In South Africa, counterfeit products have become an alarming issue, affecting everything from food and medicine to electronics, posing serious risks to consumer safety and damaging the local economy. This problem is especially prevalent in townships, where small businesses like spaza shops face stiff competition from counterfeit goods sold at lower prices, but with dangerous hidden consequences. It was in response to this growing issue that Authentic8, an innovative barcode scanning app was born.
Founded in 2022 by Bheka Mbonambi, a Postgraduate Diploma graduate in Sustainable Horticulture and Landscaping from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) and Project Director of GEOTX, and Sphamandla Fuweka, the CEO and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) graduate from Mangosuthu University of Technology. Authentic8 is an innovative app that helps users scan product barcodes to verify their authenticity instantly. The app also features counterfeit reporting, allergen detection powered by artificial intelligence, and a platform connecting consumers with trusted retailers. Additionally, local authorities can utilise the app to monitor counterfeit activities and take appropriate action.
As residents of townships, both Mbonambi and Fuweka have witnessed first-hand the detrimental effects of counterfeit products. Their mission with Authentic8 is clear: to empower consumers by giving them the tools to verify the authenticity of consumable products in real time, thereby promoting safety, protecting livelihoods, and fostering a transparent marketplace.
Mbonambi has always been an engaged student during his time at DUT. While he was still a student, he received international recognition for his work concerning the conservation of the environment. He was selected as one of 20 educators in South Africa to participate in the Youth in Climate Robotics Project, when the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa was implementing a six-month project during 2021 called, Think Big Start Small: Youth-led Robotics for Multi-Dimensional Climate Solutions. This project also won Mbonambi a DUT Community Engagement Showcase and Pitching Award 2020 Prize worth R20 000 to support his project.
The journey of Authentic8 has been nothing short of remarkable. The app was selected as a finalist in the SAB Foundation Social Innovation Awards, a prestigious national competition that recognises projects designed to tackle societal challenges. Out of over 600 applicants, Authentic8 stood out and was awarded a Seed Grant, which has been instrumental in helping to grow the project. This recognition has also opened doors to valuable mentorship and partnerships with key organisations like Innovate Durban and the eThekwini Municipality.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support we have received. Being selected as finalists has provided us with not just validation but also the exposure and resources we need to scale our project. The connections we’ve made have been pivotal in our journey,” said Mbonambi.
Beyond the awards and grants, Authentic8 has gained significant visibility at national and international events. The app was exhibited at Transforming Africa at the University of Johannesburg and the AfriLabs Annual Gathering in Cape Town, and Mbonambi and Fuweka represented Authentic8 at the YALDA International iBootCamp at the university of Pretoria in, South Africa earlier this year. These opportunities have allowed them to share their vision with a wider audience and build relationships that will help expand the app’s reach.
Looking ahead, Mbonambi and Fuweka aim to expand the reach of Authentic8 across South Africa and, eventually, into other African markets. They believe that the app’s potential to improve consumer safety, protect businesses, and drive transparency in supply chains is immense. “We want Authentic8 to become the standard for verifying the authenticity of products, not just in South Africa but across the continent. Our goal is to foster a culture where consumers always authenticate the products they buy, making counterfeit goods a thing of the past,” shared Mbonambi.
As they continue to grow, Mbonambi and Fuweka know that their journey is far from over. They are determined to continue working with stakeholders, funding institutions, and government officials to ensure the widespread adoption of the app. “We have seen the dangers that counterfeit goods pose to our communities. Authentic8 is a tool that can help protect lives, safeguard livelihoods, and make markets safer for everyone,” explained Mbonambi.
The story of Authentic8 is a testament to the power of innovation driven by passion and purpose. Mbonambi and Fuweka’s determination to address a critical issue affecting so many people is an inspiring example of how technology can be used to create meaningful change. As they push forward, they are hopeful that more stakeholders will join them in their mission to combat counterfeit products and build a safer, more transparent marketplace for South Africa and beyond.
Pictured: Mr Bheka Mbonambi and Mr Siphamandla Fuweka.
Phumeza Msongelwa
