What is MXit?
MXit is an instant messaging application that was launched in 2005 in South Africa. It quickly became very popular among South African youth and teens as a way to communicate with friends and meet new people.
Some key features of MXit:
- Free messaging and voice calls between MXit users
- Works on most feature phones as well as smartphones, tablets and PCs
- Allows sharing of photos, videos and other multimedia
- Public and private chat rooms to meet new people
- Games, quizzes and other entertainment services
- Shopping and payment services for digital goods
- Customizable profiles and avatars
At its peak, MXit had over 50 million registered users in more than 120 countries. Most of its users were based in South Africa where it became a popular part of youth culture. MXit helped connect young people across racial and economic divides in a post-apartheid South Africa.
MXit usage began declining after 2010 due to the growing availability of smartphones and messaging apps like WhatsApp. It was purchased by MX Telecom in 2015 and shut down in 2016, but is still considered an important part of South African technology history.