My Bulawayo team sat down with a Electronical Enginneering student studying at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Nozinhle Primrose Khumalo. My Bulawayo (MB) and Nozinhle Khumalo (NK)
MB. who is Nozinhle Khumalo?
NK.Am an engineering student at Nust, i love debate and am also an athlete. i crom a family of two, me and my sister.
MB. describe Nozinhle in one word?
NK. versatile
MB.Tell us about education background.
NK. i did my primary education at JW Mthimkulu in Magwegwe , went on to do my high school at St james further did my advanced level at Regina Mundi.
MB. tell us about your journey as a young lady stuying electonical engineering how has been the road this far?
NK. the journey has been good , the industry is accomodative although there is still more to be done i find engineering a good place for each individual regardless of gender.
MB.How do you manage to study a course that is normally accredited for the masculine and come out victories and excited about it?
NK. i believe such a course is based on individual , who you are and what you want, its about making time effectively and managing to balance your time, basically i can say no course is for man or women its about dedication and time management.
MB. why electronic engineering?
NK.This course is broad it is an interesting industry when you study it you can choose what you want to venture in like for me i can do telecommunications , software development, it does not limit an individual, so i love this industry.
MB.looking at your project its quite innovative, what inspired you to do this solar systems project?
NK. my home plight can be attributed to my research. i stay in Cowdray Park there are a lot of houses who are not using or who are not yet connected to the main grid from ZESA which supplies with electricity, hence we have been using solar system and this has inspired me to come up with such a concept.
MB.tell us about your objectives in your project?
NK. my main aim is to make the solar system acceptable by many people because people have stereotyped the use of solar systems as a bad thing but actually a good and innovative move. again many think its slow hence they have opinions about the use of the solar systems. there is more critique by the society and many people do not afford the tarriffs charged by ZESA.
MB. tell us about your project in brief
NK. my project is about a solar system i wanted to design a prototype to monitor the solar panel ambient solar irradiation and temperature.this system would measure the battery voltage, solar panel voltage and solar panel current output, this system measures the energy usage of domestic appliances and also design an mobile application that accepts field values and allows the user to remotely control and manage the household devices.
MB. has yor research been done elsewhere in Zimbabwe?
NK. No but Econet wireless was working on something similar but not close to my project
MB. Who is your target market?
NK. as i have highlighted earlier that most of the houses in the high residential houses they are not connected to the main ZESA grid that supplies electricity and there is shortage of power in the country, many people can opt for my alternative which is eco friendly and easy to use and mantain, am targetting the newly built up houses and also the rural areas of Zimbabwe.
MB.can your project reduce the burden on ZESA?
NK. absolutely it can, many people are venturing into the use of solar in the rural areas and in the newly constructed houses in urban areas where Zesa has not connected the power, it will alleviate many power problems faced by Zimbabweans.
MB.what can you say to a young lady keen on moving and following the path you have taken?
NK. life does not give favours if you want something and you have a clear vision about it , go grab it.
MB.How long did it take you to come up with such a concept?
NK. during my time when i was attached at Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) during the 6 months i was there i came up with this research and wanted to implement it.
MB.What are your future plans soon after you graduate?
NK.i would like to do a post grad in line with electronic engienneering and further my research
MB. if you were to pitch your concept to an investor who is keen on funding your project and who loves your idea how much are you looking into for you to materialise your project?
NK.for now to make the prototype i will need $1000, and we see from then.
MB. wow thank you for your time, as My Bulawayo we are proud of young people making waves especially young ladies who continue show that as women it is possible also, we celebrate you and keep shinning.
NK. thank you very much.
