A new Zambian social network called PULCE was recently launched . Here we have an exclusive interview with the creator of the social network ,Iyembi Nkanza
KAPA187: Who is Iyembi Nkanza?
IYEMBI NKANZA: I am an ambitious and driven 25-year-old Zambian entrepreneur. I was born and bred in Lusaka and attended The International School of Lusaka. I moved on to the University of Cape Town where I completed a BCOM Degree in Law and Economics followed by a BCOM Honors Degree in Financial Analysis & Portfolio Management. I am determined and passionate about bringing my ideas to life in order to fulfill my destiny and add value to the world.
KAPA187: Give us a brief description of your social media platform, Pulce
IYEMBI NKANZA: Pulce is a social network that allows users to express how they feel accurately using emoticons. This ease allows you to determine the sentiment of a large number of people, as opposed to simplistic “likes” or the time consuming task of reading numerous tweets.
The connections page shows a representation of a breakdown of all your friends in real time.
KAPA187: What was your inspiration to create it?
IYEMBI NKANZA: I make use of social networks to keep in touch with friends and through this experience I realized the difficulty in determining the sentiment of a large number of people.
For example, I would like to instantly see a breakdown of how all my Facebook friends are feeling. I would also like to instantly determine how fans of Kanye West feel about his new album.
This is a painstaking (and often inaccurate) task in the noisy social media world at the moment. Pulce is designed to answer that problem.
KAPA187: How does Pulce differ from other established social media platforms such as Facebook and twitter?
IYEMBI NKANZA: Facebook is centered on pictures.
Twitter is centered on 140 character updates.
Pulce is centered on emotions. Emoticons can sometimes encapsulate a feeling so well that words are not required. If we all used an emoticon to express emotions about a certain topic we would be able to quickly determine general sentiment i.e. Pulce.
KAPA187: Who are the targeted users of Pulce and why?
IYEMBI NKANZA: I know that it is ill advised to “spray and pray” but rather focus on a target market. Nevertheless, I believe that Pulce will be useful to a wide range of people.
- Everyday social networkers that would like to keep up to date with their many friends
- Celebrities that would like to understand the sentiment of their fans
- Radio shows tracking the emotions of their listeners in real time
- Companies tracking brand sentiment
- Governments that would like to hear the voice of its people more clearly.
KAPA187: Do you feel that Pulce will become part of people’s everyday lives?
IYEMBI NKANZA:My goal is to solve a global problem and I know that the key to this lies in execution. If people like the website and grow to love our brand I do believe Pulce will become a part of everyday life, much like other social networks.
KAPA187: As a young Zambian entrepreneur, what challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?
IYEMBI NKANZA: When you are on a journey to bring an idea to life there will be constant challenges. The biggest challenge was overcoming the fear of failure. I overcame this by leaning on my faith in God and trusting that I am moving in the direction that was meant for me. I have learnt to be comfortable in discomfort, knowing that stepping out of my comfort zone will lead to growth.
KAPA187: Tell us what you do in your spare time
IYEMBI NKANZA: These days I use most of my spare time to work on the website and continuously improve it. Otherwise I love listening to music, Dj-ing, traveling and reading business/entrepreneurship books.
KAPA187: Are you inspired by Mark Zuckerberg, do you feel you will reach his level of success?
IYEMBI NKANZA: I am inspired by anyone who has changed the world for the better, and Mark Zuckerberg is certainly in that category. I cannot say whether Pulce will reach Facebook’s level of success, but my goal is to create a product that will change the way the world communicates online. The high density of mobile phones in Africa is an opportunity that I plan to use to achieve widespread uptake.
KAPA187: Where do you see yourself and your social media platform in the next 10 years
IYEMBI NKANZA: I hope Pulce grows to become a tool used track global sentiment across different groups. The explosion of social media is testament to the fact that people want to be heard, I want Pulce to enhance the voice of the people.
Regardless of the outcome I am determined to add value to Zambia (and Africa). I will continue to be driven by faith and pursue goals that will shine a light on Africa’s vast potential.
KAPA187: What words of advice do you have for other young Zambian entrepreneurs?
IYEMBI NKANZA: Dream big; do not limit yourself to possibilities within your immediate surrounding. Think about how your idea can help the world.
-Even if you do not have the expertise/funding/contacts, use what you have at your disposal right now and start making positive steps towards your dreams. I guarantee that miracles happen when faith is backed by action.
-Follow your passion. If you have an idea that torments your mind, dare to give it life and make it a reality.
You can view the website at www.pulce.co.za
“
Movement page : A Movement is an initiative or cause that anyone can start. Users are able to join and express emotions.”
BY KAPA187
Show off to your family, not to Zambians even if you mean good. Ask Clive Chirwa, from a hero to a zero now.
Iyo kwena so is it now a crime for people to have innovative ideas please?! iyo ni bu PHD—such a mentality is the main reason why Zambia wont develop…kalijo…so bitter for nothing!
Ma jealous? just checking…..
Jealous?? Its an advice to your youngsters, stay calm, focused and find solid employment. Stay out of these Facebooks etc, and most important work for your families not to impress your friends on facebooks etc. Infact this story was supposed to stay on Facebook, not here.
Count comments he will gather if gets more than 20 comments, please claim $100 from me.
I just heard G.W.Bush is in Livingstone, that is news.
If you want to find employment and be content with working for someone for the rest of your life, then please go ahead! Some of us, including this bright young man want to achieve more in their lives, so don’t belittle others ambition. You don’t realise that ideas such as these creates jobs, empowers people, and give young people the courage and inspiration to do more, and be more! open your eyes and strive for more in your life Nostradamus… And its ironic your views are so limited, because Nostradamus was a 16th century astrologist and seer that looked to the stars and believed in the change of the world…, He’s not just a rapper…. how belittling that the name is wasted on such.
Nostradamus u are one jealous, uneducated bafoon… this is how your beloved jobs are created or are you one of those Kunta-Kinte slave minded ***** who believes a black person is incapable of creating an impact in zambia. Social media and technology giants in america are all youths below the age of 40 and richer than so many people. This Idea is heavily innovative and unlike the other social networks he as even added a businss model to it already that i set to be a success of not even bought out by the tech giants. So please Nostradamus can you leave your insensitive, uneducated comments out of this great innovative peace and leave it to us that understand the tech world and the national development and job creation that it can easily bring to a nation. 41% Of USA investment is in tech.
Good Day!
My dear kindly do provide me your contact no. so that we can in touch so I would assist and help you out to get you a car of your dream and for your business too.
we have Our Stock Already in Dar-es-Salam as well for your ease.
Also please feel free to add me on Skype my id is : rehan.cjc
Thank You
Regards;
Mohammad Rehan
Business Developer & Key Account Executive
Skype: rehan.cjc
Phone : +8190 9685 6566
+8190 6512 7444
Fax: +8148 4862 300
Website : http://www.carjunction.com/
Iyembi, you are an inspiration to this country’s youths. Keep the good work, and may the God of our Fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob prosper you.
i see
why do you have my name??
I am i inspired!! keep up the good work,man. Am sure your creativity will pay off someday.
Ikali. But if you are a Zambian enter..fimo fimo, why hosting your site on a South African domain? It gives users the impression that the brains behind it are in SA. Are you ashamed of being associtated with Zambian technology.
I live in Cape Town so it’s more convenient to host with a local provider
Kanz, if your target is the globe, then you need to migrate the site to a .com domain name.
If you leave it on the .co.za you are implying that your target audience is the South African population.
wow.. if you really want to prosper in life its always good not to think like an African, poverty is a state of mind. My brother you are going far in life, very innovative and i like. be blessed and may your ideas shock you and the world.
wow.. if you really want to prosper in life its always good not to think like an African, poverty is a state of mind. My brother you are going far in life, very innovative and i like. be blessed and may your ideas and success shock you and the world.
Social networks will be the demise of human intelligence and relationships. Not this idea, I can how many people will be drawn to it, but the bulk of social networking itself. People grow accustomed to communicating by tweets and statuses, and less accustomed to real conversations. Emoticons and statuses are poor substitutions for talking to someone, and people are encouraged to post everything they’re thinking and feeling instead of filtering out the boring, mundane, *****ic, repetitive and pointless that they might if they were talking to a person. But I think this man will make money off this site.
Wow Brother!! Two thumbs up from me.
Don’t worry about the Old school Bible generation, his never developed anything in his life and his only waiting for death!
Congrats future Bill Gates!
Zed Bill Gates!
Uyo “Amus”!! Life is passing behind his B.U.T.T! Butt!
My brother ‘Two Thumbs up from me’.
Make us Proud!
Nostradamus u are one jealous, uneducated bafoon… this is how your beloved jobs are created or are you one of those Kunta-Kinte slave minded fools who believes a black person is incapable of creating an impact in zambia. Social media and technology giants in america are all youths below the age of 40 and richer than so many people. This Idea is heavily innovative and unlike the other social networks he as even added a businss model to it already that i set to be a success of not even bought out by the tech giants. So please Nostradamus can you leave your insensitive, uneducated comments out of this great innovative peace and leave it to us that understand the tech world and the national development and job creation that it can easily bring to a nation. 41% Of USA investment is in tech.
keep it up home boy
Good Day!
My dear kindly do provide me your contact no. so that we can in touch so I would assist and help you out to get you a car of your dream and for your business too.
we have Our Stock Already in Dar-es-Salam as well for your ease.
Also please feel free to add me on Skype my id is : rehan.cjc
Thank You
Regards;
Mohammad Rehan
Business Developer & Key Account Executive
Skype: rehan.cjc
Phone : +8190 9685 6566
+8190 6512 7444
Fax: +8148 4862 300
Website : http://www.carjunction.com/
Wonder shall never end!!!. HOW DO YOU ALLOW A BROKE ASS NIGA LIKE MUTEMBO NCHITO to run the affairs of the so called now defunct Zambian airways? What does he know about the airline Industry? This country has really gone to the Dogs! You and I know that his mindset belongs to the dark ages.
Wonder shall never end!!!. HOW DO YOU ALLOW A BROKE ASS NIGA LIKE MUTEMBO NCHITO to run the affairs of the so called now defunct Zambian airways? What does he know about the airline Industry? This country has really gone to the Dogs! You and I know that his mindset belongs to the dark ages.
Please don’t Insult the integrity of world renowned British Billionaire, Sir Richard Branson by trying to equate him with a low down dirty niga in the middle of an African jungle like MUTEMBO NCHITO. Please…