Groups of eager youth from SA Climate Change Champs Climate Clubs in the Northern and Western Cape are buzzing with excitement after being granted an exclusive opportunity to engage with solar-powered vehicles as part of the Sasol Solar Challenge (SSC) Schools Programme. As part of their participation in the 2024 SSC, these youth learners have been given a front-row seat to witness practical applications of renewable energy and electric mobility beyond the curriculum in the classroom.
The (SSC) is a biennial competition that invites local and international teams to conceptualise, design and build solar-powered vehicles to drive across South Africa in an eight-day event while competing against each other, demonstrating and showcasing their design, manufacturing, and strategy skills. Beyond the main competition, the SSC aims to inspire future generations through its dynamic Schools Programme. This initiative brings the excitement of the SSC to young learners, fostering a passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) through interactive learning stations on electronic and electric vehicles, solar energy and robotics and programming.
The epic eight-day race started in Secunda, Mpumalanga and finished in Cape Town with one of the control stops being in Upington where Climate Club youth from Carlton van Heerden High School and Paballelo High school attended the Schools Programme and solar car showcase.
The journey picked up from there and passed through Poffadder in the Northern Cape where youth from St Anna Private School in Springbok where presented with the opportunity to meet the competing teams and solar car exhibition.
The journey picked up from there and stopped along the way in Franschhoek where youth from Emil Weder High School in Genadendal and Khanyolwethu Secondary School in Strand attended the Schools Programme and exhibition of the solar cars.
“My mentality changed after attending the Schools Programme as I for one never imagined being encouraged to take to my local municipality to think about renewable energy. I would like to see the government allocating funds into the development of renewable energy technologies and invest in training programs for jobs in renewable energy. I wish to see my community being informed and made aware about renewable energy as I have noticed that we don’t know much about it and the opportunities it brings.
I am now empowered to engage leaders and I would like to see the government doing something. I want to do the right way through letters, petitions and every way possible to get to the government. If renewable energy is introduced into transport and mobility by having more solar-powered cars and electric vehicles, we could see a difference in our environment and economy” said Sisipho Ndzulase, Grade 11 learner at Khanyolwethu Secondary School.
For the SA Climate Change Champs youth, the challenge offers a chance to interact with experts, engineers, and industry leaders, gaining valuable knowledge and skills that will undoubtedly shape their future careers. As they witness the incredible feats of engineering on display, these young minds are being inspired to become the next generation of innovators and sustainability champions.
This is made possible by co-funding by the European Union, implemented in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, and presented by GreenCape.