16-Year-Old South African Innovator Bohlale Mphahlele Unveils “Alerting Earpiece” to Combat Gender-Based Violence

At just 16 years old, South African innovator Bohlale Mphahlele is already redefining what youth-driven impact looks like. Her groundbreaking invention, the Alerting Earpiece, is a discreet safety device designed to help combat gender-based violence by empowering potential victims with real-time emergency support.

How the Alerting Earpiece Works

The Alerting Earpiece is more than just a wearable accessory. The device is engineered to discreetly capture images of attackers, transmit live GPS location data, and instantly send distress alerts to trusted contacts when activated. Built with personal safety in mind, the innovation aims to give users a crucial edge during dangerous situations.

In regions where gender-based violence remains a pressing concern, the technology offers a proactive layer of protection. By combining image capture, location tracking, and rapid alert systems into a compact earpiece, Bohlale’s invention addresses both immediate response and evidence gathering.

Recognition at the Eskom Expo

Bohlale’s brilliance has not gone unnoticed. Her invention earned top honors at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, one of South Africa’s most prestigious platforms for student innovation. The recognition has propelled the Alerting Earpiece closer to market readiness, with discussions underway about refining and commercialising the product.

Youth Innovation Driving Social Change

Bohlale Mphahlele represents a new generation of African innovators using technology to tackle real-world challenges. Her work highlights how young minds can create practical solutions to deeply rooted social issues. At a time when conversations around safety and empowerment are gaining global attention, her invention stands as a powerful reminder that innovation knows no age.

Young. Brilliant. Purpose-driven. This is what impact looks like.