Government launches high-tech mobile app

The Deputy Minister launched the app during the Department of Communications' cocktail networking function on Wednesday evening ahead of today's State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The app links users to the recently re-launched mobile friendly government website, www.gov.za, which bridges the digital divide and can be accessed on any cellular phone.

It allows users to view, among others, the latest available jobs in the public service; tender bulletins; news and radio bulletins; information on services like renewing your driver's licence or renewing your car licence disk.

The app, which is available for a free download on your play store, also gives users contact details of all government departments across all spheres of government.

Addressing journalists at the launch, Deputy Minister Ndabeni-Abrahams said the mobile app would also be a useful tool for media practitioners.

"As members of the media, we urge you to go out there and tell everybody that has access to [the app] that as government, we are trying to reach out to all South Africans.

"As government, we are committed to ensuring that our people indeed are governed," she said.

The South African Government app also gives users quick access to government leaders, events, speeches and other government information.

It is available on both Android and Apple mobile devices. The app was developed at the back of evidence that there was an increasing appetite for government information, the Deputy Minister said.

Currently, the number of cellular phones on the South African market surpasses the number of the entire population.

According to research, one out of every 51 million South Africans has 1.17 cellular phones.

The government website currently enjoys large traffic volumes on a monthly basis.

Taking the app to the public

From the day of the launch until 1 March 2015, the department will embark on a nationwide awareness and educational campaign to create awareness and hype around the app.

The second phase of the launch, 2 to 31 March 2015, will be used to reach out to the target primary audience - Android and Apple users - where unique selling points will be showcased via the app.

Between 1 April and 3 May 2015, the department will ask users for feedback of their experience with the app.

Vuk'uzenzele app launched
The Deputy Minister said the launch of the "South African Government" app comes after her department launched the Vuk'uzenzele newspaper app in November last year.

The app allows users to download and read the government newspaper that is distributed nationwide and gives further access to a publication with a print-run of 1.7 million copies and Braille.

It gives readers quick access to view and download the newspaper's monthly editions free of charge. It also offers opt-in notifications to users when a new download is available and gives readers full access to the Vuk'uzenzele archive.