Incompetence is Tolerated in South Africa: Review of Nedbank’s Avo app reveals a worrying state of affairs

Incompetence is Tolerated in South Africa: Review of Nedbank’s Avo app reveals a worrying state of affairs
Review of Nedbank’s Avo app reveals a worrying state of affairs

Incompetent. This sums up the security organs South Africans depended on for protection during the recent turmoil across Gauteng and KZN.

The bad news is that incompetence does not just exist in these state departments.

Perhaps the main hindrance to this country’s economic prosperity is that accepting mediocrity is the order of the day.

The existence of Avo, on the digital landscape of a country hoped to be the continent’s technological leader, is proof that the standards are incredibly low.

Avo’s demise begins with the bank’s failure to describe it.

Marketers say, ‘a confused mind never buys,’ yet, Nedbank’s writing team seemed set on leaving readers baffled.

What stands out from the mouthful of text describing the app is that it is an app for people who hate leaving their home but need a plumber and need everything.

A fictional target market.

Using the app only heightens confusion.

There is a lack of harmony as you move from one section to the next.

If you have ever worked on a group essay, you will remember needing to combine and format the different team member contributions into one final cohesive document.

The Avo team pressed submit without formatting.

The top section adheres to the brand’s colour scheme and is about groceries, eating out, shopping and liquor.

It is promptly followed by scrolling images. The speed at which they are changing implies that they are not meant to be read.

The outstanding text from the three interchanging images reads: “a R399 panic button, Sunday brunches and big credit.”

Your eyes will then land on a sudden burst of colour under a section which lists professional home services. The leading items of which are alarm systems and armed response.

At this point of the home screen, the consumer has been informed that they should buy groceries, a R399 panic button, during Sunday brunch while thinking about alarm systems.

Make of that what you will.

The greatest frustration from the experience with Avo is the knowledge that Nedbank has received feedback on the app and yet they continue to maintain its appalling state.

Customers have left numerous reviews complaining about the design, accessibility, usability, and technical bugs of Avo.

One of these reviews sums up the app: “This app is an embarrassment. A bad joke. Seriously looks like a school kids homework project.’’

Is this remarkable ineptitude reflective of a tech skills shortage or of gate-keeping that prevents qualified personnel from accessing positions of influence?

If the spotlight is shone on various institutes and companies in this country, it may reveal a similar story of bureaucracy protecting broken systems and amateurish leadership.

It is no surprise that Businesstech warns of an increase in South Africa’s brain drain.

We cannot expect brilliant minds to find motivation in a country where incompetence is tolerated.

You can do better Nedbank!

The Authority

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