Samantha Diepenaar says one can make a flute for a mere R15
One of the late Nelson Mandela’s quotations reads: “When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace.”
First year students at North-West University’s Potchefstroom Campus undoubtedly had this in mind while gaining their first hands-on exposure to the engineering world. This is the fourth year that first year students at the faculty of engineering have had the opportunity to work on local, on-the-job community projects.
They do not merely embark upon these projects to acquire skills — the projects are part of the community involvement ethos of the campus. Campus rector Professor Herman van Schalkwyk says there is a desire to make a difference: “Many communities are weighed down by poverty and unemployment. There are many who simply cannot help themselves; those who are out-and-out dependent. This initiative is but a small way in which we can improve the quality of life of others. However small, we have to seize the opportunities.”
Various projects have been tackled to improve the local communities’ quality of life. The students identified some of the projects but most arose from organic needs in the local communities. Guided by lecturer Hannes du Toit, 31 diverse projects were identified and about 370 first year students were involved.
“Communities had a variety of conceptual and developmental needs. After they had seen what we had accomplished in the past, they recognised the possibility that our students could attend to their developmental needs. Of course we jumped at the opportunity and these projects have now been part of the subject Professional Practice for four consecutive years.”
He says the projects not only give students a broader framework for the entire engineering process but also create opportunities for exposure to professional practice from their first year of study.
Besides the complicated building and engineering work involved in the projects, students themselves have to undertake the planning, marketing, finances and implementation successfully. “Apart from offering the opportunity to master one aspect of engineering, these projects also prepare the students for the reality awaiting them. In the meantime the community benefits tremendously,” says Du Toit.
The SPCA in Potchefstroom is one of the beneficiaries of these projects. Students built a mobile clinic that enables them to deliver services to remote areas. Chair of the local SPCA Darren Kruger says they can now reach more animals than before. “The local community will also benefit from this service. For many of the residents of Ikageng, Promosa and Mohadin it is not only costly to take their animals to veterinarians; more often than not they do not have vehicles to transport sick animals.”
Musical instruments from recyclable material
Students made working musical instruments from recyclable material that not only sound like the real McCoy but also cost a fraction of the price. Samantha Dippenaar says they can make a flute for a mere R15, a cello for R150 and a violin for R300. “Our objective is to take music to those who yearn for it but cannot afford it.”
Tough wheelchair
Marinus van der Berg, team leader, says they saw the need for a robust wheelchair. “It will make the user’s life significantly easier because the wheelchair can be used on uneven terrain — especially as we find it in rural areas. It has a big single wheel in the front and is collapsible to save space.”
Insulation panels for informal housing
Students have built a press that occupants of tin houses can use to manufacture their own insulation panels. Wet newspaper is used to press block-shaped panels that are left in the sun to dry and harden. These can then be affixed to the walls and roof of the tin shanty to keep it cool in summer and warm in winter.