By Thabisa Ndzindzwa
A group of four learners in the Eastern Cape have come up with a groundbreaking idea to build a robot that dispenses medication for the disabled and elderly people.
The four learners in grade nine at Zinyosini Senior Secondary School in the rural parts of KwaBhaca are making waves in the world of robotics.
Vuyisa Bhakadela, Emihle Mehlwana, Limi Micheal Nodali, and Junior Lwandle Misindo submitted their innovative idea to a National Robotics competition and made it to the Top 20 out of 579 schools nationwide.
“We may not have won, but we’ve shown the world what learners from rural areas are capable of, and our idea was original, not improving on something that is already there,” Sinethemba Mvunvu, their mentor, told Scrolla.Africa.
“I am confident with my students that they could have won if the competition worked around presentation,” said Mvunvu.
Their robot is designed to remind the user when it’s time to take their medication, dispense the medication with water, and help prevent the user from accidentally overdosing.
The inspiration behind their creation was to help the elderly and disabled people in their community who sometimes forget to take their medication or accidentally take it twice.
Despite coming from a disadvantaged background, the students impressed the judges with their unique idea, and they flew to Mpumalanga Province to present their robot.
Unfortunately, due to their lack of access to nearby robotics materials, they had to build their robot in just one day, and it wasn’t working properly.
But that didn’t stop them from presenting their groundbreaking idea and showcasing their passion for robotics.
Mvunvu says the learners’ lack of resources, due to their disadvantaged background, worked against them.
“Everything else was on point except the robot that did not work,” said Mvunvu.
However, the experience has been life-changing for the learners who gained valuable skills, and boosted their confidence and presentation abilities.
They have also learned how robotics can improve people’s lives.
Vuyisa Bhakadela, one of the participants, says she is grateful for the opportunity and hopes to participate in similar competitions in the future.
Pictured above: Zinyosini Senior Secondary School learners in Mpumalanga together with their Mentor Mr Mvumvu and Former Miss SA Shudufhadzo Musida
Image source: Supplied
