Win with Project Dignity while uplifting thousands
This is the opportunity for learners and students to showcase their talent in technology.
The Southern Business Community Forum in Rosettenville has a dream that aims to bring upliftment and dignity to thousands.
They want bright minds to enter the Recycling Trolley Design Competition which they call Project Dignity. Three successful students or learners stand a chance to win R100 000, R50 000 and R25 000 respectively, with the same amount going to their respective university or school.
For the Southern Business Community Forum, the idea came in 2016 where they wrote to the then City of Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba, asking him for moral support in Project Dignity.
“Specifically, we speak of those stalwarts we see daily plying streets with their scrap-metal recycling trolleys, providing the city with an essential service that is both poorly paid and dangerous. We estimate that there are approximately 5 000 trolley pushers in Gauteng, who in turn feed and clothe approximately 30 000 family members, and on an average two trolley pushers are seriously injured or killed in traffic per week.
“But there is a way that these scrap-metal recyclers can enjoy economic prosperity and safety, all at precisely zero cost to this great city, which is the economic heartbeat of the entire African continent.
“In fact we envisage trolley pushers earning at least R8 000 a month, in stark contrast to the R100 or so a day they currently earn. As well as enjoying benefits such as medical aid, while their trolleys will ideally be funded by the carrying of advertising banners and sponsorship,” explained the Forum.
They want the city and corporate sponsors to fund this project. The winning design must be economically viable, sturdy, maintenance friendly and constructed from materials that are readily available and preferably re-used/waste materials.
It should be a design that can be easily copied as it would be an open-source design to encourage the rapid adaptation by local collectors. The entire assemblage must be able to break down into its constituent parts for ease of recycling, while all adhesives, paints and finishes must be environmentally friendly.
The additional marks will be allocated for the presentation that portrays the design best (a static 2D presentation will be negatively scored). It is thus encouraged that presentations be interactive, 3D and self-explanatory. Simplicity and functionality will be what we’re looking for,” they said.
More specifically:
• Aesthetics must be considered (both with and without a load).
• Safety of both the operator and the other road users must be considered.
• The steering mechanism must be designed to enable pushing and pulling motions.
• Automatic braking to stop the trolley when released (like airport trolleys) is essential.
Further suggestions to get the creative juices flowing (students/learners are encouraged to think outside these) include:
• Trolleys may generate power when pushed, possibly to charge a mobile phone or via solar panel.
• They may be able to mount a curb easily.
• They could incorporate a manual powered waste compacter to enable a more substantial load.
• They may fold away to make way for traffic or be of narrow design width.
• They could have lights from self-generated power for visibility at night.
• Reflectors could be incorporated on them.
• Trolleys’ cleaning and ease thereof may be considered.
• They may have a cup holder and/or personal stowage compartment.
• They may incorporate bump rails and flags for visibility and safety.
• They may have space for advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
• They may provide a temporary shelter for the driver during a storm.
The Forum also mentioned that universities of technology could be approached and incentivise the students to come up with a uniquely designed Gauteng Trolley Pushers uniform. It must be colourful and fluorescent.
The closing dates for this competition be announced in due course.
For more information contact meyer@ipopsa.com
