Latest news with #HelloPeter
The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
HelpMe App launches project 4051 in Durban North
HUNDREDS of visitors to the weekend's Connect and Protect Expo at Crusaders were given first-hand demonstrations and guided downloads of the new HelpMe app. Billed as an advanced personal safety app, the HelpMe app gives members immediate (data-free) access to specialist crisis teams. Founder of the app, Jess Meredith Watts, said the event was the first of its kind for residents of the 4051 and was a way to put community safety first using smart tech. Also read: Beachfront statue spend sparks outrage among North Beach residents With more than 300 000 users already and ranked as South Africa's top security service provider on Hello Peter, the app integrates emergency services including medical, fire, and security; all at the tap of a button, without using mobile data. 'The support from the local community was unbelievable and while this launch was specifically for the Durban North area we hope to roll out to other areas across the province, certainly across the Dolphin Coast. The idea behind the app is quite simple in having immediate access to emergency care all under one umbrella. The app is really easy to use, simply open the app and just swipe the appropriate emergency button based on your situation. There are also a whole range of add-ons and upgrades, and this is about enhancing community safety,' he said. Also at the launch were several strategic security partners, including Marshall Security and Fidelity ADT. One of the most heartwarming moments of the expo was when 101-year-old Bill Lofthouse received a personalised walkthrough of the HelpMe app and got to meet Meredith Watts at the event. The app is available for Android and iPhone users. You can visit for more information and to explore how the App works. For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
The Citizen
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Security app launch coming up in Durban North
A REVOLUTIONARY new safety app promising to transform how communities protect themselves has been officially launched in Durban North. Visionary and founder Jess Watts hosted partners and stakeholders at Java Café this week, unveiling HelpMe, an app he hopes will 'change the face of protecting ourselves and our families'. Also read: Durban North Tennis Club 'reveals' modern facilities after upgrade Watts recounted how, 15 years ago, a frightening experience while stranded on a Ballito roadside planted the seed for what would become HelpMe. 'I'd run out of petrol and had gone to a petrol station and a Good Samaritan offered me a lift. When I returned, I saw another car already parked by my vehicle, and the occupants were about to get out. Our arrival scared them off but that moment made me realise how vulnerable we can be,' he said. Described as the world's first data-free safety app, HelpMe uses cutting-edge technology to integrate seamlessly with security, medical, and fire services. Watts revealed that the app already services over 300 000 users and is South Africa's No.1 ranked security service provider on Hello Peter. For the Durban North community, project 4051 launch is uniquely tailored. 'This is about building a safety and security ecosystem around technology,' Watts explained. 'People who need help will be connected directly to service providers which is data-free. We're striving to be bigger, faster, and safer.' Marshall Security and Fidelity ADT have signed on as security response partners in 4051. Fourteen dedicated vehicles will be linked directly to the app's crime alert button feature, ensuring that whichever vehicle is closer, Marshall or Fidelity ADT, will respond first. Average response times are estimated at under four minutes, a development Watts called a 'game changer'. 'Without Marshall and ADT's commitment, this wouldn't be possible,' said Watts, thanking all safety, security, community, and media partners who contributed to the app's launch. Looking ahead, a major public launch event is planned, geared to host up to 10 000 people in a large expo-style format. The Community Connect and Protect event takes place at Northwood Crusaders Sports Club on August 2 and 3 from 10:00 to 16:00 on the Saturday and 10:00 to 14:00 on the Sunday. Plans for the event include 14 video stands showcasing the power of the HelpMe app, a range of emergency response vehicles on display, helicopter fly-ins, a live four-hour broadcast from East Coast Radio, DJs, competitions, and food and drinks. 'We're inviting the whole community to come and see how we're going to smash crime in 4051. It's all about partnerships and working hand in hand to make our communities safer and more secure. Together, we're making South Africa safer, one neighbourhood at a time,' said Watts. Residents of Durban North are encouraged to attend the event. For more from Northglen News, follow us on Facebook , X or Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
Uber on the brink of collapse in South Africa: Key reasons WHY
Once hailed as the gold standard of ride-hailing in South Africa, Uber is now staring down the barrel of a full-scale collapse. Mounting safety concerns, deteriorating service quality, and deepening public distrust are threatening to undo more than a decade of brand equity and dominance in the country's urban transport market. Launched in 2013 to much fanfare, Uber rapidly became synonymous with safe, reliable, and professional transportation. It offered tracking technology, premium vehicles, and professional drivers – many of them university graduates supplementing their income. But by mid-2025, that narrative has been flipped on its head. What was once a seamless and secure experience is now plagued by problems that appear too large to ignore. In the last two years alone, multiple high-profile incidents involving rider assault, robbery, and suspected driver collusion have rocked Uber's reputation. Victims include celebrities like radio host Anele Mdoda, while everyday users report being targeted or feeling unsafe – particularly in areas like Sandton and Eastgate, where e-hailing drivers are harassed by local taxi associations. Uber drivers aren't spared either. Attacks, extortion, and car damage have become common, with some drivers fearing for their lives. The E-hailing Partners Council has warned that drivers are being pushed out of key economic zones through violent intimidation, eroding their ability to earn and eroding Uber's supply chain. Uber's once pristine fleet is now a shadow of its former self. Riders increasingly complain about dirty, poorly maintained vehicles – often with broken air conditioners, food smells, and questionable hygiene. Even Uber Black, once the elite tier, is now described by users as subpar. Drivers blame tight margins, soaring fuel prices, and Uber's commission-heavy model for their inability to maintain vehicle standards. 'We're operating at a loss,' said one Cape Town driver, 'and Uber won't listen.' Cancellations, no-shows, and billing inconsistencies are now commonplace. Customers report being overcharged, penalised for cancelled rides they didn't cancel, and ignored by Uber's customer service. Internal sources have revealed that some drivers exploit the system by leaving phones at e-hailing zones overnight to hold airport queue positions, resulting in false availability and long rider delays. What used to be a reliable app experience is now seen by many as a gamble. Once ranked among the highest-rated services on customer platforms like HelloPeter, Uber South Africa now sees a flood of one-star reviews , many citing fear, frustration, and distrust. With competition from Bolt, inDrive, and new players like private shuttle services and even SecureFire's emergency response fleet, Uber is losing the competitive edge it once monopolised. Experts say Uber is in danger of entering a service death spiral: poor quality leads to customer loss, which means lower income for drivers, leading to even worse service, and so on. 'Uber isn't just facing a reputational crisis – it's an operational and structural failure,' says transport analyst Dineo Mokoena. 'Without bold intervention, we could see Uber's effective exit from key South African markets within the next 12 to 24 months.' In a statement, Uber said it remains committed to safety and quality, and that it is 'investing in in-app features and driver training.' But for many riders and drivers, these promises feel too little, too late. Uber South Africa is on the edge of collapse – not from external competition alone, but from its failure to maintain the standards that once made it great. If the company cannot quickly regain the trust of riders, protect its drivers, and restore service quality, its ride in South Africa may soon be over. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
