Tshwane wants more students in science, engineering

Tshwane's Mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa wants to have 60 Fab Labs deployed at township schools. Image: Tshwane

Tshwane Mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa and Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile opened two of the labs at the Tshwane Innovation Hub on Monday (23 June).

The Kusile labs are mobile and are designed for schools.

Developed by entrepreneur Nkosinathi Maseko, they are designed in such a way as to demonstrate all the physical science and chemistry experiments for grades 10 to 12.

The mobile labs cost R56,000 each and the city is able to deploy 60 of them at schools.

About 12 pupils at a time can use the mobile labs.

"A conventional school lab costs about R1.2m to build and equip, depending on design, but you can order a Kusile lab and expect delivery within two weeks," said Maseko.

The Fab Lab, at the Tshwane Innovation Hub, is designed for the production of prototypes.

It can accommodate about 12 people, and has a 3D printer and equipment for engraving on wood, marble, glass and steel.

Fredell Jacobs, General Manager for Enterprise and Skills Development at the Innovation Hub, said the two types of lab were part of a new concept intended to encourage innovation in Tshwane townships.

"The idea is to make space available for youths in which they can use their designs, drawings and concepts to make a physical prototype.

"We want to identify entrepreneurs, bring them to this space to develop their ideas and engage with the lab," Jacobs said.

Source: The Times via I-Net Bridge