TWO Mdantsane boys have come up with an innovative idea to combat crime with a gadget that will open and close curtains at predetermined times, making it appear there is someone home.
Yesterday they showcased their project at the year's national Eskom Science Fair in Boksburg.
David Mama High School pupils Vuyisa Sigonyela, 17, and Siyanda Ntini, 18, have created a scaled-down model of a curtain timer that can be used to fool criminals into thinking the premises are occupied.
The curtain timer can be set to close curtains at night and put on lights when the house is unoccupied.
They hope it will one day be used widely.
The matriculants said the project was inspired by the high crime rate in their township. "Some people get home late from work and their houses become easy targets for criminals but with curtains like these they could be safe," said Ntini.
The gadget can be installed in a cupboard and uses a 15-volt battery or can operate off electricity and a system of wires to close the curtains.
The pupils are competing in the Science Fair's Innovation and Technology category after winning the regional competition. They are the first pupils from the school to attend the national Eskom Science Fair.
"When we first entered the competition we did not expect to be selected for the nationals. We just wanted our idea to be heard and seen," said Ntini. Sigonyela said their win had showed that anything was possible.
The three-day event will see pupils from schools in SA, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana and Lesotho compete in various categories.
Eastern Cape Eskom Science Fair coordinator Mfundo Madolo said 67 projects from the province would compete in the 25 categories.
Madolo said there were three judging panels: medal , special award and international award judges. One of the prizes includes a science lab for the winning school.
Madolo said the curtain timer had a lot of potential and could be further developed.
"This is one of the projects that had innovation and creativity. The boys are from humble beginnings but what they have come up with is extraordinary. We decided to give them a chance to come and expose their project at a national platform," he said.
newsdesk@sowetan
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
Curtain timer to combat crime
TWO Mdantsane boys have come up with an innovative idea to combat crime with a gadget that will open and close curtains at predetermined times, making it appear there is someone home.
Yesterday they showcased their project at the year's national Eskom Science Fair in Boksburg.
David Mama High School pupils Vuyisa Sigonyela, 17, and Siyanda Ntini, 18, have created a scaled-down model of a curtain timer that can be used to fool criminals into thinking the premises are occupied.
The curtain timer can be set to close curtains at night and put on lights when the house is unoccupied.
They hope it will one day be used widely.
The matriculants said the project was inspired by the high crime rate in their township. "Some people get home late from work and their houses become easy targets for criminals but with curtains like these they could be safe," said Ntini.
The gadget can be installed in a cupboard and uses a 15-volt battery or can operate off electricity and a system of wires to close the curtains.
The pupils are competing in the Science Fair's Innovation and Technology category after winning the regional competition. They are the first pupils from the school to attend the national Eskom Science Fair.
"When we first entered the competition we did not expect to be selected for the nationals. We just wanted our idea to be heard and seen," said Ntini. Sigonyela said their win had showed that anything was possible.
The three-day event will see pupils from schools in SA, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Mozambique, Botswana and Lesotho compete in various categories.
Eastern Cape Eskom Science Fair coordinator Mfundo Madolo said 67 projects from the province would compete in the 25 categories.
Madolo said there were three judging panels: medal , special award and international award judges. One of the prizes includes a science lab for the winning school.
Madolo said the curtain timer had a lot of potential and could be further developed.
"This is one of the projects that had innovation and creativity. The boys are from humble beginnings but what they have come up with is extraordinary. We decided to give them a chance to come and expose their project at a national platform," he said.
newsdesk@sowetan
For more stories like this one, be sure to buy the Sowetan newspaper from Mondays to Fridays
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos