A digital application by a PhD student at Stellenbosch University (SU) that provides information about water quality in water supply systems has taken third place at an international gathering in New York seeking solutions to global challenges.
Engineering student and lecturer Stanley Chindikani Msiska said he was overwhelmed that the judges had selected his innovation at Camp 2030, a project of Unite 2030, a non-profitable global youth community striving to achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals by the year 2030. The gathering was
“I thank the Lord even more because this is the kind of success that is going to transform the lives of millions of people who live in despair and suffering,” he said. His digital platform provides maintenance services information about water quality in water supply systems, especially in developing countries.Msiska’s team members were Ashley Wunsch and Muskaan Waraich from Canada, Felipe Contreras from Mexico, and Inbar Erez from Israel.
He said the innovation could also address the challenge of unemployment. “The digital platform will create jobs because community members will be employed for data collection about water and systems. I will now be actively involved with stakeholders in implementing Maji,” he said, adding he needed more support as implementation would require resources.