WeeklySA_AdminCURIOUS: He derived inspiration from his backyard mechanic dad
By Bongiwe Mkhwanazi
A 21-year-old Soweto young man has caught the public eye with his ingenious mechanical creations that reveal a potential for him to pursue a career in engineering.
The home of Bongani Mdakane in Tshiawelo has turned into a museum of hand-made contraptions – thanks to his inventiveness. There are model cars and trains made from stripped beer and an assortment of wires and cardboard paper strips – all of which have captivated the neighbourhood. This is a passion that has occupied Mdakane’s life since the age of 14.
The Tshiawelo lad said his friend had thought that he had lost his sanity in the beginning, when he started collecting beer cans for his project. “My uncle saved me from being the talk-of-the town by helping me to collect the materials,” he said.
Mdakane, who lives ja stone’s throw away from the Tshiawelo railway station, said he had become inspired after he had watched his father, who is a mechanic, working on different cars brought by his clients.
Mdakane, who describes himself as a naturally curious fellow, said he was eager to know what set vehicles in motion while his dad went about his daily business.
And, thanks to his father’s guidance, Mdakane learned how to propel his five-coaches-long model train, which uses two miniature alternators and a switch to power it along on the wooden rails. His self-propelled train does not have windows, siren, or hooter.
He said he wants his dream to become a locomotive technician, engineer or designer to come true by studying engineering. He also wishes to train other youths to follow his hobby. “I know that, with the experience I have acquired over the past seven years, I can pass this information to other youths who may also be interested in designing their own mobile toys,” said the self-taught Mdakane.
Mdakane, who matriculated from the nearby Vuwani High School, said had he, short after completing his Grade 10 several years ago, followed on a hunch to enrol for engineering studies at a technical and vocational and education and training college, he would be a qualified engineer by now.
His dream to have his own company where he could train other youth to design their own model trains and cars can be realised if he could partner with institutions like the Transport Sector Education and Training Authority (Transport Seta). This SETA is responsible for skills development in transportation, which include cargo, railway commuter services, land transport, freight transportation.
Meanwhile, an official at the Molapo Further Education and Training (FET) College, told Weekly SA Mirror this week that Mdakane can register for a mechanical engineering diploma when their new registrations open soon.
The official said Mdakane would be required to enrol for a two year-long NQF Level or NQF Level 2 qualification. He will be required to enrol for an N1 to N2 in pure maths, science, theory, drawing and mechanical engineering.
For him to qualify, he would have to complete two years of study to be legible for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding depending on the parents’ income and affordability.
