South Africa has a rich history of innovation and invention across various fields. Here are some notable South African inventions, along with brief descriptions of what they are, when they were invented, and by whom:

Kreepy Krauly (Pool Cleaner):

Invented by Ferdinand Chauvier in the early 1970s, the Kreepy Krauly is an automatic pool cleaning device that moves around the pool floor, walls, and steps to remove dirt and debris. This invention revolutionized pool maintenance, making it more convenient and efficient for pool owners to keep their pools clean.

Pratley Putty (Adhesive Putty):

In 1948, George Montague Pratley, a South African engineer and inventor, created Pratley Putty. This versatile adhesive putty was initially developed to secure components in an electrical box but has found a wide range of applications due to its strong bonding properties. It's often credited as one of the world's first epoxy adhesives.

Q20 (Multi-Purpose Lubricant):

In 1950, South African engineer and inventor Joe Palframan developed Q20, a versatile multi-purpose lubricant. Q20 has a wide range of applications, including lubrication, rust prevention, and corrosion protection. It became a popular product in South Africa and beyond.

CAT Scan (Computed Axial Tomography):

Although the invention of the CAT scan is credited to British engineer Sir Godfrey Hounsfield, South African physicist Allan Cormack played a crucial role in its development. In 1972, Cormack published mathematical methods that significantly improved the image reconstruction process, contributing to the advancement of CAT scan technology. CAT scans have since become an essential medical imaging tool.

Thawte (Digital Certificates and Encryption):

Mark Shuttleworth, a South African entrepreneur, founded Thawte in 1995. Thawte was one of the first companies to offer digital certificates and encryption services, contributing to the secure transmission of data over the internet. The company played a significant role in the growth of e-commerce and online security.

Hippo Roller (Water Roller): 

Pettie Petzer and Johan Jonker invented the Hippo Roller in 1991. This innovative device is designed to make it easier for people in water-scarce regions to transport water from distant sources. The Hippo Roller's large cylindrical container can hold up to 90 liters of water, and its rolling design reduces the physical effort required to transport water.

Thermal Lance (Industrial Cutting Tool):

In the 1970s, South African engineer and inventor Lance Ferris developed the thermal lance, a tool used for cutting through materials that are difficult to cut using conventional methods. The thermal lance operates by combining oxygen and iron rods, producing an intensely hot flame that can cut through materials like steel.

These inventions showcase South Africa's contribution to various fields, from technology and engineering to medical imaging and social innovation. It's important to note that while some of these inventions were entirely created by South African inventors, others involved collaborations or contributions from individuals outside of South Africa.

 About IDC

In an era fueled by rapid technological advancements and the pursuit of innovation, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) stands at the forefront of driving economic growth and development in numerous industries. With a steadfast commitment to nurturing talent and empowering aspiring professionals, the IDC proudly announces its highly coveted bursary program for the year 2024. This prestigious initiative aims to unlock the potential of bright young minds and foster a skilled workforce that will shape the future of South Africa's industrial landscape. The Industrial Development Corporation, a cornerstone of South Africa's economic transformation, is a state-owned development finance institution. Established in 1940, the IDC plays a pivotal role in driving industrialization and sustainable economic growth across various sectors, including manufacturing, mining, agriculture, and services. By providing financial support, business development services, and strategic partnerships, the IDC endeavors to unlock opportunities, facilitate job creation, and enhance the country's competitiveness on a global scale.

The IDC firmly believes in the power of education as a catalyst for economic progress and societal upliftment. Recognizing the importance of developing a skilled workforce to drive innovation and competitiveness, the IDC Bursary Program for 2024 is designed to empower deserving individuals to pursue their dreams and gain the necessary qualifications to contribute meaningfully to South Africa's industrial landscape. With a commitment to inclusivity, the IDC Bursary Program targets students from diverse backgrounds and fields of study, including engineering, technology, finance, agriculture, natural sciences, and more. By investing in the education and potential of these promising individuals, the IDC seeks to foster a pool of talent that will spearhead innovation, contribute to sustainable development, and address the challenges of a rapidly evolving global economy. The IDC Bursary Program for 2024 presents an unparalleled opportunity for ambitious individuals to receive financial assistance, mentorship, and exposure to the dynamic industries that the IDC supports. Through this comprehensive support system, recipients will gain valuable skills, practical experience, and a deeper understanding of the real-world challenges and opportunities within their chosen fields.

FIELDS COVERED

The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) is inviting students to apply for their bursary program, for the study year of 2024.

The bursary will be awarded for studies in fields which are directly related to industry, including:

Engineering

·         Analytical Chemistry

·         Chemical Engineering

·         Civil Engineering

·         Electrical Engineering

·         Electronic Engineering

·         Financial Engineering

·         Geology (leading to BTech at University of Technology)

·         Industrial Engineering (BSc)

·         Mechanical Engineering

·         Metallurgy Engineering

·         Mine Survey

·         Mining Engineering

Applied Commercial Sciences

·         Accounting (CA BCom)

·         Quantitative Risk Management

·         Statistics

·         Actuarial Science

·         Agriculture

·         Computer Science

·         Economics

·         Information Systems (BCom)

·         Investment Management

·         Econometrics

·         Environmental Science

·         Mathematics

·         Physics

·         Quantitative Finance

·         Financial Engineering

·         Information Technology

BACHELOR OF LAW

• BCom Law (Commercial law)

• Bachelor of Law (LLB)

• Postgraduate Diploma in Law

Minimum entry requirements

·         South African nationality

·         Must be between the ages of 16 and 25 years old, completed grade 12 OR presently enrolled in grade 12.

·         Studying full-time or intending to study full-time in one of the aforementioned disciplines of study.

·         Studying or intending to study in a South African recognized university or university of technology (NB- NOT a private university or college)

·         Current Matric students must have a minimum 70% in Mathematics and Science, as well as a minimum grade average of 75%.

·         Current tertiary students must have an overall average of at 65%.

·         The IDC Bursary Program is for applicants whose parents earn a combined household income up to 350 000 k.

·         Deserving students whose parents earn a combined household income up to R600 000,00 may be considered and are therefore invited to apply.

Documents required:

·         Identification Document.

·         Academic record if you are in tertiary at present.

·         NSC Certificate if you have completed, your highschool studies.

·         Grade 11 final report if you are currently in grade 12 and June report.

·         Proof of university acceptance (conditional offer etc).

·         Proof of Guardians income (i.e payslip).

All of the above must be certified.

What the bursary covers?

·         Tuition and Textbooks.

·         Accommodation

·         Meals

·         Allowance

·         And a laptop

Note

The application form must be completed online only on their website (click here) and should be submitted together with all the required supporting documents. Please ensure that the online application form is completed in full, otherwise the application will not be considered.

Shortlisted applicants will complete an online interview questionnaire. Successful applicants will be notified by email and/or telephonically. Closing date: 31^st of September, best of luck to all candidates. 

Contact

Email: bursary@idc.co.za

Contact: 011 269 3374

The Accenture Education Trust Scholarship 2024 offers a unique opportunity for academically promising students in South Africa to pursue their higher education dreams. This scholarship program aims to provide financial assistance and various forms of support to deserving individuals who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities. The Accenture Education Trust, helps students whose family income ranges from R 350 000 - R 1M and NSFAS Post-Graduate Students with a Household Income of less than R300k.

About Accenture

Accenture plc is a multinational professional services company that provides a wide range of services and solutions in the areas of strategy, consulting, digital, technology, and operations. It is one of the largest consulting firms in the world, with a global presence and a diverse client base across various industries.

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Accenture operates in more than 200 cities in over 120 countries. The company serves clients in industries such as financial services, healthcare, communications, media, technology, consumer goods, and many others.

Accenture offers services that help organizations improve their performance, transform their operations, and achieve their business objectives. These services include management consulting, technology consulting, digital transformation, application services, infrastructure services, cybersecurity, and outsourcing. The company's workforce is comprised of highly skilled professionals, including consultants, analysts, engineers, designers, and technology specialists. Accenture's teams collaborate with clients to solve complex challenges, develop innovative strategies, implement advanced technologies, and drive organizational change.

Accenture has a strong focus on digital technologies and is at the forefront of digital transformation initiatives. It helps clients leverage emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data analytics, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to create new business models, enhance customer experiences, and drive operational efficiencies. As a publicly traded company, Accenture is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker symbol "ACN." It has consistently been recognized as one of the world's most admired companies and a leading employer, known for its inclusive and diverse work environment.

What are the minimum requirements?

The student must have a strong academic background with a cumulative average of above 65% in a study towards Technology-aligned degrees (see below list) at select tertiary Institutions in South Africa. If you have food grades and are in your second to final year of study and even Honours year of your studies, you are what they are looking for!

Successful candidates will receive a full scholarship. The bursary programme covers the following expenses: registration fees, tuition fees, examination fees, meals, residence, book allowance for prescribed books and a laptop. In addition, the scholarship is backed up by ongoing mentorship.

Applications will be considered from students who wish to major in one of the following disciplines at one of the universities listed below.

Scholarship Disciplines

·         BSC

·         Computer Science

·         Computer Engineering

·         Industrial Engineering

·         Information and Knowledge Systems

·         Information Systems

·         Mechanical with Mechatronics Engineering

·         BSC (Eng)

·         Information Technology

·         Electronic /Electrical (Light Current)

BCOM

·         Informatics

·         Information Systems

·         Stats and Data Science

·         Computer Science

·         DATA ENGINEERING

·         Big Data Analytics

·         Post Graduate Diploma in Data Analytics and Business Intelligence

·         BENG

·         Electronic or Electrical Comp Eng

·         Information Engineering

·         Micro Electronic Engineering

Applicable institutions 

·         Rhodes University

·         Stellenbosch University

·         University of Cape Town

·         University of Johannesburg

·         University of Pretoria

·         University of Witwatersrand

·         University of Kwazulu-Natal

·         University of Western Cape

Documents required:

·         Certified copy of identity document (Application Pre-requisite)

·         Certified full academic record including 2022 mid-year exam results/progress report (Application Pre-requisite)

·         Certified copy of grade 12 results (Application Pre-requisite)

·         Certified copy of proof of parents’/guardian’s earnings 

·         Copy of your curriculum vitae (Application Pre-requisite)

Application Steps

·         Step 1 - Register/ Create an account by using your email address and create a password.

·         Step 2 - Start application. Please choose Apply Manually.

·         Step 3 - You will land on the My Information page. Please populate all fields and note that family name is your surname.

·         Step 4 - You will land on the My Experience page. In this section kindly detail any part time work experience i.e. Tutoring, promotions, e.t.c. Please note that GPA indicates academic average

·         Step 5 - You will land on Application Questions. These are standard and only for the purpose of the scholarship application please answer these as follows: Q1 - Yes; Q2 - No; Q3- Yes; Q4 - Yes; and Q5 -No.

·         Step 6 - You will land on a Voluntary Disclosure page. Here, complete all the required fields

·         Step 7 - You will land on a Summary Page where you can view your application and click Submit to finalize your submission

You will also be required to answer 10 questions. One of the questions /requirements is to create a 2-minute film about yourself. They want to know why you chose your field of study, your majors, what subjects you enjoy the most, what you'd like to do next, and why Accenture should pick you.

For any queries, contact +27 11 208 3216.

Click here to apply.