Photo: Pixabay
Five incredible South African innovations that made headlines in 2020
From eco-friendly shark barriers to special soccer boots, here are five incredible South African innovations that made headlines in 2020.
Photo: Pixabay
This year has not been all doom and gloom, with many South Africans pushing the boundaries when it comes to incredible innovations. After we looked at 12 Incredible inventions to make you feel Proudly South African, here are five South African innovations that made headlines in 2020:
The Para-Tube
Raised in Laudium, Pretoria, Portia Mavhungu is the inventor of the Para-Tube, a retrofitted seat that fits in any chair with a built-in toilet using disposable, biodegradable bags giving independence and dignity to its users.
A major accident in 2011 which saw her with a broken pelvis saw her spending part of her recovery in a wheelchair in which she experienced first hand the loss of independence and dignity which comes with it as she needed assistance getting to the toilet. Although initially depressed, Portia recognised that she was in this situation temporarily and thought about all the other people for who it was a permanent situation. This led her to start thinking of ways to solve the issue resulting in the development of the Para-Tube. The Para-Tube itself is made from off-the-shelf components in order to keep costs down for the end users.
Special Soccer Boots
Musa Maluleka, who has developed Disktjie, a South African soccer boot brand with innovative features, was the winner in the General Business Category (Category 4) of the first national Entrepreneurship Intervarsity Competition back in 2019. His unique soccer boot design won him R10 000, which he intends to plough back into the business, particularly in new business development.
It is said that dusty fields and gravel grounds punctuated by youngsters kicking ball are common sights in South Africa’s townships. For many people this is just about the game; but for Maluleka, the dusty fields are where his business idea was born.
He went on to establish his soccer boot brand, which is considered to be the first of its kind on the African continent, made to withstand all kinds of conditions.
Eco-friendly shark barriers
Earlier this year, a new eco-friendly shark barrier system was been invented by a team of South African scientists and conservationists.
These new barriers can go a long way in protecting sharks and humans from each other, and is a viable alternative to nets which can cause more harm than good. It is said that following a shark attack, local governments often rapidly respond by implementing shark culls. These culls have been demonstrated to have substantial localized and adverse effects on a variety of marine organisms.
Therefore, a new product called the SharkSafe Barrier was made in order to bio-mimic the visual effects of a kelp forest, which, combined with a series of permanent magnetic stimuli, form a barrier that dissuades sharks from passing through. This product can ultimately be the first 100% effective eco-friendly technology to protect humans from sharks without harming marine life.
Environmentally Friendly Sanitation Systems
In March this year, two South African companies joined forces to create hands-free handwashing solutions, which can be placed in informal settlements countrywide and installed in less than six hours.
It is said that a partnership with Environsan Sanitation Solutions and Jojo resulted in the creation of hands-free wash facilities to address school and urban informal settlements’ hygiene and sanitation challenges.
The handsfree wash, known as EaziWash facilities, is made up of self-closing and self-cleaning taps and basins that are activated with the back of the user’s hands, minimising the potential spread of germs and bacteria on the wash facilities.
Africa’s largest computer science education nonprofit
Earlier this year, in order to ensure that the principles of social distancing and the national lockdown are adhered to, Africa Teen Geeks launched their digital school. MsZora, an artificial-intelligence-based educational platform, offered lockdown classes – as digital learning and free online textbooks form an integral part of our existing.
“Multi-dimensional interventions to contribute to the upliftment of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education in South Africa. During this time of crisis, these resources are becoming even more relevant in ensuring that our children’s development continues to be supported,” said Anacletta Koloko, programme practitioner, corporate affairs, Sasol Foundation.
