AI Zuzi: The Warm Chatbot Going Viral as a Lifeline for Violence Victims in South Africa

Imagine a virtual “auntie” who’s always there at midnight, ready to listen without judgment, while quietly saving evidence of your threats. That’s Zuzi, the AI chatbot from the Grit app, now taking the world by storm. Created by South African innovator Leonora Tima, Zuzi isn’t just smart tech — she’s a secret ally for thousands of gender-based violence (GBV) survivors in a country where femicide rates are five times the global average.

It all started with tragedy in 2020: Leonora’s 19-year-old pregnant relative was brutally murdered, but the case vanished from media and police attention. “Her death was treated as normal in our society,” Leonora told the BBC in a recent interview. That heartbreak sparked Grit — Gender Rights in Tech — a nonprofit platform using technology to empower victims. Launched early 2025, Grit now has 13,000 users and handles 10,000 support requests monthly. Zuzi, rolled out last month, became the breakout star.

What makes Zuzi special? Co-designed with women in Cape Town townships, the chatbot acts as a “bibi” (aunt figure) — warm, empathetic, and speaking in relatable, local language, not cold lawyer-speak or police jargon. Users can anonymously share experiences of abuse, get instant legal guidance, and connect to local support. The standout feature? The Evidence Vault, which securely stores photos of injuries or threatening messages — immune to deletion or phone seizures. There’s even a panic button that summons security in minutes. “This AI gives victims control over their abuse,” says Leonora. Surprisingly, men use it too — both perpetrators seeking anger management and male survivors needing a safe space.

The app went viral after Leonora showcased Grit at the Feminist Foreign Policy Conference in Paris, backed by the Gates Foundation, Mozilla, and the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation. X and TikTok exploded with success stories: “Zuzi saved my life from an abusive husband,” wrote one anonymous user. The free app works offline after download — perfect for rural areas with weak signal. But experts like Lisa Vetten caution: AI is great for first-step guidance, but it can’t replace human counselors.

In South Africa, where 53,000 sexual violence cases were reported last year — and thousands more go unreported — Zuzi is a symbol of hope. Leonora says, “This isn’t a project. It’s a necessity.” As Grit expands to WhatsApp and social platforms, one question remains: Can an AI “auntie” finally break the silence around violence? The answer may lie with the survivors now brave enough to speak.(Sources: BBC, iAfrica, France24, and latest reports from Grit.org.)