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Sifelani Tsiko Agric, Environment & Innovations Editor

Zimbabwe’s gifted innovator Maxwell Sangulani Chikumbutso has developed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) drone weighing 45kg that can cruise to an altitude of 11 000 feet using power generated by airwaves.

The talented and self-taught innovator from Harare told The Herald that the drone – called the Saith UAV has many purposes that could help the country make its impact in the highly competitive aviation and hi-tech global entrepreneurial ecosystem.

“Our drone possesses the following hitherto unparalleled capabilities – a flying endurance pursuant to which it reaches a speed of 600km per/hr and a height over 11000 feet above sea level with a carrying capacity of 45Kgs,” he said.

“We are one of the few African companies that are resolutely thriving to make Africa a technology-driven and pioneering continent. This places us at the very heart of Africa’s surge into the future.”

Chikumbutso was now working closely with the Government and the Air Force of Zimbabwe to get clearance to do trials.

He is dreaming big and wants to build Saith Technologies into a billion-dollar concern that distributes electric cars, helicopters, telecoms solutions, security and surveillance, UAVs, traffic safety and lightning products as well as MSED Powered home lights.

Chikumbutso, a school drop–out, has developed a helicopter, drone, electric cars and a green power generating machine that uses radio frequency energy.