The first locally produced smartphone may not simply make significant strides in the technology industry - it will boast greater security than other popular smartphones in the industry.

Thulani Khoza. Source: Munghana Lonene FM via Twitter.
The T-Touch, due to be launched this month, is the brainchild of Wits University alumni Thulani Khoza, who partnered with fellow 'Witsie' Karabo Masenyadiloana, who handles the business side of the phone. "It all started when I first developed a security app and people responded well to it, so I thought that I could take it a step further and I started developing the phone," said Khoza.
The Android-powered smartphone has been in development since 2008 and has all the basic elements of a smartphone. But, said Khoza, it has more security features than other smartphones. "The security feature in the T-Touch lets the user encrypt the phone. This makes the phone 99.9% secure," Khoza said.
The phone also comes with a business app called Futurepreneurs already installed. The app, exclusive to the phone for now, will help up-and-coming local entrepreneurs to connect with others around the world - and those already established - via an electronic forum.
Khoza said local manufacture of the smartphone will create employment for "roughly 2,600 people". He said this would go a little way towards combating serious unemployment.
The T-touch will be available nationwide, but Mpumalanga-based Khoza said he cannot yet reveal any more details given the sensitive stage of negotiations with various stakeholders.
Source: The Times