At just 16 years old, Bohlale Mphahlele didn’t just dream of a safer South Africa, she built a device that could make it happen.
Limpopo South Africa (12 May 2025) – Sometimes, it takes just one spark to ignite a brighter future… and in this case, that spark came from a 16-year-old schoolgirl in Limpopo with a big heart and an even bigger idea.
Bohlale Mphahlele’s incredible story from 2020 is going viral again and for good reason. She didn’t just watch the headlines scroll by. She didn’t accept the status quo. At the height of South Africa’s gender-based violence crisis, while most teens were navigating high school and homework, Bohlale created a device that could save lives.
And five years later, she’s still pushing the limits of what’s possible – turning a brilliant idea into a full-on mission to make South Africa safer.
In 2020, Bohlale was a Grade 11 learner when she saw just how devastating the stats around GBV and human trafficking were. But instead of being paralysed by the scale of the problem, she asked herself: What can I do to help?
And then she did it.
She designed a wearable safety device called the “Alerting Earpiece” – a discreet gadget worn like an ordinary earring that hides extraordinary power. If the wearer finds themselves in danger, they can press a hidden button that instantly sends an alert to pre-set contacts. The device snaps a photo of the perpetrator, pinpoints the victim’s location, and shares it. All in real time.
All from an earring. Let that sink in.
She explained that her goal was to create something small and fast enough to help someone in crisis without them needing to shout or run. It was about giving women and children a fighting chance.
At just 16, Bohlale showed us that courage isn’t about age, it’s about action.
The device quickly captured attention. She presented it at a national science expo and scooped a bronze medal. It made waves on radio stations and news channels, and the then-MEC for Education called her innovation a proud moment for Limpopo. Even global organisations noticed and for good reason.
It wasn’t just that she had built something clever. It was that she cared enough to try. And she wasn’t done yet.
So… What’s She Been Up To Since Then?
Since graduating high school, Bohlale has been steadily turning her idea into a real product. She founded her own company, Mphahlele Alerts (Pty) Ltd, to focus on refining and eventually launching the Alerting Earpiece. At the same time, she’s been studying towards a degree in Information Technology, determined to sharpen her skills and grow her impact. She also joined an innovation programme that supports young women developing solutions for their communities.
She’s walking the walk. Building. Learning. Leading.
Oh… and she’s mentoring other young girls in tech too. Because Bohlale’s story isn’t just about the device. It’s about the ripple effect. The reminder that one good idea, from one passionate person, can move us all forward.
Bohlale Mphahlele is the kind of story we all need more of. A reminder that young people have powerful voices. That tech can be a force for good. That safety, innovation, and hope can come in the shape of something as small as an earring. As her story resurfaces in 2025, it’s not just about celebrating the past, it’s about recognising the future she’s still creating. A new generation is watching, learning and realising what’s possible when you take action.
Quiet heroes like Bohlale remind us that change doesn’t always come from big platforms or powerful people. Sometimes, it starts with a curious mind, a kind heart and the courage to do something about it.
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