One man’s trash is another man’s tool to change the world

Picture this, a small crane with the ability to lift a car and a fully operational windmill, both made out of trash at a landfill. This is not a scene played out in a movie about hope, dreams and poverty, it is a real-life scenario playing out right in our backyard.

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fter completing his matric, 20-year old Mpho Makutu had dreams of making it big in the technology and innovation space, which prompted his move from Kopermyn in Limpopo to the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg. In the City of Gold as it is affectionately known, Mpho enrolled for a mechanical engineering qualification at Molapo Technical College where he unfortunately had to drop out in the 2^nd year of his studies owing to financial difficulties. 

Mpho says he often went to bed on an empty stomach as a result of his dire financial situation. “I couldn’t concentrate on my studies and I found myself without a roof over my head after being kicked out over a rent dispute during exams,” he explains.

With a never say die attitude, Mpho has what it takes to claim his spot as one of South Africa’s top young innovators. All this young man needs is a chance to realize his dreams which include developing a machine to assist construction workers plaster buildings and reduce accidents on building sites. “Despite having built robots, cranes and remote-controlled cars, I unfortunately do not have the resources to work on bigger projects,” says Mpho.

His talent has seen him use scrap for his creations. “I use discarded cardboard, wires, scrap metal and basically anything I believe can be of use in landfill sites around the city,” he says. His greatest creation so far is a battery-powered robot with the capability to grab and move projects all with the touch of seven different wire levers.

Mpho has always had a passion for innovation and he can recall spending most of his childhood experimenting with robots. “When my peers were out playing with toy cars, I was on the lookout for something to build,” he says. On a good day, he makes R300.00 from demonstrating his creations to tourists along the popular Vilakazi Str in Soweto. With these daily takings, he pays rent and provides for his family.

While deeply fond of his parents, Mpho believes they don’t understand his passion for innovation owing to their age. “My parents believe all I do is play around with wires and trash, so they insist I come back home,” he explains.

Mpho believes his is a God-given talent which didn’t necessitate sitting behind a desk and conducting experiments in a science lab. “I didn’t use a manual, I simply put my brain to great use. I often have dreams about non-existent machines which prompt me to work on them when I wake up,” says Mpho.

Despite adversities he has encountered, this young man has a vision and is optimistic about the future. “I believe my greatest invention will help simplify people’s lives and make the world a better place,” concludes Mpho.