Grassroots Challenge seeks to find SA's next great inventor
In a bid to find the next great inventor or innovator in
South Africa, Grassroots Innovation has launched the Grassroots Challenge,
which aims to unearth a young mind with a passion for bettering their
community.
The Grassroots Challenge will be open to all school-going South Africans who have an idea or product which they believe will be beneficial to their compatriots, especially those in impoverished areas.
The requirement is quite simple; create an idea or innovation that addresses a challenge the country faces using science or technology. At this stage all it really has to be is an idea.
One could consider the water crisis, agriculture, or natural disasters, but the scope is almost endless.
The challenge will run from April 2018 until early 2019, with the culmination of the challenge being a National round, where three people or teams from each province will battle for their idea or invention to be made into a fully-fledged business.
Regional and Provincial rounds will take place first throughout 2018, with five people or teams from each region progressing to the provincial round. The first roadshow to kickstart the challenge takes place in the Eastern Cape from 16 to 19 April. Fort Beaufort, East London, King William's Town, and Dimbaza will all be visited by the Grassroots Innovation team.
The Grassroots Challenge has been created in partnership with the Council for Industrial and Scientific Research (CSIR), Technology Localisation Implementation Unit (TLIU), and South Africa's Department of Science and Technology.
TLIU’s Manager Ashley Bhugwandin says: "Grassroots Innovation is changing the nation, one great mind at a time. The Innovation Challenge is out, so let’s start thinking of solutions.
"We are looking for innovation that will address the many challenges our country faces. What are the problems your community faces? How can we resolve this using innovative means? Let’s get to work South Africa!"
Grassroots Innovation already has an impressive track record of unearthing young talent in the country.
Nkosana Madi, from KwaThema, found the need to speed up bicycles, allowing those who cannot afford a car the chance to get from A to B quickly. Combining his passion for motorcycles and the necessity for travel, Nkosana developed an inexpensive hybrid motorised bicycle.
“The concept is very simple. I sourced a motor from a local dealer, chopped and welded it to a bicycle at home and managed to create a mode of transport that works for me and can work for those in my community,” Nkosana explains.
Another great mind to be brought to the fore is Sandiswa Qayi from East London, who devised a silicone sleeve – The HotSpot – which is fitted to a geyser’s element to heat water in the tank more efficiently. The HotSpot has been hailed as a solution for reducing the cost of a geyser’s energy consumption by heating water as and when one needs it.
More information on the Grassroots Challenge can be found at http://grassroots.tliu.co.za/login or by visiting Grassroots Innovation's Facebook and Twitter pages.