Amidst an ongoing energy crisis, a group of Soshanguve Technical High School students have captivated the nation with their innovative solutions. A solar-powered train, the first of its type, has been created by the team. Like the scientific pioneers before them, these students have taken an idea and turned it into a workable plan that might help guide the country toward a more sustainable future.
Sun and Willpower Drive This Solar-Powered Train, the Modjadji
This one-of-a-kind locomotive has a solar panel, electrical connections, a TV screen, and plenty of room for two passengers; it is named Modjadji after the Rain Queen of the people of Limpopo. The train, which is painted in a classy blue and white, is aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly in equal measure.
“Our rising fuel costs and the energy crisis became the source of our inspiration,” explains Lethabo Nkadimeng, a student in the 12th grade and one of the masterminds behind the initiative. In 2020, they began construction of Modjadji, a project that would require selflessness and dedication.
From the Classroom to the World of Dreams
For these students, working on Modjadji goes beyond the classroom. It represents change and a rejection of the status quo in their eyes. We want to inspire our classmates to think big, and we want to change the stigma associated with technical institutions,” says Nkadimeng.
Nkadimeng, who has been accepted to study Computer Science at Stellenbosch University and Civil Engineering at the University of Cape Town, says, “We want to inspire others to be innovative, to think like entrepreneurs.”
Another member of the train project, Mpho Bongwe, recalled a time when a Transnet worker had laughed at their proposal and declared it “impossible” during a study visit. The group, however, was not deterred by the doubters. “We would like to inspire kids to also think beyond the impossible,” Bongwe says with firm resolve.
In 2019, Soshanguve Technical High School reopened as a specialised institution with an emphasis on the automobile industry. Since then, the school’s proximity to major automakers like Nissan and BMW has made it a hotbed for the next generation of industry leaders.
Principal Amos Mashiane says, “The core values of this school are creativity and innovation,” and he beams with delight at his children. He emphasises the students’ dedication, noting that they worked even on Christmas and New Year’s Day.
The Way Forward
A grant from the Gauteng Department of Education covered roughly half a million of the train’s price. Even with the obstacles, Mashiane is confident in its solar train’s potential and is looking for additional funding.
Under Kgomotso Maimane’s direction, the students spent considerable time digging into the material, reading up, and brainstorming. “It was tough,” Maimane says, “but you could see they were not giving up.”
Exposure for the train is expected to continue at the December Eskom expo for young scientists in Johannesburg after it was featured at the Sasol Innovation Expo at Carnival City in Brakpan.
The Modjadji represents the bright future of South African technology. South Africa’s future is brighter than ever thanks to the sun and the ingenuity of its youth, which is continuing to uncover the vast possibilities of renewable energy sources.
About The Author:
Lunga Dlamini is a journalist specialising in African start-ups and entrepreneurship. Lunga’s fascination with innovative business models and emerging market trends guides his writing. He has an MBA and has been with Africa Nova since its inception.
