Water-Saving Think Tank
Drum English|20 April 2017

A trio of matric learners has created a high-tech system to curb water wastage – much-needed for SA’s water woes. 

Nadim Nyker
Water-Saving Think Tank

IT WAS his big moment. He’d been flown to Durban and there, waiting to shake his hand, were President Jacob Zuma and Nomvula Mokonyane, minister of water and sanitation. They were eager to meet Moses Mhlwana, who at just 18 years old had helped come up with a genius invention that might help put an end to South Africa’s water woes.

But the feeling of excitement wasn’t mutual. Moses – who, along with two friends, had just come first out of 500 entries in the youth division of the Hack4Water contest – felt distinctly lukewarm about meeting the politicians.

“I wasn’t really excited because they aren’t the kind of people I want to meet,” the teen says bluntly. “I want to meet people like [Facebook co­founder] Mark Zuckerberg and [Microsoft co­founder] Bill Gates, and then I’ll be excited.”

The Facebook trailblazer has had a pivotal influence on Moses’ life. When he saw the movie The Social Network, about how Zuckerberg came to develop Facebook, it changed everything.

“I saw what lies behind everything I see; the websites – there are codes behind it. That’s when I became interested in coding,” he says. Moses’ decision to learn coding led to him teaming up with two other young go­getters, Njabulo Sibiya (17) and Ndumiso Cossa (19), to develop a clever innovation that puts a stop to water wastage.

It’s called the Smart Tank and consists of a water tank and a touchpad. People can use it to input how much water they need and then the tank measures it out exactly. With dams running dry in many parts of SA you can understand why their innovation is being met with so much fanfare.

Bu hikaye Drum English dergisinin 20 April 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye Drum English dergisinin 20 April 2017 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

DRUM ENGLISH DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Homegrown Heroes
Drum English

Homegrown Heroes

Drum speaks to two volunteers in the Covid-19 vaccine trial and the professor heading the team in Africa

time-read
5 dak  |
9 July 2020
The Big Clean Up
Drum English

The Big Clean Up

Whenever a Covid-19 case is confirmed at a shop, they call in the deep-cleaners. We find out exactly how they disinfect stores and supermarkets

time-read
5 dak  |
9 July 2020
I'm Back & Better!
Drum English

I'm Back & Better!

Babes Wodumo shares what she’s been up to in lockdown – and there’s some new music on the horizon

time-read
5 dak  |
9 July 2020
Not An Easy Ride
Drum English

Not An Easy Ride

Taxi commuters and industry players tell DRUM what’s driving them to defy lockdown rules

time-read
5 dak  |
16 July 2020
Mam' Mary Bows Out
Drum English

Mam' Mary Bows Out

Iconic actress Mary Twala is fondly remembered by friends and family for her humour and talent

time-read
6 dak  |
16 July 2020
‘They Lived For Each Other'
Drum English

‘They Lived For Each Other'

This Cape Town teen’s parents died from Covid-19 on the same day. Now she’s alone and battling the virus too

time-read
6 dak  |
9 July 2020
Stranger Than Fiction
Drum English

Stranger Than Fiction

For actor Mangaliso Ngema and his daughter Khosi Ngema, her role in Blood & Water was like watching their family’s real-life story unfold

time-read
5 dak  |
9 July 2020
I Was Raped By A Pastor
Drum English

I Was Raped By A Pastor

His accusations against a well-known man of the cloth turned an Eastern Cape man’s life into turmoil but now more victims have spoken out

time-read
5 dak  |
16 July 2020
My Fight With Life And Death
Drum English

My Fight With Life And Death

More Covid-19 patients, too few beds and staff, constant sanitising and personal fears – a Western Cape doctor shares her experience

time-read
6 dak  |
16 July 2020
I AM ENOUGH
Drum English

I AM ENOUGH

Ten years after being set alight, Thembi Maphanga is living life to the fullest

time-read
5 dak  |
9 July 2020