Two Durban pupils in contention for Stockholm Junior Water Prize with their AI-powered robot to combat plastic pollution
Image: Supplied
Two KwaZulu-Natal pupils, Snazo Nzama and Elihle Msomi from Adams College, have put their school and province on the map with their autonomous, AI-powered aquatic robot innovation, the AquaCrusader, which collects microplastics and nanoplastics from rivers, streams, dams and estuaries.
Their innovation has earned them a ticket to the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, which is the highlight of World Water Week that will be staged in Sweden from August 24 to 28.
The Grade 11 pupils were selected for the trip to Sweden along with others from national competitions held worldwide.
The AquaCrusader minimises microplastics in aquatic environments without harming aquatic ecosystems.
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Therefore, the duo's purpose was clear: to create an innovation that can collect microplastics in freshwater sources, and minimise the effects they cause in aquatic environments, biosphere and humans.
Snazo and Elihle said the AquaCrusader aligned strongly with the 2025 Stockholm Junior Water Prize theme, 'Water for Climate Action,' by offering a practical, technology-driven solution that addresses the climate impacts of plastic pollution in aquatic environments.
'We used STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) principles throughout the design process,' Snazo and Elihle said.
A sketch of the AquaCrusader, an AI-powered robot designed to collect microplastics from aquatic environments.
Image: Supplied
What is the AquaCrusader?
'We went through all the design-thinking processes, and our design comprises the exterior structure and interior structure, which has 2 chambers,' Snazo and Elihle said.
The AquaCrusader is operated by a Raspberry Pi and Arduino UNO R4 (mini computer system); it uses ultrasonic sensors, GPS mapping, and real-time AI navigation to function without human intervention. It is also powered by solar panels, also effective underwater, and hydro energy, which offers sustainable operation.
Its dual-chamber design separates the control system from a highly effective filtration system capable of capturing both microplastics and nanoplastics, aand ensuring minimal disruption to aquatic ecosystems.
The AquaCrusader is engineered with an eco-friendly, hydrodynamic structure and camouflaged in eco-friendly dark blue paint to blend with its environment. It is also waterproof, insulated, and durable even in harsh aquatic ecosystem conditions.
With remote control capabilities and an emergency manual override, the device maintains stability even in strong water currents and under pressure, thanks to its integrated gyroscope.
It is also equipped with advanced filtration, GPS navigation and real-time data reporting. It offers an eco-friendly solution to restore water quality and protect public health.
The AquaCrusader is environmentally conscious and scalable, aligning with key South African environmental laws and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3, 6, and 13.
Also aligning with the 2025 World Environment Day theme, 'Solutions to Plastic Pollution', the AquaCrusader presents an intelligent, innovative, and eco-conscious answer to plastic pollution, one of our planet's most urgent environmental issues.
Snazo Nzama and Elihle Msomi working on their AquaCrusader, an AI-powered robot designed to collect microplastics from aquatic environments.
Image: Supplied
Snazo Nzama and Elihle Msomi
Snazo, 16, is a standout pupil, popular for his academic performance and passionate about environmental sustainability. He combines academic excellence with magical curiosity. As a passionate nature lover, Snazo regularly participates in beach clean-ups to protect the environment. In 2024, he secured 3rd place in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, alongside academic awards from earlier years.
Elihle, 16, is dedicated and ambitious. He is known for his academic focus and sense of purpose. He has a passion for science and a natural talent for problem-solving. Elihle approaches every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. His vision is rooted in hope, innovation, and a belief in the power of young minds to shape the future.
thobeka.ngema@inl.co.za
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4 days ago
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Two Durban pupils in contention for Stockholm Junior Water Prize with their AI-powered robot to combat plastic pollution
The AquaCrusader, an AI-powered robot designed to collect microplastics from aquatic environments. Image: Supplied Two KwaZulu-Natal pupils, Snazo Nzama and Elihle Msomi from Adams College, have put their school and province on the map with their autonomous, AI-powered aquatic robot innovation, the AquaCrusader, which collects microplastics and nanoplastics from rivers, streams, dams and estuaries. Their innovation has earned them a ticket to the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, which is the highlight of World Water Week that will be staged in Sweden from August 24 to 28. The Grade 11 pupils were selected for the trip to Sweden along with others from national competitions held worldwide. The AquaCrusader minimises microplastics in aquatic environments without harming aquatic ecosystems. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Therefore, the duo's purpose was clear: to create an innovation that can collect microplastics in freshwater sources, and minimise the effects they cause in aquatic environments, biosphere and humans. Snazo and Elihle said the AquaCrusader aligned strongly with the 2025 Stockholm Junior Water Prize theme, 'Water for Climate Action,' by offering a practical, technology-driven solution that addresses the climate impacts of plastic pollution in aquatic environments. 'We used STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) principles throughout the design process,' Snazo and Elihle said. A sketch of the AquaCrusader, an AI-powered robot designed to collect microplastics from aquatic environments. Image: Supplied What is the AquaCrusader? 'We went through all the design-thinking processes, and our design comprises the exterior structure and interior structure, which has 2 chambers,' Snazo and Elihle said. The AquaCrusader is operated by a Raspberry Pi and Arduino UNO R4 (mini computer system); it uses ultrasonic sensors, GPS mapping, and real-time AI navigation to function without human intervention. It is also powered by solar panels, also effective underwater, and hydro energy, which offers sustainable operation. Its dual-chamber design separates the control system from a highly effective filtration system capable of capturing both microplastics and nanoplastics, aand ensuring minimal disruption to aquatic ecosystems. The AquaCrusader is engineered with an eco-friendly, hydrodynamic structure and camouflaged in eco-friendly dark blue paint to blend with its environment. It is also waterproof, insulated, and durable even in harsh aquatic ecosystem conditions. With remote control capabilities and an emergency manual override, the device maintains stability even in strong water currents and under pressure, thanks to its integrated gyroscope. It is also equipped with advanced filtration, GPS navigation and real-time data reporting. It offers an eco-friendly solution to restore water quality and protect public health. The AquaCrusader is environmentally conscious and scalable, aligning with key South African environmental laws and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3, 6, and 13. Also aligning with the 2025 World Environment Day theme, 'Solutions to Plastic Pollution', the AquaCrusader presents an intelligent, innovative, and eco-conscious answer to plastic pollution, one of our planet's most urgent environmental issues. Snazo Nzama and Elihle Msomi working on their AquaCrusader, an AI-powered robot designed to collect microplastics from aquatic environments. Image: Supplied Snazo Nzama and Elihle Msomi Snazo, 16, is a standout pupil, popular for his academic performance and passionate about environmental sustainability. He combines academic excellence with magical curiosity. As a passionate nature lover, Snazo regularly participates in beach clean-ups to protect the environment. In 2024, he secured 3rd place in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, alongside academic awards from earlier years. Elihle, 16, is dedicated and ambitious. He is known for his academic focus and sense of purpose. He has a passion for science and a natural talent for problem-solving. Elihle approaches every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. His vision is rooted in hope, innovation, and a belief in the power of young minds to shape the future.
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The AquaCrusader, an AI-powered robot designed to collect microplastics from aquatic environments. Image: Supplied Two KwaZulu-Natal pupils, Snazo Nzama and Elihle Msomi from Adams College, have put their school and province on the map with their autonomous, AI-powered aquatic robot innovation, the AquaCrusader, which collects microplastics and nanoplastics from rivers, streams, dams and estuaries. Their innovation has put them in the running for the Stockholm Junior Water Prize, the highlight of World Water Week. The Grade 11 pupils were selected along with others from national competitions held worldwide. The AquaCrusader minimises microplastics in aquatic environments without harming aquatic ecosystems. Therefore, the duo's purpose was clear: to create an innovation that can collect microplastics in freshwater sources, minimising the effects they cause in aquatic environments, biosphere and humans. Snazo and Elihle said the AquaCrusader aligns strongly with the 2025 Stockholm Junior Water Prize theme, 'Water for Climate Action,' by offering a practical, technology-driven solution that addresses the climate impacts of plastic pollution in aquatic environments. 'We used STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) principles throughout the design process,' Snazo and Elihle said. A sketch of the AquaCrusader, an AI-powered robot designed to collect microplastics from aquatic environments. Image: Supplied What is the AquaCrusader? 'We went through all the design-thinking processes, and our design comprises the exterior structure and interior structure, which has 2 chambers,' Snazo and Elihle said. The AquaCrusader is operated by a Raspberry Pi and Arduino UNO R4; it uses ultrasonic sensors, GPS mapping, and real-time AI navigation to function without human intervention. It is also powered by solar panels, also effective underwater, and hydro energy, offering sustainable operation. Its dual-chamber design separates the control system from a highly effective filtration system capable of capturing both microplastics and nanoplastics, ensuring minimal disruption to aquatic ecosystems. The AquaCrusader is engineered with an eco-friendly, hydrodynamic structure and camouflaged in eco-friendly dark blue paint to blend with its environment. It is also waterproof, insulated, and durable even in harsh aquatic ecosystem conditions. With remote control capabilities and an emergency manual override, the device maintains stability even in strong water currents and under pressure, thanks to its integrated gyroscope. It is also equipped with advanced filtration, GPS navigation and real-time data reporting. It offers an eco-friendly solution to restore water quality and protect public health. The AquaCrusader is environmentally conscious and scalable, aligning with key South African environmental laws and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3, 6, and 13. Also aligning with the 2025 World Environment Day theme, 'Solutions to Plastic Pollution', the AquaCrusader presents an intelligent, innovative, and eco-conscious answer to plastic pollution, one of our planet's most urgent environmental issues. Snazo Nzama and Elihle Msomi working on their AquaCrusader, an AI-powered robot designed to collect microplastics from aquatic environments. Image: Supplied Snazo Nzama and Elihle Msomi Snazo, 16, is a standout pupil, popular for his academic performance and passionate about environmental sustainability. He combines academic excellence with magical curiosity. As a passionate nature lover, Snazo regularly participates in beach clean-ups to protect the environment. In 2024, he secured 3rd place in the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition, alongside academic awards from earlier years. Elihle, 16, is dedicated and ambitious. He is known for his academic focus and sense of purpose. He has a passion for science and a natural talent for problem-solving. Elihle approaches every challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow. His vision is rooted in hope, innovation, and a belief in the power of young minds to shape the future. [email protected]
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Next Stay Close ✕ That dream simmered quietly as Mchunu pursued her studies and gained industrial experience at Sasol Technology, where she worked for over five years. Her passion for engineering blossomed, and she credits the corporate lab environment for sharpening her technical skills and creative thinking. However, fate had other plans. In 2018, following the death of her mother, Mchunu made the life-altering decision to leave her job at Unisa Science Campus, despite winning awards and being on a promising academic path, and returned home to reclaim the family land. Thandiwe Mchunu gave up her career as an engineer, to establish a biorefinery and fresh produce farm she had always dreamed of. Image: Supplied 'It was a drastic decision, but the land was abandoned. I had to return to KZN, not just for the farm, but to establish the biorefinery and fresh produce farm I had always dreamed of,' she said. 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