Local companies seem keen to get on board with a project that seeks to push more cost-effective smartphones and tablets out of a factory on Johannesburg's East Rand.
Two South African firms, Seemahale Telecoms and CZ Electronic Manufacturing, have teamed up on a project that will see smartphones and tablets being designed and put together in a Boksburg factory, from the first quarter of next year.
The devices target the lower end of the market, although the team behind them argues they have higher specifications than other similarly priced units. A five-inch Android-based smartphone is expected to sell for R2 500, while a 10.1-inch tablet should hit the shelves at R3 500.
The devices have provisionally been called the CZ6000iS and CZ8000iG.
Thabo Lehlokoe, chairman of Seemahale Telecoms, says the "interest in the products has been very positive so far". South Africans are generally seen to be brand-conscious, which has raised questions as to just how well the gadgets will sell. "Of course, there will be the naysayers, but we expect that," says Lehlokoe.
Adding value
Lehlokoe says the venture has been approached by different South African companies keen to collaborate and provide local value-adding products and services. Other firms, which offer educational software solutions using foreign-made tablets, now want to use the local products in their offerings, he notes.
"We would like to have the localised apps to be included in our products, so we encourage the app developers and other providers of accessories to get in touch with us and be part of history in the making."
The paperwork for the devices to be type approved has been handed in at the Independent Communications Authority of SA, says Lehlokoe. He adds that limited production will start after approval.
"One of the operators is already testing the tablet and we are engaging the others to follow suit as well. We hope that when the type approvals are granted, the operators will take the products seriously." Lehlokoe did not disclose the names of the operators.
Based on the feedback the team is receiving at the moment, there seems to be a lot of support for the made in SA aspect, says Lehlokoe. He notes its pricing, and the specifications offered at that cost point, are "hitting the sweet spot".
Lehlokoe says those who have played with the devices are keen to buy them. "We are very encouraged by this and we are proceeding full steam ahead."
An ITWeb poll on the devices showed that, of the 174 people who voted, 16% would steer clear of the devices, 51% would wait and see if it was worth the money, and 43% would support the companies because they are South African.
The poll is not definitive due to its limited scope and also does not represent the companies' target market, as Lehlokoe aims to get more people connected to the Internet.
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