21 May Bohlale Mphahlele’s Brilliant Earpiece Is Fighting GBV

At just 16, this Limpopo learner is leading the charge for safer streets and stronger futures.

When Bohlale Mphahlele first learned about gender-based violence and human trafficking, she didn’t just feel afraid — she got inspired to act.

Now 16 and in Grade 11 at SJ van der Merwe Technical High School, Bohlale is the brains behind a game-changing invention that’s putting safety back in the hands of girls and women.

Meet the “Alerting Earpiece”

Think of it as an earring with superpowers. The earpiece looks like a regular piece of jewellery, but it’s equipped with a hidden camera that can take pictures of a potential attacker. It also tracks the wearer’s location and sends this information — along with the images — to pre-selected contacts in real time.

In emergencies, that kind of technology can be the difference between getting help and going unheard.

Innovation with Heart

“I used to watch the news with my dad a lot,” Bohlale shared. “I saw how many people were being hurt, especially women and children. I knew I had to try and do something.”

Her drive to protect others earned her a bronze medal at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, where she competed in the engineering and embedded systems category. But more than the medal, it’s her mission that shines.

Turning Pain into Progress

South Africa continues to face shockingly high levels of gender-based violence — with stats up to five times the global average. Bohlale’s invention isn’t just smart, it’s needed.

She hopes to study nanotechnology after school, using science to solve real-world problems, one invention at a time.

“Bohlale is proof that age doesn’t limit impact,” said Limpopo Education MEC Polly Boshielo. “Her idea is a powerful reminder that innovation, when rooted in compassion, can help rewrite the future.”

Her story reminds us: the future isn’t just female — it’s fierce, fearless, and forward-thinking.