Power of the pen wins teen a bursary

11 October 2016 - 09:17 By TASCHICA PILLAY

A Durban teenager's innovative idea of an all-in-one ruler, eraser, pen and pencil has won her a R60,000 tertiary education bursary. Tasneem Cloete, 17, of Ridge Park College in Durban, took part in the Junior Innovators Competition, a joint initiative by Investec Social Investment and Junior Achievement SA.The awards took place in Johannesburg last week .The competition was aimed at rewarding Grade 10 and 11 pupils who came up with innovative ideas, including a handyman app, a digital clothes scanner and "magic" paint.Second runner-up Thandolwethu Magagula's magic paint - which will allow consumers to change the colour of a room by clicking a remote control - bagged him R30,000.Azraa Jonkers won R20,000 for her escalator rail steriliser.A spray nozzle releases the disinfectant along the width of the handrail every 30 seconds.Cloete's winning idea, the "REPP", is not only lightweight, but comes in various designs.Although the main target audience is students, the product can also be used in an office.The Grade 11 pupil said she had completed a junior achievement programme at school and was encouraged to enter the competition."One day part of my maths homework was to draw a graph. I had a pen and ruler but lost my pencil and eraser. That day I could not complete my homework and had to go to school early the next morning to do the graph. I thought what a brilliant idea it would be to have one item that would serve the purpose of all," said Cloete.She said she was ecstatic when she was announced as the winner."I knew this would get others interested. I know that other learners have the same problem."Cloete wants to use her bursary to study to become a chartered accountant.Other innovative ideas included a handyman app for smartphones that allows homeowners to find skilled individuals for household repairs, and a digital size detector that spares people the hassle of trying on clothes in a change room...

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