Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Getting out of a tight spot, the SA way

2 min read

Eighteen design prototypes, including a mobile morgue and an inflatable chamber for miners, were recognised at the annual South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) Design Institute Prototype Awards held on Saturday in Pretoria.

The awards — aimed at assisting and encouraging new product development in South Africa — recognised local designers and their new product prototypes.

Adrienne Viljoen, SABS Design Institute manager, said: ”We have been astounded by the interest and response to this year’s Prototype awards.

”Not only has there been a 50% increase in the number of entries received, but this has also produced quality entries, which demonstrates that South African innovators are developing products that can make an impact both locally and internationally.”

Some of the winners of the 2003 Prototype Awards included:

  • An Escape Window, which is a hinged window frame with burglar bars that can be used as an emergency exit from the house.

  • The Inflatable Refuge Chamber for use in the mining industry. It is a lightweight portable refuge chamber to provide shelter against hazardous gases, toxic smoke and poor ventilation.

  • An Eezee Pump, which is a suction water pump to transfer water easily and efficiently to rural communities with little manual effort.

  • A robust three-part telescopic tow bar, the Montsamaisa Bosigo, which can be collapsed and stored in the boot of a car.

  • An adjustable canoe seat with cut-out holes to provide relief to paddlers from a common condition called Pirifromus Syndrome, otherwise known as ”deadleg”.

  • A Porta-Morgue, which is a portable, modular morgue for use mainly in rural areas.

    • The winners would be able to use the SABS Design Institute Prototype Awards logo on their products.

    The Design Institute encouraged the economic and technological development of South Africa by promoting the benefits of good design. – Sapa