The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation launched an app where people are able to report racism, during its weeklong commemoration of Anti-Racism Week.
The foundation, which focuses on deepening non-racialism in South Africa, will be hosting a variety of events from 14 to 21 March. One of the featured events during the week was the demonstration of the Zimele Racism Reporting App.
Zimele, which means stand up, encourages its users to report any racist incident which has happened to them or another person.
Zimele, a Zulu word meaning stand up for yourself seeks to empower victims or witnesses of racism to report it. Know it, see it, speak out and act. #RootOutRacism.
— #UniteAgainstRacism (@AntiRacismNet) March 15, 2018
Anti-Racism Coordinator at the Kathrada Foundation, Bongani Makhubo said the app allows users the ability to choose from a variety of options where you are able to select your race, the type of incident which occurred, who it has been reported to and if it hasn’t been reported, what the reasons are. The app also has a feature which allows photos and videos to be uploaded.
Incidents reported on Zimele Racism Reporting App are set to arrive in real time with a priority to protect users who report and make use of the portal. #RootOutRacism @CountryDutyZA
— #UniteAgainstRacism (@AntiRacismNet) March 15, 2018
The Acting Director of the Information Communication Technology unit at the Department of Science and Technology, Zamokwakhe Dlamini, said, “Technology is an extension of who we are, good or bad; it’s how we create it and how we implement it that will make us succeed in solving problems such as sexism and racism.”
‘Technology is an extension of who we are, good or bad’ – Zamokwakhe Dlamini of Dpt of Science and Technology as he embraces the Zimele Racism Reporting App launch during Anti-Racism Week 2018. #RootOutRacism.
— #UniteAgainstRacism (@AntiRacismNet) March 15, 2018
Neeshan Balton, the executive director of the Kathrada Foundation added that once an incident has been reported on the app the foundation would, over time, have a team of people who could categorise the complaints and deal with those that are most urgent.
From there, they will make contact with the user to understand what has been done and what still needs to be done. “If you require legal support to go through the courts, or whether you have been but they haven’t supported you, we have had initial discussions with groups of lawyers and lawyers’ associations and they might be able to source a lawyer for you,” said Balton.
@TiyaniTee from @Geekulcha speaking about the ZiRRA app, the privilege of working on it and the importance of security. @KathradaFound #RootOutRacism @InnovHub pic.twitter.com/pepqjOchAm
— mLab (@mlabsa) March 15, 2018
The app, however, will still be tested over time to determine whether or not changes should be made and what the app can provide. It is available for free download from the Android Play Store.
Balton added that while there may be some drawbacks, they are yet to be seen and will be dealt with as the app becomes used.
Details: Ahmed Kathrada Foundation: 011 854 0082.
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