South African social networking and chat app Mxit makes an entry into India, its first stop outside of the African Continent.

Spelt Mix It, the African App works on over 8,000 types of mobile phones and tablets. It works both on feature and smartphones.

The company roped in the South African cricketer Gary Kirsten, who is known well in India, to launch the app.

Unlike the others, Mxit has decided to have a significant physical presence in the country and a phased growth plan to penetrate the market unlike the most of its peers.

Apart from South Africa, it has presence in Nigeria and Kenya, with an active user base of 7.4 million globally.

The company is planning to tie-ups with telecom firms to offer free data when people use the app and manufacturers to provide it embedded in the phones.

The company is betting on its ability to offer powerful chat service even on feature phones (basic handsets) with an Internet connection.

“We are planning to introduce regional chat facilities in Telugu, Tamil, Marathi and seven other local languages apart from Hindi,” Sam rufus Nallaraj, Chief Executive Officer of Mxit India Private Ltd, said.

“In the first 18 months, we will focus on Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Mumbai and Delhi. After consolidating our presence, we will expand to four more States in the subsequent three months,” he said.