By: Nokulunga Lebambo
My name is Ontiretse Fortune Ganetsang from Northam. Within Thabazimbi Local Municipality in limpopo I am 24 years old male and self taught software developer. Recently from last year I’ve been working on an app called safeshieldapp. Safeshieldapp is an app that is originally aimed at fighting GBV but also focuses on wide range of issues such as kidnappings, violence, drug addiction , emergency services personal growth and mental health awareness.
Safeshieldapp has a live location tracking system that let’s you share your location to the loved ones that will be live for 2 hours updating every 30 seconds irregardless of the phone is off or on powered by GPS and VPS systems. It also stores crucial information to assist emergency services personnel or government in case user is in danger I can see everything. I started last year June and succeeded this year January on the 1st and approached a friend of mine called THABO GERSHON JACK with whom we had a partnership and he financially funded the app to reach to playstore.
Currently it is in the closed testing process as we await to be approved by playstore. The app is free and will be accessed by all people in south Africa as i have not yet published it for other countries. I have traded marked and hold certificate of being a recognized information Regulator in south Africa as it deals with popia and other privacy policies. 072 099 4390 and +27 68 234 7919 is the number to reach out and help in any way possible.
Appsafeshield@gmail.comganetsangontiretse01@gmail.comRewrite this into an inspirational story for the youth voice newspaper website From a small town in Limpopo to building a life-saving tech platform, 24-year-old Ontiretse Fortune Ganetsang is proving that young people from rural communities can innovate and create solutions that could change lives across South Africa.
Born and raised in Northam under the Thabazimbi Local Municipality, Ontiretse is a self-taught software developer who turned his passion for technology into a mission to fight Gender-Based Violence (GBV), kidnappings, violence, drug addiction, and mental health struggles through a powerful mobile application called SafeShieldApp.The journey began in June 2025 when Ontiretse started developing the app on his own, despite limited resources and no formal software development background. Months of dedication, sleepless nights, and self-learning finally paid off when he successfully completed the project on January 1, 2026.SafeShieldApp was designed to become more than just an emergency app.
According to Ontiretse, the platform aims to protect vulnerable people while also helping communities respond faster during dangerous situations.One of the app’s standout features is its live location tracking system, which allows users to share their real-time location with loved ones for up to two hours, with updates every 30 seconds. The system is powered by GPS and VPS technology and is intended to continue functioning even when a phone is switched off or unavailable. The app also stores crucial information that can assist emergency services personnel or government authorities when users are in danger.After completing the project, Ontiretse partnered with his friend, Thabo Gershon Jack, who helped financially fund the application to reach the Google Play Store.The app is currently in its closed testing phase while awaiting approval from the Google Play.
Once approved, SafeShieldApp will be available free of charge to users across South Africa, with plans to expand internationally in the future.Ontiretse has also taken steps to ensure the app complies with South African privacy laws. He says he holds certification as a recognized Information Regulator in South Africa, particularly because the app deals with POPIA compliance and user privacy protection.
My name is Ontiretse Fortune Ganetsang from Northam. Within Thabazimbi Local Municipality in limpopo I am 24 years old male and self taught software developer. Recently from last year I’ve been working on an app called safeshieldapp. Safeshieldapp is an app that is originally aimed at fighting GBV but also focuses on wide range of issues such as kidnappings, violence, drug addiction , emergency services personal growth and mental health awareness.
Safeshieldapp has a live location tracking system that let’s you share your location to the loved ones that will be live for 2 hours updating every 30 seconds irregardless of the phone is off or on powered by GPS and VPS systems. It also stores crucial information to assist emergency services personnel or government in case user is in danger I can see everything. I started last year June and succeeded this year January on the 1st and approached a friend of mine called THABO GERSHON JACK with whom we had a partnership and he financially funded the app to reach to playstore. Currently it is in the closed testing process as we await to be approved by playstore.
The app is free and will be accessed by all people in south Africa as i have not yet published it for other countries. I have traded marked and hold certificate of being a recognized information Regulator in south Africa as it deals with popia and other privacy policies. 072 099 4390 and +27 68 234 7919 is the number to reach out and help in any way possible.
Appsafeshield@gmail.comganetsangontiretse01@gmail.comRewrite this into an inspirational story for the youth voice newspaper website From a small town in Limpopo to building a life-saving tech platform, 24-year-old Ontiretse Fortune Ganetsang is proving that young people from rural communities can innovate and create solutions that could change lives across South Africa.Born and raised in Northam under the Thabazimbi Local Municipality, Ontiretse is a self-taught software developer who turned his passion for technology into a mission to fight Gender-Based Violence (GBV), kidnappings, violence, drug addiction, and mental health struggles through a powerful mobile application called SafeShieldApp.The journey began in June 2025 when Ontiretse started developing the app on his own, despite limited resources and no formal software development background. Months of dedication, sleepless nights, and self-learning finally paid off when he successfully completed the project on January 1, 2026.
SafeShieldApp was designed to become more than just an emergency app. According to Ontiretse, the platform aims to protect vulnerable people while also helping communities respond faster during dangerous situations.One of the app’s standout features is its live location tracking system, which allows users to share their real-time location with loved ones for up to two hours, with updates every 30 seconds. The system is powered by GPS and VPS technology and is intended to continue functioning even when a phone is switched off or unavailable. The app also stores crucial information that can assist emergency services personnel or government authorities when users are in danger.After completing the project, Ontiretse partnered with his friend, Thabo Gershon Jack, who helped financially fund the application to reach the Google Play Store.The app is currently in its closed testing phase while awaiting approval from the Google Play.
Once approved, SafeShieldApp will be available free of charge to users across South Africa, with plans to expand internationally in the future.Ontiretse has also taken steps to ensure the app complies with South African privacy laws. He says he holds certification as a recognized Information Regulator in South Africa, particularly because the app deals with POPIA compliance and user privacy protection.For the young developer, this project is about more than technology — it is about saving lives and giving hope to communities facing violence and social challenges daily.His story is now inspiring many young people in Limpopo and beyond, showing that innovation does not only come from big cities or universities.
With determination, vision, and purpose, even self-taught youth from rural areas can create solutions with the potential to impact an entire nation.People interested in supporting, partnering with, or learning more about SafeShieldApp can contact Ontiretse Fortune Ganetsang on 072 099 4390 or +27 68 234 7919. Email: appsafeshield@gmail.com or ganetsangontiretse01@gmail.com.