MASIYEPHAMBILI College recently bagged an award during the prestigious Pan-African Robotics competition held in Dakar, Senegal.
The learning institution was represented by four students.
Bertha Ndaba, who is also the teacher responsible for training the students, said the college proudly represented the nation at the Pan-African Robotics Competition (PARC) held at the Dakar American University of Science and Technology on July 18.
“We competed against talented teams from across the continent, we showcased our innovative spirit in the Makers League, which featured high school engineering students,” she said.
Ndaba mentioned that the event attracted participants from a number of countries, including Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Uganda, Côte d'Ivoire, Liberia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mali, Senegal, The Gambia, Burkina Faso and Ghana.
“The competition was structured around five categories, the AI League, Engineering League, Makers League, Stars League, and Tech League,” she said.
“Our team, consisting of Xentrie Zondo, Mangaliso Mpofu, Zoe Gumise, and Sisasenkosi Moyo, developed a groundbreaking project—a mine surveyor robot designed to enhance health, safety and environmental practices within the mining industry.”
The training educator told Southern Eye that they created a robot equipped with advanced sensors capable of detecting gas leaks, identifying ground instability and locating cracks within mines, thereby addressing critical safety concerns in an industry that is vital to many African economies.
Ndaba asserted that throughout the competition, their project was evaluated based on four key criteria, namely innovation, where she said their mine surveyor robot stood out for its unique approach to addressing significant industry challenges.
She indicated that the other criteria was based on functionality, where she stated that their robot demonstrated exceptional capabilities in real-time monitoring and detection, showcasing its practical application in mining operations.
“Our detailed research, combined with a compelling presentation, effectively communicated the importance and effectiveness of our solution,” she said.
“The robot’s design was both functional and aesthetically appealing, reflecting our commitment to engineering excellence.”
Ndaba revealed that after two intense days of competition, their team emerged victorious in the Makers League, winning the Creative Engineering Award for their innovative solution.
“This accolade not only highlights our technical capabilities, but also underscores our dedication to improving safety standards in the mining industry through robotics and automation,” she said.
“As we celebrate this achievement, we remain committed to furthering our exploration of technology’s potential to address pressing issues in our society.”
