The highly anticipated Sasol Solar Challenge has once again drawn teams from across the globe, each vying for the prestigious title of champion. The 8 day event has made a pit-stop at Upington High School on the 16th of September to inspire the next generation to stay in school, study STEM subjects and contribute to the renewable energy movement. The event is held every 2 years where international and local solar car teams, comes to Africa to compete in an eight-day challenge, to drive their solar powered vehicles, that they designed themselves, and drive anything from 2000 to 5000 kilometers across South Africa over eight days. Robert Walker, the founder of the Sasol Solar Challenge elaborates more:

Insert - Rob Walker - Sasol Solar Challenge

A statement indicates that majority of the teams are in university institute-based teams coming out to compete. This year there are 7 International and 6 local teams. Walker says the new route takes the team across new regions of South Africa, where many of the teams have never been before. The route required, crosses different climatic regions., the high veld area, across the hartland, the farming area and moving into the arid desert area near Augrabies into Poffadder and Springbok in the Northern Cape:

Insert - Rob Walker - Sasol Challenge2

Using this new route, the team gets to drive longer distances that they would normally not be able to do unless they go to other countries like Australia. The Sasol Solar Challenge also has an education program where they used their stops to inspire the next generation, like they did at Upington High School. Walker says that he believes that this has a huge impact on the next generation and will inspire them and make them more relatable to the youth.

Journalist: Zizipho Moni
Email: zamamoni04@gmail.com