Inventor struggles to bring ideas to life
An innovative woman from Ezibeleni has invented a commode for people who struggle to get themselves to the toilet, an invention she said was inspired by overweight people in her family.
Khanyisa Nyeka said the commode was needed in hospitals and homes where sick and elderly people struggled to get to the bathroom.
“Hospitals normally use bedpans or nappies which are expensive, especially for people who take care of sickly loved ones at home. The commode is portable, easy to clean compared to a nappy and will save money.”
Nyeka said she was assisted by the Chris Hani District Municipality in 2017 which paid for the fees for an inventor’s course, for which she was grateful.
“The district municipality also helped me to get a factory at Queendustria which has a 10-year lease. This year is the fifth and I have not used that space as other promises have not been fulfilled. The municipality made so many promises, including paying a prototype company so my other inventions could be brought to life.
“This has not happened and there is no indication when it will happen. The factory space has been vandalised over the years and has deteriorated.”
Nyeka said President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Thuma Mina campaign encouraged black women to start businesses so they would get support, but she is yet to receive the support she needs from local representatives of the campaign.
“I feel as though the municipality’s assistance is dragging on. I have made business deals with local pharmaceutical companies who indicated they would stock some of my inventions, including the commode, but I need at least R3,000 to make a chair.”
Nyeka has also invented a multi-use bowl, pill container with compartments for various medicines and a polystone which is a tombstone that can be reused for two burials.
CHDM spokesperson Thobeka Mqamelo dismissed allegations of reneging on promises and said they viewed them as unfounded.
“We wish to indicate that Nyeka approached the municipality for further support after we initially assisted her to undertake the training that she requested. Her request for the prototype was presented to the grant application approval committee for consideration with all other applications the municipality had received.
“The process is still under way and the outcomes of the deliberations of the responsible committee will be communicated to all applicants. This is done in writing to all, whether successful or not. The process was also explained to Nyeka as such, and the district therefore cannot succumb to undue pressure and baseless allegations to give preferential treatment to any individuals in this regard.”
The local inventor is looking for any companies or individuals who are willing to invest in the inventions which she has already designed. To contact her, call 084-617-6454.