The eccentric & first young Motswana to develop an Apple Application

There is an app revolution going on and one 30 year old local and smart innovator understands this technological riot very well such that he breaks into a natural beam at the mention of the word ‘Tech.”

It is largely due to the passion as well as the rise of the “maker movement” and Science, Technology and Engineering that Marang Sello is determined to change the model and scope of technology in the country.

Such determination and rise in IT programs has empowered him to bring his projects and ideas to life; as a result making him the first Motswana to build and develop an Apple App.

The App dubbed BWRadio and the first of its kind in the country is an Apple App that allows people to listen to their favourite radio stations, live from anywhere and anytime. The App is compatible with iPhones, iPods and iPads running iOS 8.0 or higher. “I realised that as Apple users, we are always left out, so I decided to develop this App to fill this gap,” says Sello on why he was motivated to go for this sort of invention.

The App will enable Apple users, especially those living outside the country to have an opportunity to listen to local radio, to avoid missing out on what is happening in the country. “We have a lot of Android developers in Botswana, but no Apple developers, so since I am an Apple developer I wanted to create something for Batswana, so they can easily stay in touch with current affairs and even enjoy local music live from anywhere from the convenience of their Apple devices.”

Sello is a passionate innovator soaked up in a world of ethical hacking and anything that has to do with technology. He specialises in iOS Application development and is always looking for ways to solve problems in society through Mobile applications.

Born in Jwaneng and raised in Gaborone, Sello says his passion for technology grew whilst he was at junior secondary school. “I once read an article about The Tech Billionaire, Bill Gates from Kutlwano magazine whilst at school and since then I was hooked! I was then introduced to computers by my late friend, James Moitoi who was a Computer genius he taught me a lot of cool stuff.”

He then went on to study Software Engineering in Malaysia, where he did a course on Ethical Hacking. After he became a certified ethical hacker, Sello knew his path into becoming tomorrow’s tech guru was widening one day at a time. For his final year Project at University, he developed a Smart-home Automation System, a system where one can control appliances like lights, coffee makers and so forth from their house using a Smartphone.

He reveals that developing an App is not an easy task. Speaking of how he developed BWRadio APP, he said; “To develop Apps for Apple, you need to register for an Apple Developer account, which is $99, you then develop your App, submit it to the Apple Appstore. Apple will then review it and once they approve it, it will be available for download from anywhere in the world. I developed the #BWRadio and made it available for free, the idea was to establish myself as an Apple App Developer.”

The young maverick is currently in Kenya where he will soon launch The Kenyan version of his new Apple APP. He states that with the Kenyan App, it will not only stream all Kenyan Radio stations but will also enable users to watch Kenya TV channels Live from their Apple devices as well.

“As for the Kenyan App, it will only be $0.99, worldwide. That is how I plan to make money from the Apple store.”The lad also uses his stay in Kenya as an inspiration platform as Kenya is known for its technological advancement boasting one great innovation called Mpesa.

Since the launch of his ground breaking App, the feedback has been overwhelming and Sello believes this is just the beginning. He believes there is potential for growth in the country.

“I believe if we can seriously support innovation in Botswana, we can create more jobs and take our country to another level. Trust me we have so much potential, we have a lot of resources at our disposal, all we need to do is put the right people in place and put them to good use. We should learn to appreciate our own products and innovations made by our very own people,” he said.

The App BWRadio is available for free, worldwide on the Apple Appstore.