Behind the name "Hwindi"

Hwindi is a slang name used in Zimbabwe to describe the touts or rank marshals or conductor that have become a common feature across the country at all bus termini and in public transportation. Although most people in the country have had at least one bad experience with a “hwindi” but there are also good and funny stories to tell about a “hwindi”. Basically a “hwindi” is a person who advertises, through shouting destinations of public transportation to potential passengers (touting) then collects a commission.

Furthermore, as shown in definition of a “hwindi” on Wikipedia (see below Hwindi on Wikipedia), he’s primary responsibilities include:

•           Communicating efficiently with people;

•           Accepting payments from commuters;

•           Tallying up payments due for the trip;

•           Calling passers-by to the commuter omnibus; 

Hence, it is on the back of the popularity of the term “hwindi” and the similarity between his duties and the functions of the application that we have adopted the name Hwindi for this application. We believe that with widespread brand visibility, the name by itself will rouse curiosity amongst the general public; this contributing to the number of potential users of the app. 

Hwindi – Shona Wikipedia

Hwindi zvinoreva munhu anoshanda muKombi kana Emergency Taxi anobata mari achiitambira kubva kuvanhu vanenge vafamba nemuchovha uyu. Basa rahwindi rinosanganisira kukokera vanhu kuti vauye vapinde mubhazi kana muchovha waari kushandira.

MaHWINDI ane S.T.A.E.R.A