Nobody should have to worry about their safety when out and about. That said, with violent crime a daily reality in South Africa, these apps and personal safety gadgets may offer some extra peace of mind.
Namola
One of South Africa’s best-known emergency response apps, Namola connects users at the touch of a button. Using your phone’s GPS location, it can help co-ordinate police, ambulance and private security assistance. It also offers family location sharing. (Writer’s note: I used this in an emergency and it was excellent.) Essential (R29 a month) adds public emergency dispatch and more tracking features, while Plus (R59 a month) includes private armed and medical response. There’s also a free version. In addition, there’s a standalone 4G panic tracker that works without a smartphone, costing R2,499 plus R99 a month. namola.com
Life360
Developed in the US after Hurricane Katrina, Life360 is a popular way for families and friends to keep tabs on one another. Available on iPhone and Android, it lets users share locations, see when someone arrives at or leaves a place and check driving information. There’s a free version, with paid plans offering longer location histories, crash detection and emergency alerts.
Of course, tracking raises questions about privacy and trust. Nobody likes feeling spied on, and location sharing can be misused by controlling or abusive partners. It should always be a choice, with everyone knowing who can see their location and how to switch it off. life360.com
Apple Find My and Samsung Find
You may already have a useful location sharing tool on your phone. Apple’s Find My and Samsung’s Find let you share your whereabouts with friends and family, see their locations on a map (with their permission) and find missing devices. You can also choose how long to share your location. Find My comes with iPhones, while Samsung Find is pre-installed on newer Galaxy devices and is available to download on compatible older models. Both are free.
Runner pepper gel
Designed for runners and walkers, this R260 pepper gel has an adjustable hand strap, so you can keep it close rather than buried in a bag. Unlike traditional pepper spray, it fires a concentrated stream up to 4m, reducing the risk of blowback. It has a safety lock and enough gel for up to 35 bursts. No self-defence product guarantees protection, though, and confronting an attacker carries risks. sabrered.co.za
Personal alarm
Sometimes a loud noise can make all the difference. This R199 gadget looks like a memory stick and clips onto your keys, handbag or backpack. Pull the pin to set off a piercing alarm designed to attract attention and potentially scare off an attacker. Batteries are included. sabrered.co.za
