In some respects it is shameful that Google will take our (South African's) money through AdWord campaigns etc but will not allow us to generate income through access to a developer merchant account.
Kindly consider the views of the folk who have signed this petition and consider the facility in this region.
D
Dumisani
9 years ago
Guys can we have Google merchant account enabled already
M
Morne lotze
9 years ago
No comment needed
T
Thomas
9 years ago
Please, we need to have this service running in our country
A
Anonymous
9 years ago
leticia3
R
Renier Jacobs
9 years ago
Let's make it happen why are whe left out of all development opportunities
C
christo
9 years ago
In order to move forward, change needs to happen.
R
Rathi Boyder
9 years ago
Devastated that development is allowed but not merchant accounts in SA
T
Tebogo Sibiya
9 years ago
Understanding the laws and regulatory processes that may need passing through, we as developers, the passionate ones that is do not mind going through that. Knowing also that laws can change, we are willing to go the appropriate offices asking for a relaxing of certain rules which may reveal themselves to be quite, shall I say, pointless. If Google can change their mind, then surely can our people. Or maybe it has to happen vise-versa
M
Mark Osborne
9 years ago
Please add Google...you are holding us back and it's not fair!!
T
Tafadzwa Chin'ombe
9 years ago
Please south Africa has to be included
S
Shannon
9 years ago
To be realistic, I don't think it's Google's fault that South Africa isn't given merchant access. I read up an article denoting the many struggles a South African game developer would have to go through just to get a snippet of cash from their games. There are just too many obstacles in South Africa that warrants Google to essentially consider SA a dead country, undeserving of merchant privileges.
There are laws permitted that would actually hold back someone from publishing a game in South Africa, or risk criminal charges. By laws, I mean just one: The Film and Publication Amendment Bill (FPB). It's basically a law enforced to stop the screening of excessive violence, child pornography on the internet and so forth. So if you wanted to publish a game, it would have to be rated in accordance to the FPB, and, by golly, it's strict - with little room for transparency. If your game isn't rated and you decided, "Screw this crazy law! It's just unfair!" and publish it any, then it's jail time for you, buddy (South Africa is the only country in the WORLD that has this).
That isn't the only challenge. Reserve Bank, anyone? Say you make a game; it's a great game. It looks like it will guarantee you profit if you publish it in South Africa (forget Google Play for now), which is practically uncharted territory for local, big-budget entertainment. You barely manage to get it FBP rated and now its out there, for any local to buy. Surely the money would be rolling soon, right? Well, yes and no. Yes, the money will come, but you're not going to get all of it, I'm afraid. Yep, a chunk of that is going to the Reserve Bank. Although it might seem minuscule if your game is selling like a Bar One cake in a cake sale, for those who are struggling to get money back for all their hard work on their intellectual property, the Reserve Bank would seem like public enemy No. 1.
Just another reason why Google's saying, "Nope! We don't want to start a fight with your country by messing
J
Junaid Sherriff
9 years ago
I have no idea as to what obstacles are at play for South Africa to not be granted the opportunity to be able to get access to a merchant account. Feedback on this matter would clarify this issue and perhaps we can work together to come up with a solution to benefit all.
N
Nigel
9 years ago
please, just grant the permission
C
Craig Bruton
9 years ago
We need government or IT body support to change Google's decision on this.
J
Jako E
9 years ago
Featured
This is shameful - Google is not helping innovation in South Africa. It's mind boggling that as of Nov 2016, SA is not on the list of supported countries
F
Farai Chakarisa
9 years ago
Not allowing a google merchant account is completely counter productive. People could make a living developing applications. I think it's pretty unfair that we're essentially being told that it's better to be out of South Africa as a mobile/game developer when the country itself has so much potential to utilise this opportunity. You're basically chasing away people that could very well help improve and popularise South Africa. I'm all for this petition. I hope change comes soon.
P
Pieter
9 years ago
How can SA not be supported? Even Nigeria, Egypt is supported
We need this!
Help South Africa become great again, Google.
In some respects it is shameful that Google will take our (South African's) money through AdWord campaigns etc but will not allow us to generate income through access to a developer merchant account. Kindly consider the views of the folk who have signed this petition and consider the facility in this region.
Guys can we have Google merchant account enabled already
No comment needed
Please, we need to have this service running in our country
leticia3
Let's make it happen why are whe left out of all development opportunities
In order to move forward, change needs to happen.
Devastated that development is allowed but not merchant accounts in SA
Understanding the laws and regulatory processes that may need passing through, we as developers, the passionate ones that is do not mind going through that. Knowing also that laws can change, we are willing to go the appropriate offices asking for a relaxing of certain rules which may reveal themselves to be quite, shall I say, pointless. If Google can change their mind, then surely can our people. Or maybe it has to happen vise-versa
Please add Google...you are holding us back and it's not fair!!
Please south Africa has to be included
To be realistic, I don't think it's Google's fault that South Africa isn't given merchant access. I read up an article denoting the many struggles a South African game developer would have to go through just to get a snippet of cash from their games. There are just too many obstacles in South Africa that warrants Google to essentially consider SA a dead country, undeserving of merchant privileges. There are laws permitted that would actually hold back someone from publishing a game in South Africa, or risk criminal charges. By laws, I mean just one: The Film and Publication Amendment Bill (FPB). It's basically a law enforced to stop the screening of excessive violence, child pornography on the internet and so forth. So if you wanted to publish a game, it would have to be rated in accordance to the FPB, and, by golly, it's strict - with little room for transparency. If your game isn't rated and you decided, "Screw this crazy law! It's just unfair!" and publish it any, then it's jail time for you, buddy (South Africa is the only country in the WORLD that has this). That isn't the only challenge. Reserve Bank, anyone? Say you make a game; it's a great game. It looks like it will guarantee you profit if you publish it in South Africa (forget Google Play for now), which is practically uncharted territory for local, big-budget entertainment. You barely manage to get it FBP rated and now its out there, for any local to buy. Surely the money would be rolling soon, right? Well, yes and no. Yes, the money will come, but you're not going to get all of it, I'm afraid. Yep, a chunk of that is going to the Reserve Bank. Although it might seem minuscule if your game is selling like a Bar One cake in a cake sale, for those who are struggling to get money back for all their hard work on their intellectual property, the Reserve Bank would seem like public enemy No. 1. Just another reason why Google's saying, "Nope! We don't want to start a fight with your country by messing
I have no idea as to what obstacles are at play for South Africa to not be granted the opportunity to be able to get access to a merchant account. Feedback on this matter would clarify this issue and perhaps we can work together to come up with a solution to benefit all.
please, just grant the permission
We need government or IT body support to change Google's decision on this.
This is shameful - Google is not helping innovation in South Africa. It's mind boggling that as of Nov 2016, SA is not on the list of supported countries
Not allowing a google merchant account is completely counter productive. People could make a living developing applications. I think it's pretty unfair that we're essentially being told that it's better to be out of South Africa as a mobile/game developer when the country itself has so much potential to utilise this opportunity. You're basically chasing away people that could very well help improve and popularise South Africa. I'm all for this petition. I hope change comes soon.
How can SA not be supported? Even Nigeria, Egypt is supported