A 16-year-old girl from Limpopo has built a device to help protect victims of abuse.
In a country facing rising cases of violence against women and children, a teenager from Limpopo, South Africa, has come up with a life-saving idea. Bohlale Mphahlele, a Grade 11 student at SJ van der Merwe Technical High School, created a clever gadget hidden in what looks like a simple earring.
The device quietly helps victims during dangerous moments. With just a press of a tiny button, it takes pictures using a small camera and sends them—with the victim’s exact location—to trusted people and emergency responders.
The “Alerting Earpiece” That Fights Back
Bohlale named her invention the “Alerting Earpiece.” It’s not just smart; it’s built to act fast when someone is in trouble. Once triggered, it operates in silence—making it harder for an attacker to notice.
This quick response tool not only alerts people who can help, but also keeps visual proof of what’s happening. That’s key in both saving lives and gathering evidence.
National Recognition for Her Innovation
Her work earned national praise at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, where she took home a bronze medal in the engineering-electronics category. Judges called her project both smart and necessary—especially in a country battling gender-based violence every day.
Her invention was celebrated not just for its tech, but for focusing on a serious problem that affects so many South Africans.
Driven by Real-World Problems
Bohlale says the idea came from seeing how many girls and women continue to suffer abuse. She wanted to turn technology into a weapon for safety—not just something fun or useful.
“I saw the pain people go through, and I wanted to create something real that could help them,” she shared.
She believes technology must serve people—especially those most at risk.
Leaders Applaud and Call for Support
The Limpopo Department of Education called Bohlale a shining example of youth with purpose. MEC Polly Boshielo described her as a “game-changer” and said the invention proves how young minds can offer powerful solutions.
The department asked innovators and partners to help the young inventor grow her idea and bring it to life for more people.
Next Steps: Partnerships and Production
Bohlale is now hoping to join hands with tech experts, companies, and donors to improve the earpiece and begin producing it in larger numbers. Her dream is to see it in the hands of women and girls who need it most.
Her story shows how even the youngest voices can spark change and shape a safer future for all.
