WHAT began as a simple solution to a personal problem has grown into an entrepreneurial venture for Siphiwe Zuma, an interior design student at Durban University of Technology. At just nine years old, Zuma was shot in his leg while staying with a relative in Stanga. Having lost his leg in the tragic incident, he now walks with crutches to class. Zuma said that when the rain came down he could not keep his books dry during the commute to university and the walk between classes.
“I used crutches when I am going for long distances. In 2017 I was doing my first year. Whenever one of my lectures was finished, I’d have to go and wait for a shuttle and when it was raining I couldn’t hold an umbrella because I am using crutches. So my books got wet. I was designing this for me and I took it to DUT engineers and asked them to help make it for me and then I discovered there was a market for this, for disabled people who use wheelchairs,” he said.
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How the design was developed
Working closely with Zuma is Ryan Hamilton, the design engineer for the DUT Technology Station (TS), which was established in partnerships with higher education institutions with financial support from Technology Innovation Agency to assist SMMEs to develop products, processes and services.
“The TS first met with Siphiwe at the end of 2017 when he approached the technology station with an idea to incorporate a standard fold down umbrella into a backpack. The design brief was that the end product had to be simple to operate and allow for differently-abled individuals to deploy and retract the umbrella with ease while freeing up their arms and hands for the use of crutches or walking aids. This sounded like a perfect project for the TS and we jumped at the opportunity to get involved. The TS was supplied the umbrella and a bag and got to work developing the prototype for proof of concept. The first prototype was a success and is still being used today for demonstrations and the TS is currently in the design and manufacture of the second prototype,” said Hamilton.
Zuma has big plans for the project and is currently testing out his prototype.
“From drawing the design to making it, you find out what works and what doesn’t, so it has been quite a journey since we started this in 2017. We are working on a final design that will be fully automated. You will just pull on the backpack, you won’t have to touch the umbrella at all. The challenge I face now is taking this to the market. There have been delays with securing sponsorship and some of our sponsors have pulled out or failed to deliver on promises. We want to replicate and manufacture, scale up and take it to a market,” he said.
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What the future holds
The young designer hopes his backpack will help others who face daily struggles on the streets and campus walkways.
“I need it for myself. I wasn’t looking for a quick money making scheme. I was really frustrated. Generally I am a giving person and I know how much of a benefit it’s going to be for others. There are guys who use wheelchairs who keep asking me how far I am with this product. They don’t even attend lectures and they cancel errands because they can’t go out when its raining. I know how much they suffer,” he said.
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