Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
AT just 17, Gwanda High School pupil Ayanda Sibindi is already thinking beyond the classroom, turning a common challenge faced in moving goods into an invention he believes could make work easier, faster and more environmentally friendly.
He showcased his wooden forklift model at the recently held 68th edition of the annual Matabeleland South Agricultural Show, highlighting his vision of harnessing hydraulic energy and lithium to reduce labour in lifting and moving goods.
Ayanda said his idea was inspired by the amount of labour required to handle goods, prompting him to develop what he sees as a cost-effective, quicker alternative.
He said there was a need to reduce reliance on fuel as a major source of energy and explore hydraulic power and other cleaner alternatives.
What makes his achievement particularly striking is the speed with which he brought the idea to life — Ayanda said it took him just three hours to develop the model.
“I invented a wooden forklift, which uses hydraulic power to function. My invention has syringes, which act as hydraulic pistons and a 20-volt lithium battery to power the wiper motor. To control the lifting process, I’m using a syringe,” he said in an interview.
“This invention is crucial in our day-to-day activities and I would like to see it develop from being just a model to a real forklift. It plays a crucial role in the shipping of equipment and materials. My goal is to build a forklift which can carry heavy loads,” said Ayanda.
In order to develop his invention, the young innovator will need equipment that includes stainless steel, eight 12-volt lithium batteries and 16 wiper motors.
He expressed his desire to have an investor fund his dream.
Ayanda said there is an urgent need to embrace hydraulic power in science and technology as it is cost-effective and readily available. He said given the country also produces lithium, this can be a big opportunity to expand the innovation and produce batteries.
“Fuel energy is now expensive, unlike water, which is a natural resource. We have several water bodies in our country, which we can use to produce hydraulic energy. We mine lithium as a country, and we can use it to produce our batteries,” he said.
This year’s provincial agricultural show, which ran from 20 to 22 August was held under the theme: “Unlocking New Opportunities through Collaboration”.
The expo sought to unlock new opportunities by connecting farmers with modern agricultural technology, financial institutions, mining companies, the manufacturing industry and valuable supply-chain networks.
For Ayanda, being able to showcase his invention at the agricultural show was a great opportunity.
“I’m glad that this model isn’t something that I have just made to keep at home and school, but I have been able to showcase it at the provincial agricultural show. This also motivates me to improve my invention and to come up with other inventions that can help solve real-life problems,” he said.
Also under exhibition was a portable 3,2 KVA solar-powered system, which was produced by learners and lecturers from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Polytechnic in Gwanda.
It comes with a 25-volt battery, which can be charged during the day to power the system at night. To come up with the model, the students used 150-watt solar panels but the actual product can be developed using a 550 watts solar panels.
It also has a 3,2 KVA inverter and protection devices
Mr Nigel Machacha (22), an Electrical Power Engineering student, said the portable solar system can be used at home and for outdoor events. He said this was a good substitute for fuel, which is expensive. Mr Machacha said a lot of people are using diesel fuel to power generators for outdoor events.
“As the student’s body of the electrical department, we realised that there is a need for increased use of cheaper and environmentally friendly sources of energy. We designed this portable solar system, which is ideal for outdoor functions.
“This is just like any normal solar system which you can have at home but the difference is that it can be transported to any location. It can support a PA system of any size, lighting system, refrigerators, among other appliances,” he said.
Mr Machacha said the system can also be used in farming to power a water pump. He said in cases where rains have been delayed, farmers can pump water from a river to their crops. He said the system is easy to use.
Mr Machacha said as a youth and student it is his desire to contribute to the nation’s development through science and technology. — @DubeMatutu
