Stellenbosch PhD Student Scoops 3rd Place for Innovation at an International Gathering in New York

• A Stellenbosch University (SU) PhD student’s digital application grabbed the third-place position at Camp 2030, a project of Unite 2030
• The web application called Maji, which means water in Tumbuka, will act as a solution for water and sanitation, especially in developing countries
• Stanley Chindikani Msiska said the app could also create jobs, as it will require community members to gather data about water and systems

CAPE TOWN - A PhD student from Stellenbosch University (SU) is making waves with a digital application that provides information about water quality in water supply systems. The innovation has scooped the third-place position at an international gathering in New York.

The gathering is to find solutions for global challenges. Engineering student and lecturer Stanley Chindikani Msiska said he was overwhelmed that his creation was selected by the judges at Camp 2030, a project of Unite 2030, as a winning solution.

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Camp 2030 is to find solutions to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 and was attended by more than 250 youth leaders from 61 countries. Msiska told SU that he thanked God for his success which will transform millions of lives in despair and suffering.

The web application Maji, which means water in Tumbuka, is a solution for water and sanitation. The platform will provide maintenance services and information about water quality in water supply systems, especially in developing countries.

Speaking exclusively to Briefly News, Msiska said creating a positive impact was the basis for his digital application. When asked what his message was to the youth who are interested in a similar academic field, the lecturer said:

"It's all about impact. Let's solve real problems that affect people in the country. We are in a position to come up with answers to challenges. There's no excuse when we have time and energy to create solutions. We have the power to bring back hope to people," he said.

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The 34-year-old said he did not expect to win because so many people were present.

"The chance of winning was really tough. The winning project needed to tick all the boxes. I did not expect to win, and the outcome was really overwhelming," Msiska added.

The talented individual said he saw the suffering that people endured and wanted to make a difference in their lives.

According to TimesLIVE, the attendees were divided into 36 mixed groups focused on different challenges. Msiska’s team included Ashley Wunsch and Muskaan Waraich from Canada, Felipe Contreras from Mexico, and Inbar Erez from Israel.

Aside from being an answer to water quality, the lecturer said the app could also create jobs, as it will require community members to gather data about water and systems. Msiska plans to be actively involved with stakeholders in implementing Maji.

South Africans react to the achievement:

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Amanda Bowen said:

“Well done, I hope this opens opportunities for you!”

Taps Moyo commented:

“Well done. Interesting work.”

Lesedi Dennis Mokgomogane posted:

“One thing I know is the ANC will fail to fund him and his dreams. The next thing is the next big thing in the US. Remember First heart surgeon, Elon himself.”

Kgwadi Moloto wrote:

“He must be careful; they might steal his idea like they always do. Hope he has protected it somehow.”

Muligwe Nelwamondo Nduvho Lenexx added:

“It must be applauded here.”

Talented man builds drone with local materials; flies device in video, many impressed

In a related matter, Briefly News also reported a talented Ghanaian man has built a flying drone with beautiful functioning lights from indigenous materials, which works perfectly without any problem.

The techy 23-year-old, who only completed junior high school in 2016, demonstrated how the device works in a Facebook live interview.

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Speaking on Peace FM, the prodigy revealed that existing drones inspired him to build his own version.

Source: Briefly News