Good guess {{ FIRSTNAME | there }}? Polymarket gambling’s one thing, but now online casinos let you bet on live traffic cam footage. No jokes, watch this guy win R5 million because of a red light. 🚦
In Today’s Open Letter
Easy Peasy: This helps you manage screen time like a boss.
Local: New wave for venture capital & SA’s next bulb ban.
Global: Why Canva is buying up video animation studios.
Made on WhatsApp: Power outages, sorted in Durbs.
Tech Opportunities: New comps & opportunities in SA.
Is your business showing up?
AI is rewriting the rules of search and SEO in 2026. But with sixteen years of performance marketing experience, Chantelle Bowyer is bringing a clear, practical view on how search behaviour is shifting and how businesses should adapt.
Expect tactics, frameworks and decision points that help companies stay visible, relevant and competitive in an exclusive masterclass this Friday.
TRENDING NOW
SA’s R30bn Screen-Time Play
Parents spend around R30bn per year trying to manage screen time (with little success) – but this SA-made tag can change the game…
South Africans spend an average of 53 hours and 57 minutes every week consuming online media, 60% above the global average of 33 hrs, 27 mins.
That’s around 8 hours per day, a big concern for parents as SA adolescents spend around 3 hrs, 17 mins on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, WhatsApp or gaming per day.
The problem: 75% of SA parents want to control their kids’ screen time, but 60% fail to do so effectively. Why? Well, it’s actually not that easy…
Taking back our time
Most screen-time guardrails are software-based (Apple’s Screen Time or Google’s Digital Wellbeing). They live in the same emotional part of the brain as the distractions they are trying to block (on the same device), making the "ignore for 15 minutes" button almost a reflex.
This has sparked some to take drastic measures like dumbing down smartphones, buying old-school basic models or even bringing landlines back. But there has to be a middle ground between no phone and no self-control.
The tag cutting down our screen time
Swiitch is a R5-coin sized physical NFC tag to block and unblock distracting apps.
It uses Near-Field Communication (the same tech in your bank card) to act as a physical key, made by SA industrial 3D-printers Amnova. And works like a charm…
It’s easy to set up, too: When you first receive your Swiitch tag, you scan the QR code on the box lid, download the Swiitch app and start controlling screen times like a boss.
Why the tag?
Swiitch founder Andrew Doyle told us the physical act of tapping the tag is actually the point. The device helps snap brains out of the emotional flow of doom-scrolling and into the real world.
It works great for anyone wanting to manage their own screen usage — just set it up and away you go. But also good for parents: It comes with built-in Child Mode.
We love the fact that it doesn’t require emails and passwords, and it’s not trying to capture your usage data. Currently only available for iOS, Andrew says Android is coming soon.
It’s early days, though: Swiitch launched just over two weeks ago. But the initial data looks promising, with one user saying they’ve steadily decreased screen time every day.
PS: Use promo code OPENLETTER15 to get an exclusive 15% discount when you buy a Swiitch.
We’re watching this space…
WHATSAPP’S HOT
They Built What on WhatsApp?!?
Who still calls a municipal hotline for power faults?
Durban is flipping that idea with a new WhatsApp chatbot for electricity services — letting residents log faults, validate accounts and track outages straight from chat.
But here’s what’s really clever:
✅ Verify with meter or account number
✅ Log faults and track outages live
✅ Faster, simpler chat-based support
Instead of waiting on hold or chasing updates, Durban residents now manage power issues in the same place they message friends, turning WhatsApp into a frontline service channel.
What would you build on WhatsApp today?
Chat Inc proudly sponsors WhatsApp’s Hot
The trusted WhatsApp people powering WhatsApp and Chat Commerce experiences for some of SA's largest and most respected brands, from Lead Acquisition, Outbound Direct Marketing and enterprise-grade transactional chatbot platforms.
Chat Inc started locally, and today it is trusted by brands globally.
CHECK THIS OUT
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Dictate investor updates, board notes, and daily rundowns and get final-draft writing you can paste immediately. Wispr Flow preserves nuance and uses voice snippets for repeatable founder comms. Try Wispr Flow for founders.
IN SHORT
Hot off the press in business and tech…
💰 Securing The Bag. Early-stage venture capital firm HAVAÍC’s Fund 3 has crossed $30 million (R481 million) in backing from Sanlam Multi-Manager and Allan Gray's E Squared Investments. Here’s what HAVAÍC Fund 3 means for local tech VC.
💡 Hit The Lights. Things are heating up for the second phase of SA’s light bulb ban, with the changes taking effect on 23 May 2026. This 2nd phase increases the minimum luminous efficiency from 90 to 105 lumens per watt. De-lightful…
🎨 Keep it Moving. Creative platform Canva has just acquired 2D animation software Cavalry, and video ad optimisation and performance platform Mango AI, signalling Canva's ongoing moves into the video space. Very interesting.
🛒 Spoilt for Choice. Murcan retail giant Walmart is set to roll out 21 new stores in Cape Town and Durban, after opening its first two stores in Jozi at the end of last year, and its Boksburg branch opening its doors this coming Saturday. Cool man.
🚀 Global Reach Built. World-class futurist John Sanei has the insight but needs consistent global visibility. So FDC turned LinkedIn into a positioning engine that’s driven 6.7 million impressions, 31k+ profile views and steady inbound demand from global audiences.*
* From our partners. Find all the best service providers for your business in our Founder Stack.
WHAT YOU SAID
Spill the tea…
Yesterday, we showed you how Beverage Seal is bringing beverage sealing tech to SA restaurants, asking about the worst part of ordering a drink online. Most say spilt, battered cups…
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🥴 When hot drinks are cool/cold drinks are warm (19%)
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🫗 Half-spilt, battered cups (31%)
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ ☺️ When the delivery driver looks suspiciously refreshed (19%)
🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 😡 When I don't get what I specifically ordered (12%)
🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 😎 Nah, never had an issue (19%)
VENTURE OPPORTUNITIES
5 Boosters to up your game
Early-stage SA tech founders: Get R40k+ business-building tools, including data, cloud architecture support, legal and hiring vetting, 1-on-1 strategy and coaching sessions, plus free event tickets, Microsoft Marketplace access and more when you join The Founder Collab.
Win $1m? Startup World Cup Johannesburg finale takes place on 26 June — pitch your startup for a shot at the global finals. Applications are now open.
3+ years revenue? Africa’s Business Heroes Prize offers up to $300k from a $1.5m grant pool plus global exposure. Apply from 3 Mar.
Youth founders (18–35): FNB Youth Start-up Accelerator (with Fetola) supports early-stage township and rural entrepreneurs. Apply by 4 Mar.
Growth-stage startup? Google for Startups Accelerator Africa is a 3-month hybrid with equity-free support, AI access and expert mentorship. Apply by 18 Mar.
Want to promote your programme here? Let us know.
AROUND THE WEB
Let it go…
🍌 Tool to Try: PaperBanana turns your research content into publication-ready diagrams.
🥔 That's Interesting: A Lay's survey found that 42% of people didn't know chips were made from potatoes, so they put "Made With Real Potatoes" on the bag.
🔍 Next Level: An X-ray machine for drywall that lets you see pipes, wiring and studs in real time.
🎬 Hack: Here’s a top 100 films list from scores over 5 different rating sources.
🕹️ Wow Site: Gametify gives you free browser games you can play instantly on any device.
