A name with a promise
Hope. Trust.
Themba.
Themba means hope and trust in siSwati. Our purpose is to help people in Eswatini buy and sell with confidence, without either side having to guess who should go first.
Themba is a protected-payment service from Apex Global Group (Pty) Ltd, built around the way people here already trade.
The way we approach the work
Plain words.
Clear responsibilities.
Trust starts with the money.
The model keeps customer money at a partner bank, in a separate trust account. Themba records the deal and gives instructions; it is not a wallet.
People should know the fee.
Show the amount in emalangeni before anyone agrees. Use everyday language instead of asking people to understand payment-industry terms.
Include the feature phone.
Design the core deal actions for USSD as well as the smartphone journey. English and siSwati belong in the service, not as an afterthought.
Make each movement accountable.
The system is designed for recorded steps, reconciliation with the bank, and separation between preparing and approving manual payment instructions.
Where we stand
Developed.
Ready for closed testing.
The system is developed and ready for closed testing. The next step is controlled testing before a public service. A working system is not the same as permission to move customer money.
Closed-test readiness
The product is built. Testing is separate from this website, which does not accept payments, open accounts or verify deals.
Go and Drive first
Car dealers, private vehicle sellers and marketplace sellers are the intended starting audiences. The pilot depends on the required partnerships and regulatory approval.
Grow from the evidence
Business and Circles follow on the same foundation. Rails is planned after the required licensing route. Later products are not available now.
Working together
A local service.
Built with local relationships.
The planned pilot brings together the people who make trade possible: banks, mobile-money operators, car dealers and marketplace sellers.
Community organisations and online marketplaces have a place in the later product roadmap. Naming an audience here does not announce a signed partnership.