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Civic Engagement: designing a new image for eThekwini Municipality.
Background The eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality, previously known as the Durban Metropolitan Council, has been using a logo that features a dark blue field with a light blue and white representation of the dome of the Durban City Hall. The City Hall, built in 1910, serves as the seat of municipal government and is a near…
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Artificial Intelligence: implementing ChatGPT services for local government
Introduction The eThekwini Municipality, in its quest to harness the power of artificial intelligence to enhance its Economic Research, Strategy & Innovation Department, contracted Pista Ventures to integrate ChatGPT services. This collaboration aimed to leverage ChatGPT’s capabilities to improve efficiency, innovation, and decision-making processes within the municipality’s operations. Understanding Artificial Intelligence in Government The integration…
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Accelerating eCommerce: designing an accelerator programme for Takealot
Introduction Pista Ventures, contracted by IDF VAS, initiated the Takealot Marketplace Business Accelerator Programme. The programme was designed to empower Takealot marketplace sellers with the tools, knowledge, and insights necessary to excel in the competitive e-commerce landscape. By enhancing seller performance, the programme aimed to solidify Takealot’s position as a leading online marketplace in South…
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Civic Engagement: solving for misinformation during a pandemic
Introduction Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the world saw an unprecedented surge in misinformation and disinformation, complicating public health efforts. Pista Ventures, in response to this crisis, developed COTU, a WhatsApp-based communication tool designed to provide accurate, validated information about COVID-19 to residents of the eThekwini Municipality. By leveraging geo-targeted messaging, COTU aimed to inform the…
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Social Innovation: corrective eyewear from plastic waste
Introduction Pista Ventures, in response to a call for proposals by the Goethe Institute, initiated the Open Oceans project with the aim of addressing two critical issues: the environmental crisis of plastic pollution and the social challenge of vision impairment in children. The project proposed the innovative solution of creating spectacles for children using recycled…
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Southern Urbanism: new route development
Introduction Contracted by B&B, Pista Ventures is embarking on a pioneering urban development strategy aimed at enhancing the eThekwini Municipality’s focus on rural and eco-tourism, particularly within the Umhlanga route. This initiative seeks to leverage the area’s rich natural and wildlife resources by developing new routes for walking, cycling, and bussing, thereby creating a more…
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UX Research: Living Wage for Barista Wage Calculator
Introduction Pista Ventures undertook a pioneering UX Research project to garner more insights for the Barista Wage Calculator, aiming to address the nuanced and often contentious issue of fair compensation within the coffee industry. This tool, developed by Open Cities Lab and Black Box, was envisioned to help reconcile the diverse needs and perspectives of…
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Circular Systems: prototyping for the visually impaired using plastic waste
Introduction Pista Ventures, seizing an opportunity provided by the South African Cities Network (SACN) aligning to the Integrated Urban Development Framework (IUDF), conceptualised “Open Oceans,” an innovative urban ocean lab project in Durban, South Africa. This initiative aimed to tackle the pressing issue of ocean plastics pollution by focusing on Durban’s river systems, which act…
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Food Systems: a manifesto for Africa developed by youth
Introduction Pista Ventures, as a founding contributor of the African Food Systems Manifesto, embarked on an ambitious journey to reshape the continent’s food systems. Recognising the critical role food systems play in societal health, economic stability, and environmental sustainability, the initiative aimed to foster a collaborative, continent-wide movement towards more sustainable, equitable, and resilient food…
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Open Africa: a policy & advocacy expedition for the AfCFTA
Introduction The Durban Agreement on Open Africa, initiated by the World Economic Forum’s African Global Shapers community, represents a forward-thinking proposition to foster greater cultural understanding and economic integration across the continent. In alignment with this vision, Nkululeko Mthembu, the founder of Pista, embarked on an extensive backpacking journey across Africa. This expedition aimed to…
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Polycrisis: civic technology in a time of crisis
The COVID-19 pandemic, civil unrest and recent flooding in KwaZulu-Natal has illustrated the need for data-driven insights to help various stakeholders find the necessary information to assist or be assisted in times of need. Across KwaZulu-Natal, important information is inaccessible to the public, or is difficult to locate, retrieve and analyse during a disaster. In…
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Public Health: auditing taverns & shebeens during COVID19
Introduction Pista Ventures, known for its innovative solutions in entrepreneurial and social challenges, was subcontracted by The Hookup Dinner (THUD) to conduct a comprehensive audit of taverns and shebeens in Kwazulu Natal. This initiative was a response to the stringent alcohol restrictions implemented across South Africa due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The primary goal was…
