One of the most notable flagship project is The SiyaHamba Solar Boat which was designed and built by the SETS team and is the ‘first of its kind’ in South Africa and, to our knowledge, the first in the Africa. SiyaHamba Solar Boat is a pioneering, eco-friendly water transportation solution designed to showcase sustainable technology. Powered by solar panels and an electric motor, with advanced energy storage. This innovative vessel reduces emissions, operating costs, and noise pollution. Our SiyaHamba Solar Electric Boat competed in the 2024 edition of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge. It was the first team from Africa to compete at this event. The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (MEBC) was founded in 1953 by Prince Rainier and led by Prince Albert II since 1984. The event has become a demonstration platform where participants and the boating industry learn about alternative boating technology to promote renewable energy and innovation as alternatives to keep our oceans and environment clean. SiyaHamba Solar Electric Boat competed and completed all Solar Class races in the 2024 event. The event attempts to push the boundaries to ensure that there is constant development in the field of alternative boating energies.
The project has recently received the following prestigious awards:
- National Science & Technology Forum (NSTF) Finalist Award (2021) for Innovation at a corporative organization for recognising and celebrating an outstanding contribution to science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation.
- Vice-Chancellors Award (2024) for initiative/project in teaching, research or public engagement that significantly contributes to the reciprocal partnership between DUT and society and that shows the university operating with global vision and ambition.
