 140 decibels. The deafening, irritating sound scares the attacker / rapist, and alerts passers-by to the pending attack.
What motivated you to develop it?
The MHCA will protect women and their families inside the house. What if they get attacked outside of the house? The MPSA (Memeza Personal Safety Alarm) is the answer to this question.
Who can use Memeza personal safety Alarm? And where can we use it?
It is used by women of all ages, the elderly and people with disabilities. It is your personal guard, you carry it everywhere you go, and use it whenever you feel threatened; in the streets, park, at school and anywhere.
Does one need to replace it by buying another? How long does it last?
You can use the MPSA (Memeza Personal Safety Alarm) for up to 5 years. The batteries are replaceable you can get the batteries from Game shops or any shop where they sell watch batteries.
How can one get it? And how much is it?
You can call the office for orders (011) 312 4076 and 082 927 4064, you will also be able to buy directly from our website.
How did you spot this opportunity for innovation?
When under attack, one tries to scream for help, but in many cases the voice does not come, or if it does come out, it’s too faint. The MPSA (Memeza Personal Safety Alarm) thus becomes your voice when under attack, to call for help and attract the attention of passer-bys.
How can people contact you for Memeza Personal Safety Alarm?
All contact details are on our website, www.memezashout.co.za
