The countdown has begun for four Durban University of Technology (DUT) students who will be jetting off to Copenhagen, Denmark to attend the 2023 Next Generation City Action Conference from 27 June 2023 to 07 July 2023.
Three of the students, Londiwe Ngomane (27), Sinovuyo Kraai (23) and Siyasanda Xaba are engineering students from the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment. Meanwhile, the fourth student, Zime Nxumalo (20) is an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) student, under the Faculty of Accounting and Informatics.
The fourth student, Zime Nxumalo who will be jetting off to Denmark.
The Next Generation City Action Conference is a global youth initiative that engages selected young students from a diverse background to challenge existing practices and contribute with their innovative solutions towards sustainable and inclusive futures with industry, academia and public sector.
Ngomane from Fairbreeze, Tongaat is currently enrolled for her Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, said she was ecstatic when she found out that the was selected for the conference after applying online.
“ I couldn’t believe it when I was selected. Till this day, I am still in shock. I think the only time I am going to believe it, is the day that I am in the flight and I see us leaving South Africa. I cannot wait to be part of the conference. It deals with the sustainability of the earth, making sure that whatever you have now can be used in the future. We are improving the technology that we have now so that it can help us in the future,” said Ngomane.
Ngomane who is the fifth of the sixth children at home said her mother was in tears when she shared the exciting news with her. She is excited as it is her first time travelling abroad. She is looking forward to passing Paris on her way to Copenhagen and she cannot wait to be amongst the most influential people to network and share ideas.
Kraai from KwaLunda, Matatiele who is also a Master’s in Chemical Engineering student is grateful to Ngomane who is from his research group for alerting him about this once in a lifetime opportunity.
“ I took a chance and applied. I was happy when I was selected. We went through a lengthy process from April 2023, where we had to write pitches about the ideas we have about the problem we want to solve. Our project is the integrated water resource management, we are trying to find ways to integrate water from different sources. We are trying to optimise the use of water as we know that South Africa is one of the water scarce countries, yet we consume so much. We are trying to implement solutions for our city and our villages so that water is utilised in a more optimum way,” reiterated Kraai.
In addition, Kraai mentioned he was on cloud nine as it will be his first time setting foot on an airplane, let alone travelling overseas. He is hoping that his team will win the prize money of 1000 euros which will help them to implement their project at eThekwini Municipality.
Xaba (29) from L-section, Umlazi is currently doing her Advanced Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering. She expressed her gratitude to the DUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Professor Keolebogile Motaung for informing her about this conference.
“ I was super excited when I saw an email informing me that my application for the conference was successful. At home they are also excited for me, few years ago I missed an opportunity to go abroad and now I am getting this amazing opportunity. I am looking forward to networking and I have confidence in my team that we will do well in the competition,” said Xaba.
Her plea was for funding as the conference only covers travelling, accommodation and one gala dinner. She mentioned that there are four other gala dinners which are part of the conference costing an estimate of R3000 each. Xaba indicated they will not be able to attend the four gala dinners and partake in activities due to lack of funding. She feels this will deprive them of more networking opportunities.
The fourth student, Nxumalo (20) is doing her third year in Information and Communication Technology. She is the founder and CEO of Zime Wezwe Creatives, which is a software development company specialising in quality website and application development. Last year, 2022 she represented Africa and DUT at the 2022 Global Master’s Programme in United States of America.
Passing his congratulatory message, Professor Sudesh Rathilal, Deputy Dean: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at DUT said: “A very big congratulations to our budding entrepreneurs, on being selected to represent South Africa at a congress in Denmark. This is an exciting initiative and we wish you all the best in presenting well for yourselves and for DUT on the international stage, not forgetting our Green Engineering Research Group.”
Pictured: The engineering students who will be going to Denmark, Londiwe Ngomane, Sinovuyo Kraai and Siyasanda Xaba.
Simangele Zuma
