Is the app available yet? Mthatha Connect is our founding platform and is currently being prepared for launch. Additional Connect platforms will follow in phases.

Is Mzansi City Pulse available only in one town? No. Mzansi City Pulse is a growing network of City Connect, Regional Connect and Destination Connect platforms designed for communities across South Africa.

How do I bring Connect to my town? Visit the Contact Us page and complete the Bring Connect to Your Town enquiry form.

Will I be able to find emergency services? Yes. Connect platforms are designed to include essential services such as hospitals, police stations, fire services, ambulance contacts, and municipal offices where available.

Can healthcare facilities update their information? Absolutely. Clinics and healthcare providers can request updates to operating hours, contact details, and services at any time.

I can’t find a service I’m looking for. What should I do? If a business, school, clinic, pharmacy or community service is missing, let us know through the Contact Us page. We’re always expanding our directory and welcome community suggestions.

Can schools request to be listed? Yes. Schools and training institutions can apply for a free listing by contacting us or registering through their local Connect platform.

How often are listings updated? We continuously review and update listings. Business owners and organisations can request changes whenever their information changes.

What do you do with my information? We only use your information to respond to enquiries and provide services in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

What is Mzansi City Pulse? Mzansi City Pulse (Pty) Ltd is a South African technology company building community-focused digital platforms that connect people, businesses, opportunities, and local services.

What is a Connect platform? A Connect platform is a digital home for a town, city, region, or destination. Examples include Mthatha Connect, KwaBhaca Connect, and Wild Coast Connect.

What is a City Connect? A City Connect is a digital platform dedicated to one town or city. It brings together local businesses, jobs, events, community notices, and essential services in one place.

What is a Regional Connect? A Regional Connect serves a group of neighbouring towns within the same region. It connects regional businesses, opportunities, tourism, and community information across multiple communities.

What is a Destination Connect? A Destination Connect focuses on tourism destinations, showcasing attractions, accommodation, restaurants, experiences, events, and visitor services.

How do I search for a specific business? Use the search bar in the Business Directory to search by business name, category, or service across your Connect platform.

Is it free to list my business? Yes. Standard listings are free.

How do I become a Featured Business? Featured Business memberships will open during launch and provide greater visibility within the platform.

Can I update my listing later? Yes. Business owners will be able to request updates to their information whenever their services or contact details change.

How do I report incorrect business information? Contact us through the Contact page, and we’ll review and update the listing

Can my business appear in more than one category? Yes. Businesses offering multiple services may be listed in more than one relevant category to help residents discover them more easily.

Can I find veterinary and agricultural services? Yes. The Animal Health & Agricultural category includes veterinary clinics, feed suppliers, farming equipment, nurseries, and agricultural service providers.

Where can I find gyms, museums and recreational activities? Visit Arts, Sports & Recreation category to discover gyms, sports clubs, museums, cultural centres, parks, and family recreation venues.

How do I find mechanics and automotive services? The Automotive & Transport category lists mechanics, tyre centres, dealerships, auto electricians, towing services, and car care businesses.

Can I locate banks and ATMs? Yes. The Banks, ATMs & Financial Services category helps you find banks, ATMs, insurance providers, and other financial services nearby.

Beauty & Lifestyle

How do I find salons and beauty services in my area? Open the Beauty & Lifestyle category to browse hair salons, barber shops, spas, nail studios, makeup artists, wellness centres, and beauty professionals.

Can independent beauty professionals be listed? Yes. Freelance stylists, barbers, nail technicians, makeup artists, and wellness practitioners can apply to be listed through their local platform.

Faith & Community

Can churches and community organisations be listed? Yes. The Faith & Community category includes churches, temples, mosques, NGOs, community care organisations, and other faith-based or non-profit organisations.

How do I find community support services? Browse the Faith & Community category to discover food relief programmes, youth organisations, counselling services, community projects, and local support initiatives.

Education & Training

How do I find schools and ECD Centres? Visit Education & Training to explore ECD centres, primary and secondary schools, colleges, universities, tutoring centres, libraries, driving schools, and skills development institutions.

Can educational institutions update their information? Absolutely. Schools, colleges, libraries, and training providers ca request updates to their contact details, operating hours, and programmes at any time.

Events & Entertainment

Where can I discover local entertainment venues? Open Events & Entertainment to find event venues, casinos, lounges, bars, theatres, live music venues, and other entertainment destinations.

Will upcoming events also appear here? Yes. The category helps you discover entertainment venues, while the Events section highlights upcoming concerts, festivals, exhibitions, sports events, and community celebrations happening in your area.

Food & Dining

How do I find restaurants and cafes near me? Open the Food & Dining category to discover restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, takeaways, fast food outlets, bakeries, and local dining experiences in your area.

Can food businesses be listed? Yes. Restaurants, cafes, caterers, food trucks, bakeries, and other food businesses can apply for a listing through their local Connect platform.

Fuel & EV Charging

Where can I find nearby filling station? The fuel & EV Charging category helps you locate petrol stations, diesel suppliers, gas and paraffin outlets, convenience stores, and EV charging points.

Will EV charging stations be included? Yes. As electric vehicle infrastructure grows, Connect platforms will include publicly accessible EV charging locations where available.

Funeral Services & Insurance

How do I find funeral homes and burial services? Browse the Funeral Services & Insurance category to funeral homes, burial societies, cremation services, tombstone providers, and memorial support services.

Can insurance providers be listed? Yes. Funeral insurance, life insurance, and other approved insurance providers can be listed within this category.

Health & Wellness

Where can I find clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies? Open Health & Wellness category to locate public and private clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, dentists, gynaecologists, optometrists, psychologists, and other healthcare providers in your community.

Can healthcare facilities update their listings? Absolutely. Healthcare providers can request updates to their contact details, operating hours, and available services.

Home, Hardware & Construction

How do I find hardware stores and building suppliers? Visit Home, Hardware & Construction to browse hardware stores, building material suppliers, plumbers, electricians, painters, contractors, architects, and home improvement services.

Can independent tradespeople be listed? Yes. Qualified plumbers, electricians, carpenters, builders, tilers, tilers, and other home service professionals are welcome to apply for a listing.

Professional Services

How do I find lawyers, accountants, or consultants? Open the Professional Services category and browse verified listings by service type, location, or business name.

Can photographers and creative professionals be listed? Yes. Photographers, videographers, graphic designers, architects, engineers, and other professionals are welcome to create business listings.

Can I list my professional practice? Yes. Independent professionals and registered firms can apply for a free listing, with optional Featured Business visibility.

Public Services

What public services can I find on Connect? You can discover municipal offices, government departments, Home Affairs, SASSA, licencing offices, libraries, and other public service centres available in your area.

Will Connect replace government services? No. Connect is a directory that helps residents find public offices, contact details, locations, and operating information more easily.

Security

What security services are included? The Security category includes guarding companies, CCTV installers, armed response providers, alarm systems, access control, and private investigation services where available.

Can households and businesses request security providers? Yes. Residents and businesses can compare local security companies and contact them directly through their listings.

Shopping & Retail

What types of retailers can be listed? Grocery stores, clothing boutiques, furniture shops, pharmacies, electronic stores, gift shops, hardware retailers, and many other local businesses can be listed.

Are small local shops welcome? Absolutely. Connect is designed to support both independent businesses and larger retail stores within every community.

Shopping Centres

Does Connect include shopping malls and retail centres? Yes. Shopping centres can have dedicated listings featuring their location, trading hours, anchor stores, parking information, and contact details.

Can individual stores inside a mall also be listed? Yes. A shopping centre and its individual businesses may each have their own listing, making it easier for customers to find specific stores.

Transport Terminals

Does Connect include airports, taxi ranks, and bus terminals? Yes. The Transport Terminals category includes airports, long distance bus terminals, taxi ranks, railway stations (where available), and other major transport hubs.

Can I find terminal contact details and operating hours? Yes. Listings may include phone numbers, addresses, operating hours, and helpful travel information where available.

Will I be able to find directions to a transport terminal? Yes. Each terminal listing is designed to provide maps, nearby landmarks, and navigation support to make travel easier.

Transport Services

What transport services are listed on Connect? You can find metered cabs, airport transfers, courier companies, shuttle services, travel agencies, logistics providers, and delivery services.

Can I book a metered cab if my home is in a peri-urban or rural area? Yes. Many metered cab operators accept bookings using landmarks, villages, schools, clinics, churches, or nearby roads where GPS locations are limited.

Does Connect provide emergency or late-night transport numbers? Where available, transport service listings include contact numbers so residents can reach providers directly for bookings and enquiries.

What are Community Notices? Community Notices allow residents to share important non-commercial notices that benefit the local community.

Can I report a missing person? Yes. Missing person notices may be submitted with the person’s details, photograph, last known location, and contact information. All submissions are reviewed before publication.

Can I post about lost and found items? Yes. Lost phones, wallets, ID documents, pets, keys, and other found items can be shared to help reunite owners with their belongings.

Can I publish a community announcement? Yes. Residents may submit notices for volunteer drives, blood donation appeals, neighbourhood meetings, charity initiatives, and other community-focused announcements.

Are funeral announcements allowed? Yes. Funeral and memorial notices are welcome within the Public Community Notices section, subject to the platform’s submission guidelines.

Is there a cost to publish a Public Community Notice? Community Notices are intended as a public community service. Availability and approval may vary depending on the Connect platform’s guidelines.

Can I report a stolen vehicle? Yes. Residents may submit a stolen vehicle notice with the vehicle description, registration number, last known location, date of theft and a SAPS case number where available. All notices are reviewed before publication.

Can hijacking alerts be shared? Yes. Community members may publish verified hijacking alerts to help raise awareness in the affected area. These notices should include the location, time, vehicle details (if applicable), and police reference where available.

Can I report a suspicious or missing vehicle? Yes. If a vehicle has been abandoned or a family is searching for a missing vehicle, a public community notice may be submitted with supporting details and contact information.

Should I report these incidents to Connect instead of SAPS? No. Hijackings, stolen vehicles, and other crimes should first be reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS). Connect serves as a community information platform to help share verified public notices after the appropriate authorities have been notified.

What are Official Community Updates? Official Community Updates are official announcements from municipalities, government departments, public institutions, and verified community partners.

What information is shared here? Residents may find road closures, water and electricity notices, public health campaigns, refuse collection updates, service interruptions, and other important civic announcements.

Are Community Updates verified? Yes. Official Updates are published only from verified government or institutional sources before appearing on Connect.

Can schools and public clinics publish updates? Yes. Verified public schools, clinics, hospitals, libraries, and municipalities may share announcements relevant to their communities.

What is Hustler’s Corner? Hustler’s Corner is a dedicated space for local entrepreneurs, freelancers, artisans, street vendors, and side-hustle businesses to promote their services and connect with customers in their community.

Who can list in Hustler’s Corner? Anyone operating a legitimate small business or side hustle can apply, including hairdressers, plumbers, photographers, nail technicians, tutors, caterers, mechanics, graphic designers, and many more.

How do I get listed? Download the Mthatha Connect app or complete the listing application once registrations open. You’ll submit your business name, contact details, category, location, and a short description of your service and a picture, which will serve as a profile picture.

Is Hustler’s Corner free? Yes. Founding Hustler’s Corner listings are free during our launch phase. Premium visibility options may be introduced in the future.

What information will appear on my listing? Your listing may include: Business or hustle name Contact Number or Whatsapp Category Town or area Short business description Business photo or logo

What is the difference between a Business Directory listing and Hustler’s Corner? The Business Directory is designed for registered businesses, shops, restaurants, and established services, while Hustler’s Corner is focused on independent entrepreneurs, informal businesses, freelancers, and growing side hustles.

Can municipalities partner with Mzansi City Pulse? Yes. We welcome partnerships with municipalities to publish verified Official Community Updates, including service delivery notices, road closures, water and electricity interruptions, public meetings, and civic announcements.

Can schools, clinics, and public institutions become partners? Yes. Schools, healthcare facilities, libraries, universities, and other community institutions may apply to share official updates relevant to their communities.

Can tourism organizations and business chambers partner with Connect? Absolutely. Tourism boards, local business chambers, development agencies, and community organizations can collaborate to promote local economic growth and community engagement.

How do we become an official Community Updates partner? Complete the Official Partnerships enquiry form, select Partnership Enquiry, and our team will contact you to verify your organization and discuss access.

Is there a cost to become a municipal partner? Partnerships are discussed individually based on the services required and the needs of the municipality or institution.

What is the Promotions section? The Promotions section showcases special offers, discounts, product launches, and limited-time deals from businesses listed on a Connect platform.

Who can post a promotion? Any verified business with an active Connect listing can apply to feature a promotion, subject to approval.

How long does a promotion stay live? Promotions run for 30 days before expiring automatically, unless renewed by the business.

What type of promotions are accepted? Retail sales, restaurant specials, salon offers, accommodation deals, seasonal campaigns, opening specials, and service discounts are all welcome.

Can I promote a new business opening? Yes. Grand openings and launch campaigns can be featured in the Promotions section to help businesses reach their local community.

Will residents be able to search promotions? Yes. Users can browse promotions by business category, location, or featured offers available in their Connect area.

Are promotions free? Businesses may have access to promotional opportunities depending on the Connect platform’s current pricing and campaign options.

How do I submit a promotion? Simply create or log into your business listing, upload your promotional artwork and details, choose the promotion period, and submit it for review.