#1  Health Innovation - Paratube

Loading player...
In 2011, Portia had a major accident which resulted in her being wheelchair bound. She subsequently suffered deep depression as a result of feeling that she had lost her independence and dignity. She now needed assistance with basic tasks such as using the bathroom and for this, she was fully dependent on her mother and grandmother’s assistance – lifting her off the wheelchair and onto the toilet seat each time Portia needed to relieve herself. She eventually decided to change the situation for her and her loved ones for a better future in the long term. She therefore came up with a new concept and invented a wheelchair mechanism she named the Para Tube. It is a seat that retrofits onto any existing wheelchair – working together with disposable biodegradable bags. It has a built-in toilet allowing the user the ability to use the bathroom without the need to be lifted off of the wheelchair. The Para Tube gives independence and dignity to the user. This invention is what led to the launching of her company, PRD Logical Solutions.

In this first episode of Freedom Pioneers of Africa, Portia presents her concept, which was broadcast across eighteen community radio stations in Malawi, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Namibia and Zambia. Listers give their thoughts on the projects presented by upcoming innovators and whether the initiative would work in their environments.
Portia also discusses her initiative with our resident Global Connector, Bianca Praetorius. Bianca is a startup pitch coach who offers insights into all things technology, digitisation and innovation.

Featured radio stations in order of appearance:
Ntepe Manama Community Radio, Underground Radio (English), Radio Omaheke and Kharas Radio.

Featured languages in order of appearance: Zimbabwean Ndebele & Sesotho, English.
Season 1 / Episode 1 14 Jun 2022 English South Africa Business · Technology

Other recent episodes

Water Security Innovation - Kusini Water

This social entrepreneur was born in Limpopo, South Africa and holds a Bachelor of Technology degree from Cape Peninsula University of Technology, with a major in Chemistry. He also has a certificate in Water Treatment Technology. His brainchild, Kusini Water provides safe drinking water to people in rural areas using…
Season 1 / Episode 13 17 min

Housing Innovation - Nelplast Eco

Nelson Boateng and his team at Nelplast Eco Ghana Limited are killing two birds with one stone by ridding the state capital of filth and providing affordable building materials made from plastic waste. Unlike many who recycle plastic waste into bags or other handy products, Nelplast Eco Ghana uses plastics…
Season 1 / Episode 11 23 min

Mobility Innovation - Elocart Electric Mkokoteni

Kenneth Guantai is a Kenyan innovator and inventor. He noticed how the use of the regular tuk-tuks polluted the environment and how handcarts (referred to as mkokoteni by the locals) was tedious and tiresome for youths who used them to earn a living. This concern led Kenneth to invent electric…
Season 1 / Episode 10 30 min

Energy Innovation - Cist Biofuel

CIST Ethanol Fuel is a clean cooking ethanol made from invasive water hyacinth. While ethanol is traditionally made by adding yeast to products like sorghum, barley and sugar cane, CIST Ethanol Fuel uses water hyacinth, a plant found in abundance in Lake Victoria. Chemist and high school teacher Richard Arwa…
Season 1 / Episode 9 21 min

Energy Innovation - AFNON

Arnold Nyendwa is a Zambian entrepreneur, inventor, and founder of AFNON (formerly Venturas Jumpstart). Arnold invented a revolutionary stainless steel stove that was inspired by people living in marginalised communities in Zambia. He was concerned about respiratory diseases such as asthma developed by using charcoal, wood, and other wooden cooking…
Season 1 / Episode 8 23 min