Across Africa, access to clean water remains a daily struggle for millions, a crisis often met with imported, unsustainable solutions. During a fascinating interview with Professor Askwar Hilonga, a Tanzanian engineer and inventor of the Nanofilter, described his invention as a revolutionary water filter that is affordable, saving lives and reshaping what's possible for African innovation. For the professor, leveraging knowledge for communal improvement is a crucial goal for Pan-African development:
“The original inspiration, the ideas remain the same, that no child should drink the water that I drank in my childhood and I suffered a lot with waterborne diseases. This should not happen in the 21st century because we have the potential to solve these challenges. That is how I came up with this Nanofilter invention [...] When Africans lead, solutions are tailored to real constraints. Income levels, infrastructure gaps, culture climate and behavior. Not imagined realities. Resources are spent smarter with less waste or inappropriate technologies. Young people see role models who look like them solving complex problems, which is psychologically and strategically powerful [....] I imagine an Africa where every village is a micro innovation hub, every young person sees technology as a tool to solve community problems not only as a ticket to live our traditional wisdom, cultures and values are integrated, not erased by modern science. I'm particularly passionate about an integrated water energy food system. Linking Nanofilter with solar, biogas, irrigation and nutrition so that safe water, clean cooking and food security reinforces each other,” the professor indicated.
This episode also features the interview with His Royal Highness Dr. Mwanta Ishima Sankeni the sixth, who is the Secretary General of the Forum of African Traditional Authorities, as he engaged with Sputnik Africa at the African traditional leaders forum held in Ethiopia. In the interview, the traditional leader issued a clear call that true development is impossible without cultural integrity.
“We must put on African clothes. We must go back to our African culture. We must compose and play and dance to African music. We also want to use modern technology so that we do not discard our traditional way of living. We want to embrace science, technology with modernity because culture is not static, it is dynamic [...] In most countries, if you look at the history books, they are all white books. There are very few Africans that have written books, and it is not in the interest of the African. So, the onus is on us as traditional leaders to start documenting the correct history,” the Chief pointed out.
From the innovative mind of Professor Hilonga to the ancient wisdom of Chief Ishima, the message is unified–Africa’s development requires African inventors, historians, custodians, and most importantly, Pan-African unity.
Tune in to listen to the full conversation with our guests on the Pan African Frequency podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
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