[Image Source: Engineering News]
How far can collaboration go? The partnership, between academia and industry in South Africa is demonstrating potential for progress and growth. Schneider Electric and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) are at the forefront of an initiative in communities within the Limpopo region. Meanwhile, in the KwaZulu Natal region, a need for infrastructure upgrades serves as a reminder of the role that regular maintenance plays. Let’s explore these developments further!
Imagine a community where basic needs such as water and education are scarce resources. That was the daily struggle for the residents of Gwakwani, Matatani and Mbodi until collaborative effort brought about positive transformation. Since 2014, the amazing collaboration between Schneider Electric and UJ has provided solar-based solutions to the communities of Gwakwani, Matatani and Mbodi, including powered boreholes that offer water, reducing the need for long walks to fetch water and lowering the risk of malaria. Additionally, there are solar streetlights to enhance safety, and a solar-powered off-grid bakery that supplies bread and income to the communities.
And here’s the kicker: there’s a solar-powered off-grid crèche with its own television and educational resources. The first of its kind! Children now have a safe environment to learn, opening doors to a brighter future. This collaboration between private industry and academia not only introduces technology to communities, but also helps combat poverty and aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The impact is significant and far reaching in Gwakwani, thanks to boreholes, solar panels, and a strong commitment to improvement efforts in the community. Furthermore, initiatives to grow cassava and introduce telemedicine services are in progress, showing how strategic investments in infrastructure can bring change. These initiatives connect closely with infrastructure: cassava farming requires effective irrigation, transportation networks for distribution, and suitable storage facilities to thrive, while telemedicine relies on telecommunications infrastructure, like internet connectivity, digital platforms, and healthcare facilities equipped to deliver remote services. Isn’t it amazing to see such transformative progress taking place?
On the other side of the coin, the aging infrastructure in South Africa was given a reminder of its weaknesses when the Ezimbokodweni River bridge near Amanzimtoti closed due to cracks appearing on it.
The KZN bridge, constructed in the 1960s, shows signs of deterioration and the recent section that collapsed is causing disruption for daily commuters. The Deputy Transport Minister, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, has urged for patience as SANRAL initiates actions to evaluate and repair the bridge with the expectation of reopening it around mid-December. However, it looks like this won’t be a quick fix as the aging components of the bridge might need replacement by 2025 to avoid future incidents, due to its deterioration over the past 64 years.
[Source: IOL]
It is mentioned that the problem with the bridge is more about “wear and tear” than structural failure. This raises a question. What about the hundreds of other aging bridges across the country that are facing similar challenges? Technology has progressed since the 1960s and there are better construction materials available now. How do we ensure the safety and modernisation of these structures?
These two stories showcase the nature of infrastructure in the country; while there are pioneering projects in Limpopo that empower communities through technology and positively impact livelihood, there are also hurdles in upkeeping aging infrastructure to guarantee safety and durability. Could the same energy we see in Limpopo be a solution to avoiding infrastructure breakdowns in South Africa’s future development plans?
What do you think about the importance of fostering collaborations like the one between Schneider Electric and UJ in improving infrastructure development?
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