WHO SAID CONSERVATION CAN’T BE BRILLIANT!

MBABANE – His ultimate dream was to supply the elderly with affordable sustainable energy sources; but the circumstances in Eswatini were not so conducive.

However, he is not deterred as given a chance, Daniel Bervoets, who originates from Germany, believes he could have and still can prevent some unfortunate deaths of elderly people and children resultant from houses catching fire, due to careless use of candles.
A computer specialist who worked in Belgium before he got an injury that forced him to retire on medical grounds, Bervoets then focused his energy on conserving the environment.

Since he arrived in the country 12 years ago, he has been ‘making something out of nothing’. He literally went around collecting trash and made useful items out of it, which included building houses, generating electricity and manufacturing equipment. This smart recycling has seen him build his latest creation which is an impressive multi-roomed house he built out of scrap microwave and refrigerator doors, wood and car parts.

One of his homes, situated in Luve next  to St Florence High School, is still under construction and has electricity generated from a windmill he made from old ceiling fans. He said he finds most material from dump sites and turns what others see as trash into brilliant conservation ideas.  “Going green is very important and should be everyone’s slogan as we all must contribute in saving the planet we live in ,” he added.

distribution

Inside his house, Bervoets has a home-made distribution board (DB) and music record player which also plays CDs. The walls of his double storey house are made of old planks, while doors are made from glass sheets he finds unshattered. “During construction of especially huge structures, one can find a lot of usable glass panes that are still as good as new,” he elaborated.

 Though optimistic about life, Bervoets said his dream has been frustrated.
His definition of a frustrated dream is that over the years, he has tried to partner with some local citizens in an attempt to expand his architecture to the point that it benefitted many impoverished people.

“Unfortunately, I partnered with the wrong people and each time my projects flourished, they were taken away from me,” he claimed.
He said some of these situations would get so nasty to the point that he would report the incidents to the police in  hopes of assistance in recovering his belongings. He alleged the belongings he refers to are the innovative creations he made and was forced to live behind on some people’s premises.

“The police have never assisted me. All they would say was that the places I had set up my business on, fell under Swazi Nation Land (SNL) and therefore required the chieftaincy to help,” he added.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer (PICO) Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, said the police have met regarding Bervoets’ claims and decided to grant him a special audience at a time that would be convenient to him.

discussion

“We would like him to come over for a meeting where we will have a discussion with him. The station commander is already prepared for his appointment,” she said.
Bervoets said had he been allowed to pursue his passion, he would have even imparted his skills to children around the communities, so they could make a living out of nothing.
Currently he is stationed by the entrance of St Florence High School, where he rents a shop located opposite the school.
“I arrived here a couple of months ago and I also sell snacks and sweets to the pupils for extra income.”
He said he had not yet  been able to complete a project that would generate income for him.
“I live on a grant that I receive from my country Germany,  following that I was injured on duty,” he said.
A couple of pupils who spoke to this Swazi News journo, said they were curious to learn more from Bervoets as his house on its own is a marvel to them.
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Bervoets said he would happily impart his knowledge to emaSwati. He also stated that with the correct funding, he does believe a number of innovations that could better people’s lives could be invented, especially in the rural areas. These would include windmills to generate water and electricity, and more stable houses built from recycled material.
Senior Communications Officer of the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP), Senzo Malaza said the only challenge they could face would be insufficient space in their incubation unit.
Otherwise he said they were willing to meet Bervoets and discuss his ideas.
“We may not have space but that does not mean we cannot be of assistance. We need to make an assessment and determine what form of help he requires.”
Malaza said even if the assistance was not within their scope, they could redirect him to the relevant department.
“We can provide mentorship or coaching if that is what he needs, otherwise we specialise in technical assistance,” he said.

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