9 minute read
INVENTIONS AND INNOVTAIONS
CELEBRATING SOUTH AFRICAN INGENUITY
There is much to be proud of when it comes to indigenous innovations and inventions. DALE HES looks at some of them
South Africans have always been resourceful people. Apart from our admirably peaceful transition to democracy, our country has produced some remarkable innovations that have spread around the world. From iconic shoes to groundbreaking medical achievements, we can proudly say that South Africa has left its mark on the global arena.
DID YOU KNOW?
In 2019, Prof Mashudu Tshifularo became the first person to transplant 3D-printed bones for reconstructive middle ear implants at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital. The 3D-printed bones effectively replace damaged ear bones and have resulted in more affordable treatments for patients around the world.
MEDICAL INNOVATIONS
Who could forget Dr Chris Barnard’s remarkable breakthrough in 1967, when he became the first surgeon to perform a human-to-human heart transplant. In the decades since then, our country has celebrated several significant achievements in the medical field.
Cape Town-born physicist Alan Cormack was instrumental in developing the first Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) scan in 1972, an invention that revolutionised medical imaging. Cormack undertook the crucial research that led to the building of the first CAT scan machine by Godfrey Hounsfield. Following this, Cormack and Hounsfield both received the 1979 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine.
The CAT scan was invented by Cape Town-born physicist Alan Cormack.
HOMEGROWN INVENTIONS WITH GLOBAL REACH
Some of South Africa’s best and
brightest people have come up with weird and wonderful inventions that have taken their place on the global stage.
The veldskoen
The first of these tough, iconic suede shoes was produced by Dutch settlers in South Africa in the 17th century, with the design influenced by the native Khoisan people. Today, veldskoen shoes are sold under a variety of brand names and have become popular around the world.
Four years ago, Nick Dreyer, Ross Zondagh and Nic Latouf began producing the shoes under the trademark name Veldskoen. Their endeavours have greatly expanded the global reach of the humble “vellie”.
“The veldskoen is one of the most iconic signifiers of being South African,” says Dreyer. “They are comfortable, hard-wearing and long-lasting. And they don’t take themselves too seriously, a bit like South Africans!”
Apart from connecting South Africans, the Veldskoen brand has taken the shoe to a different level, with actors Ashton Kutcher and Mark Cuban counted as ambassadors in the United States. Prince Harry also made the news when he showed off his pair of vellies.
“A year ago, we were only distributing in four countries, including South Africa. Today, we are very proud to say that
The world-famous veldskoen.
Veldskoen is distributed in 28 countries,” says Dreyer.
In a move that will further bring international attention to the brand and
IMAGES: SUPPLIEDvellies as a whole, the South African Olympic team will wear veldskoens at the opening ceremony of the games and when they are not competing or training.
The SharkShield
SharkShield
South African spearfi sherman Pieter Zietsman is making the water safer for adventurers with an ingenious invention that repels sharks from divers and watercraft. The SharkShield device includes an ankle unit for divers, an antenna that fi ts onto a surfboard, and a unit that can be attached to a kayak.
He explains that the SharkShield uses a unique waveform elliptical fi eld that only affects free-swimming sharks.
“The SharkShield generates this fi eld, which is detected by the shark through sensory receptors situated in the snout of all predatory sharks. The unique and unfamiliar pulsing sensation does not replicate that given off by a fi sh and therefore does not attract sharks. This allows you to safely fi sh, photograph, dive or swim in the water with other marine animals,” Zietsman says.
SOUTH AFRICA’S NEXT BIG BREAKTHROUGH – AN HIV VACCINE?
Vaccine trials led by the University of the Witwatersrand have shown promising results for the long-awaited development of an effective vaccine to prevent HIV.
The study, called HPTN 084, compares two HIV-prevention regimens, including an antiretroviral drug and the prevention medication, Truvada.
Over 3 200 sexually active women from seven African countries were enrolled in the study between November 2017 and November 2020.
Preliminary fi ndings have shown that only one per cent of participants were infected with HIV, proving that both drugs could prove to be highly effective prevention measures.
Rooibos Tea
South Africa’s favourite tea was born more than 300 years ago, when the Khoisan harvested leaves from the Aspalathus Linerearisplant – commonly known as rooibos – which they discovered could be brewed into a delicious, aromatic liquid.
Upon visiting South Africa in 1772, European botanist Carl Thunberg spread the word about the tea, and Dutch settlers began drinking it as an alternative to expensive, imported tea from Asia.
Rooibos tea is exported to over 30 countries around the globe.
SA’s favourite tea, rooibos.
COVID-19-killing lights
Following the arrival of COVID-19, numerous innovations, which have helped control the spread of the virus, have sprung up. In May 2020, South African Conrad Kullman travelled to an expo in Belgium where he discovered far-UVC, a type of UV light that can help to kill COVID-19.
Kullman decided that he would develop his own product range using the lights, under the brand name of FAR UVC Africa.
“We have developed seven human-safe sanitation products, from lights, hand sanitation units and gateways in vehicle devices to trolley sanitation tunnels. Far-UVC can be used in occupied areas and poses no risk to humans or animals, no matter how long you are exposed to animals, no matter how long you are exposed to it,” Kullman says. it,” Kullman says.
He adds that the lights can be used in virtually every public space, from hospitals to schools, restaurants, hotels, public transport facilities, prisons and airports. FAR UVC Africa is already being sold through 21 distributors in 12 countries.
“Our mission is to have a lasting impact on humanity by creating a safer environment in which people live, work and travel. Our goal is to reduce the amount of annual superbug and viral infections, lower the number of patients suffering from these deadly diseases and relieve the burden of the billions of rands that infections cost our healthcare system,” our healthcare system,” Kullman explains. Kullman explains.
Far-UVC Africa’s COVID-19-killing lights.
SWARTLAND MARKS 70 YEARS OF QUALITY AND INNOVATION
The Swartland Group, a leading South African manufacturer of quality windows and doors for South Africa’s building industry, celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2021
Swartland’s Cape Culture range of windows, doors and doorframes.
With nationwide sustainable manufacturing operations, Swartland is a key provider of employment opportunities with a national distribution footprint and a focus on technological innovation, design and production efficiency.
Swartland now has an annual turnover of around R1.2bn, over 1 500 employees and six manufacturing plants.
Its product range includes brand names synonymous with the building sector: • The Cape Culture, Winsters and Kayo ranges of wooden windows, doors and doorframes. • Col: FSC-approved softwood and hardwood pine timber. • Kenzo: aluminium windows and doors. • Summit and Knauf: insulation. • Hydro and Digi: garage doors and automation. Swartland CEO Hans Hanekom says: “Seventy years is a significant milestone for any company, especially in these tough economic times. We’re grateful to be able to pursue expansion into new regions and new products by constantly diversifying our offering.
“We will pursue our ethos of ‘Building Together,’ which speaks to building relationships with our valued customers, suppliers and colleagues, as well as helping rebuild South Africa physically with our range of products. Quality is crucial to that effort, and it’s quality that goes beyond our products: it’s infused into every facet of the business and our relationships with personnel, customers and suppliers. It’s why we invest in making our operations more efficient. It’s also why we urge our personnel to look past their computers and production lines and to know we’re all part of a greater mission to deliver durable quality to the homes of millions of South Africans,” Hanekom says.
With more than 42 000m2 of warehouse space and a national distribution footprint that’s supported in nine major centres around South Africa, Swartland has a reputation for ensuring that its products are available, reliable and manufactured to the highest quality, with aftersales service to match, says Hanekom.
Swartland also owns the Boskor Sawmill in the southern Cape, which supplies FSC-certified (Forestry Stewardship Council) pine timber. But sustainability goes beyond certification: Swartland’s factories produce minimal waste, with innovative recycling systems that use excess woodchips to fuel the boilers that kiln-dry its wood products. High-tech air-management systems dramatically reduce harmful emissions, and waste is recycled and reused wherever possible.
The Swartland story began in 1951 with Oupa Hanekom in the small town of Moorreesburg – at the time, little more than a village amid the wheatfields north of Cape Town. What started as a modest operation to supply the local community with hardware and electrical goods soon began to specialise in joinery and blossomed.
Oupa’s son, Oom Jurgens, brought the philosophy of continuous improvement to the business. Today, the third generation of Hanekoms – Jurie, James and Hans – embrace traditional values such as a strong ethic and pride in one’s work, combined with innovation and a forward-thinking approach to business.
The results speak for themselves: Swartland’s products are perfectly crafted and made to last. They are all leading products in their class and backed by knowledgeable national service teams.
Its management systems are approved by the stringent South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) ISO 9001. Swartland is one of the most recognised and respected brands in the building industry.
Hanekom says: “These are exciting, challenging times for us all. We’re looking forward to the next seventy years of efficiency, innovation and customer service and, above all, ensuring our customers always have a quality experience.”
For more information:
0861 102425 www.swartland.co.za
