The digital community is reeling in pain and shock following the sad news of the passing of Mxit founder, Herman Heunis, this week.
BusinessTech Africa has gathered that the Namibian-born Mxit founder passed away on Wednesday following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.
Heunis was diagnosed two years ago and he was a software specialist who went on to establish Swist Group Technologies, a consulting firm that developed various computer programs and software.
Known as a platform to share messages and connect with friends, Mxit was developed by Clockspeed Mobile, the research division of Swist after the tech entrepreneur spotted a void in the messaging market.
“Initially beginning as a multiplayer game based around SMS’s, Mxit became a popular social network app that peaked the interests of financial backers like Naspers in 2007,” reports Memeburn.
“The platform expanded which led to astonishing numbers for the platform, with around 14 million active users.
“Heunis later stepped away from the platform and made a decision to sell Mxit to pursue other interests.”
The website posted that the late entrepreneur facilitated a question and answer session between former United States President Barack Obama and youth across the African continent.
The application was used to engage Obama on Mxit where the youth could question the former statesman using the platform.
“We are very proud to have been asked to be part of a campaign to better understand and engage with African youth,” said Heunis reportedly said at the time.
“We are simply delighted that such an important and influential president understands and acknowledges the power of social networking.”
The messaging or social networking application gained popularity in more than 8 000 mobile devices such as BlackBerry, iPhone, Android, and tablets during its rise to prominence.
However, the app was forced to close its doors in 2016 following a public statement that indicated a dramatic drop in user numbers.
According to Mybroadband, Heunis turned his focus to his hobbies such as Photography, travelling, wine, and olive making among others – details of his memorial service remain sketchy as things stand.
Main Image: Herman Heunis/Twitter
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