MXit: A South Africa based mobile social networking tool
Business Week has an article on, MXit (pronounced as 'mix it') a mobile social networking tool in South Africa developed by Herman Heunis. Since it's launch in 2005 by MXit Lifestyle, the service has spread to 120 countries, however, the bulk of its users are in South Africa and Indonesia. The service has attracted more than 14 million users in developing countries and an estimated 250 million messages are exchanged every day.
MXit allows users to exchange one-on-one text and multi-media messages, to participate in chat rooms and also supports connections to other instant messengers such as MSN, ICQ and GoogleTalk. Since the main service of exchanging one-on-one messaging is free for its users, MXit, generates half of its revenue from selling content such as games, music, and digital accessories and half from advertising alongside content.
What sets the service apart from other social networks, is the provision of a number of civic-minded services such as low-cost downloads, education tools and even real-time drug counseling services.
On his recent visit to South Africa in early July, US President Barack Obama, used MXit to connect with the young people. US Embassy in South Africa has signed a yearlong partnership with MXit to support it's outreach program in the region.
MXit, shows that mobile social networking maybe an effective tool to engage users in social issues.
5 comments
Lovely post! Dropping by…
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Gr8 info..
all the best wid ur research work
Interesting story. Thanks
I noted you are researching mobile phone usage amongst youth. I recommend you keep an eye on Norman Lewis’ new blog at futures-diagnosis.com
As one of the leading thinkers on mobile youth, he promises some very insightful material
Hi Steve, Thanks for referring me to Norman Lewis’s blog. I will check it out.
Thanks, Ashu
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