21-year-old builds car from scrap

Phyliss Kachere
Deputy News Editor (Convergence)

In a feat that has left the whole suburb in awe, a 21-year-old Kuwadzana man, Panashe Nyamupingidza and his friend Simbarashe Mungate, who neither have Ordinary Level education nor formal training, have built a wire vehicle using scrap material.

In his early years, he would repair radio and television sets and became a popular figure in his neighbourhood for this.

He even tubed and did solar installation at the family home in Nyamweda, Mhondoro.

“The car that I have invented uses a 200 cubic centimetre (cc) head which, means, if we convert the 200 cc to horse power, it is a 7,5 horse power engine. This engine can function on a pump, compressor or generator and most machines. It uses kinetic transmission and this is where it gets the auto drive. The kinetic pedal moves the rear small gearbox which then moves the three sprockets in sequence with the third one moving the axle. The car then gets the drive,”

Panashe is working on improving the prototype he would name “Honester”.

“I was not a sharp learner in school. In fact, when I enrolled for Form One at Nyamweda Secondary School (a rural day school in Mhondoro), the science teacher transferred. We spent the whole year without a science teacher. Another teacher who was meant to take over joined the school during the third term of my Form 2, but he too, left soon after.

“I have no science or physics education background from school. I did not even write the Ordinary Level science or physics examination. But from primary school, I have always had an inquisitive and mechanical mind. This has pushed me to carry out little physics, electrical and mechanical engineering experiments,” said Panashe in an interview from his base in Norton’s Galloway suburb.

Nyamweda Secondary School where Panashe and his friend and assistant, Simbarashe, went to school, was poorly resourced and did not even have an innovation hub where they could have learnt a thing or two to help in their inventions. He said he has a natural gift in science.

Panashe always wished to create both mechanical and electrical inventions, which has led him to improvise as he made some of these creations.

“I started collecting some scrap and deformed steel bars which I used to build the body of this mobile wire car. I started working on building it in 2020. I work with Simbarashe and he acts as my assistant.

“I come up with plans and designs for most of the inventions and I document them. I then explain to him what we need to do and we work on our designs. I also do construction work and this takes most of my time.

“I have made several designs and I have a keen interest in energy where I will be concentrating my efforts. I am also in the process of registering patents for all my designs and inventions. I am working with dream builder, Mr Ignatius Munengwa, who has also become my mentor. My wish is for my car to be Zimbabwe’s first invention. We already have the materials for its development,” said Panashe.

He received some informal training at Matake Arts Centre where he learnt mechanical and electrical skills.

His mother, Mrs Perpertual Chirikure-Nyamupingidza, said Panashe still does not know the results of his O Level examinations as he could not collect them after failing to pay school fees in full.

“Panashe did not sit for any science subject at O Level. Even for the few other subjects that we managed to register him, he has not yet collected the results due to non-payment of fees. He was not a sharp learner at school, but he had a mechanical mind and he was always creating mechanical and electrical objects from scratch.

“When he was in primary school, he created a small grinding mill. It was small, but it could grind maize into mealie meal. That is when I began to appreciate that my son had a natural gift in him. I want to thank the Government for creating an enabling environment where the youngsters can do their creations and display them. I am happy that he is not being idle, which may lead him to drug and substance abuse.

A neighbour, Mr David Masanganise, said he used to encourage and help Panashe when he started collecting scrap metal which he used to build the car.

“He would consult me on how to go about it. He has a creative mind. He is self-taught on most skills, including welding. I would lend him my welding machine and he would find his way using it,” said Mr Masanganise.

Some critics on social media have been quick to dismiss Panashe’s innovation, likening it to Daniel Chingoma’s helicopter who they accused of trying to reinvent the wheel, but others have encouraged technology centres, universities’ and colleges’ innovation hubs to help Panashe develop and fulfil his dream.

Writing on micro-blogging site X, formerly Twitter, blogger Uncle FK™ tagged global car manufacturers with a message, “here is your future design engineer. Please give him a chance and opportunity to do his best”.