He saw a need and started an industry in the first week of lockdown.
13-year-old inventor, Jedri vanRensburg, lives on a farm in the Free State district of Bultfontein. This enterprising young man saw a need and started an industry in the first week of lockdown.
Jedri knew the importance of people washing their hands well in order to protect themselves from Covid-19. Finding water to wash their hands, however, was often a problem. He gave the matter some thought and soon came up with a great answer.
His proud father calls it ‘The Footpump Revolution’.
Sanitizers in shops are expensive and easy to steal. Water to wash hands is often not available. Something more practical was badly needed, and the Footpump provided this. His proud father calls it ‘The Footpump Revolution’.
Inventor of the Footpump, 13-year-old Jedri vanRensburg.
Like many businesses and families in lockdown, Jedri’s family was experiencing difficulties. But the Footpump industry has managed to turned things around.
They have already sold 1 500, and have provided work and entrepreneurial opportunities for many others.
In the beginning Jedri and his father worked alone making the pumps. It was difficult to obtain materials at first and also to distribute the pumps. But the business grew and they now employ 15 people. They have already sold 1 500, and have provided work and entrepreneurial opportunities for many others. Many other families have been able to put food on the table. The market is growing and schools are now buying them as well.
The vanRensburgs now employ 15 people to help manufacture the Footpumps.
The Footpump can be safely installed on a wall to prevent theft. It is now equipped with five-litre cans for water, and the sanitizer is kept in a steel container which locks.
The benefits have been great. Jedri has already made enough money to buy the PlayStation he wanted, and his self-confidence and ambition have grown.
No doubt we will see many more wonderful inventions from this young man in the future.
Jedri’s Oupa lending a helping hand in the production of the Footpump.
#ImStaying is indebted to Landbou.com and Willem van der Berg who led us to this inspiring story.
Photo credits: Willem van der Berg
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