Let’s Talk Bi

The Let’s Talk platform is a mobile application and web-based communication tool developed by the South African software company Saya Setona. Designed to enhance the relationship between local government and citizens, the platform provides a centralized, AWS-powered digital interface for real-time interaction. It enables citizens to report service delivery issues, such as vandalism or infrastructure challenges, and participate in municipal decision-making processes. By replacing manual, fragmented communication channels with a unified digital system, the platform aims to foster transparency, accountability, and improved service delivery at the municipal level.

The application is intended to bridge the gap between government officials and their constituencies, particularly in marginalized communities, townships, and rural areas where traditional engagement methods are often inaccessible. Originally developed through grassroots research, the solution has been piloted in several South African municipalities—such as the Thulamela Local Municipality—often in partnership with organizations like the United Nations Development Program and the South African Local Government Association. By utilizing scalable cloud infrastructure, the platform supports high volumes of citizen interactions, aiming to assist governments in managing resources more effectively and ensuring that public services remain accessible to all citizens during both routine operations and times of crisis.