A GRADE 8 pupil from the rural school of Texnydert Junior in Umzimkhulu is attempting to break new ground after coming up with the idea of creating a ‘stamp’ that could help missing children be easily identified.
Monica Zulu (13) said she was inspired by her own experience after she went missing while out at the beach in Durban last year and wanted to create something that could assist life savers in identifying a missing child.
“The stamp, which will have a code, can be used by mothers at beaches and shopping malls,” she said.
The ‘stamp’ will work similar to a microchip and will contain the child’s details and location.
Each stamp will have a unique code and once that code is punched into a computer programme, the child’s location will come up.
Last week, Zulu attended a science expo in Ixopo where she demonstrated her idea, however, resources are limited.
Another pupil, Yandisa Lwandile (15) from Grade 9 from the same school, has created an object that could be used to hide vehicle discs.
School principal Nezile Nomatshila said the school has a science team that works closely with pupils to nurture their ideas.
“There are lots of gifted pupils from the school and some are studying overseas because of science,” he said.