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DUT LAUNCHES THE SIYAHAMBA SOLAR BOAT, A FIRST IN AFRICA TO TAKE PART IN THE MONACO ENERGY BOAT CHALLENGE
Pictured: Siyahamba Solar Boat pilot, Steve Ellis steering the boat at the launch.
The Durban University of Technology (DUT) in collaboration with the Energy and Water Sector Education Training Authority (EWSETA) officially launched one of its greatest innovations, the Siyahamba Solar Boat. Distinguished guests gathered at the Point Yacht Club, Durban Harbour on Friday, 26 April 2024, to witness the historical moment as DUT’s Siyahamba Solar Boat is a ‘first of its kind’ in Africa.
The Siyahamba Solar Boat is set to compete internationally in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (MEBC) in Europe, in July 2024. DUT was selected as one of the 15 finalists out of the 120 global entries for this prestigious competition.
This solar-powered boat was designed and built by DUT students and staff from the DUT Energy Technology Station known as the KZN Industrial Energy Efficient Training and Resource Centre (IEETR). It has an overall length of 5.5 metres, width of 2.4 metres and height of 1.2 metres.The main body is made from a carbon fibre composite structure reinforced with aluminium.The estimated overall weight is 90 kilogrammes. It has a photovoltaic (PV) array of 1.3 Kilowatts to charge a 1.46 Kilowatt hour battery bank, in order to power its 4 Kilowatt Torqeedo electric motor.
The Programme Director, Mr Alan Khan, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at DUT, revealed that DUT was the only university in South Africa and on the African continent that will be participating in the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. He revealed
that the Siyahamba Solar Boat was named after the Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, after South Africa won the Rugby World Cup in 2019. He indicated that the work on the boat commenced in 2018 and said that the boat would showcase DUT’s excellence on a global stage.
In his welcome remarks the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement at DUT, Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola, said the Siyahamba Solar Boat was more than a boat, it was a symbol of DUT’s impact. He indicated that it was aligned to DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategy, which aspires to produce adaptive graduates who will make a positive impact in society and improve lives and livelihoods.
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DURBAN UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY