BY NOXOLO DLAMINI
TIMPHISINI – Two Form 5 learners from Timphisini Central High School have turned an unsuccessful experience at last year’s STEM Expo into an opportunity to explore robotics and develop a Smart Surveillance System designed to improve security through technology.
The project was inspired by the learners’ participation in the STEM Expo held at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) Sports Emporium in Kwaluseni last year. Although their drawing-board project did not secure a position in the competition, the learners returned to school with a new interest after seeing fellow student from University Sifundo Ginindza presenting a project on micro robotics.
The STEM Expo provides learners with a platform to showcase projects in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, including robotics and other working models.
According to the learners, seeing Ginindza’s micro robotics project sparked their curiosity and prompted them to conduct further research into robotics and the different ways the technology could be applied to solve real-world problems.
That research eventually led to the idea of developing a Smart Surveillance System.
The system uses cameras and artificial intelligence to monitor activity and distinguish between human and animal movement, helping reduce false alerts that could otherwise be triggered by animals passing within the camera’s range.
The robotics components used in developing the project were ordered from Takealot, while the learners undertook the research, design and development of the system.
The young innovators are Nhlonipho Ginindza and Lumnene Dlamini, both Form 5 learners at Timphisini Central High School.
Their journey demonstrates how exposure to other learners’ innovations can spark new ideas. What began as disappointment after failing to place at an exhibition ultimately became the starting point for exploring a new area of technology.
The learners believe the project could be expanded in future, particularly for use by larger organisations, if resources become available.
With further development, the Smart Surveillance System could potentially be adapted for environments requiring automated monitoring, while its ability to differentiate between humans and animals could help make security alerts more targeted.
For Ginindza and Dlamini, the project is not only about creating a surveillance tool, but also about demonstrating how curiosity, research and exposure to STEM can transform an initial setback into innovation.
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