| Bongani Ngema│Mechanical Design
Bongani is a final year student studying Mechanical Engineering. Born and bred in Durban, he previously worked as an engineer’s assistant at Amalgamated Beverage Industries before pursuing his university engineering degree. Bongaini's role on the Hulamin Solar Car is to improve on the existing rear suspension and braking system with weight optimization as the main design criteria. In his spare time, Bongani tutors Maths and Science to local High School pupils. His leisure activities include playing soccer, tennis, basketball and cycling by the beach. |
| Christopher Lawrence│Aerodynamics
Chris joined the team in the beginning of 2013 where he was the lead designer in completing the aerodynamic shape of the solar vehicle as well CAD modelling of the chassis. Chris assisted with the construction of the 2012 car, Hulamin-iKlwa and also made aerodynamic optimisations to the car as part of his Master’s work. He also aided the team in various tasks on the race, including strategy enhancement by driving a support vehicle. Chris is currently completing design and thereafter manufacture of aerodynamic efficiency enhancement methods including dimples, vortex generators and pressure release devices which will be applied to the 2015 solar vehicle for use in the World Solar Challenge later in the year. |
| Jason Denny│Mechanical Design
Jason is a final year BSc Mechanical Engineering student at UKZN and joined the team in February 2015. He is completing his design project on the 2015 version of the UKZN Solar Car, Hulamin. He has been tasked with designing a new front suspension design that reduces the weight of the system without affecting the functionality or durability of the components. In addition, he is assisting with the design of the steering system, by designing the mechanism that allows for the turning of the vehicle. During his free time, he enjoys training in the gym like a freak-beast and had the following quote about the way he lives his life “I believe education is important but biceps are importanter”. |
| Julian Moodley │ Mechanical Design
Julian is a final year BSc Mechanical Engineering student at UKZN and resides in the city of Durban. He joined the team in 2015. He is completing his final year design project on the 2015 version of the UKZN Solar Car, Hulamin. He has been tasked with designing a new canopy that meets the 2015 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge rules while also being aerodynamically efficient and aesthetically pleasing. In addition, he is designing/modifying a new roll bar to fit the new canopy as well as working with colleagues to determine a suitable new PV array layout. He is also exploring new ways of joining the top shell to the bottom shell more efficiently to save valuable time during the race. In his free time, Julian enjoys playing soccer and catching up on the latest in technology and cars. |
| Matthew de Neef │ Electronic Design
Matthew is a final year Computer Engineering student from UKZN. He joined the team in 2015 as part of his first semester design project and was involved in designing the wireless RF link and data communications protocol for the telemetry system. He has always had a passion for technology in its many forms and enjoys keeping up to date with the latest developments coming out of the field. He is constantly inspired by the rapid pace of innovation and hopes to continue to be a part of that in the future. Aside from his technical interests, he enjoys playing piano, mountain hikes and biking, amateur photography and travelling (all time allowing, of course). |
| Matthew Woods │ Electrical Design
Matthew, now in his first year of masters joined the team as a Mechanical Engineering undergraduate at the end of 2013 for his final year design and research project. He was tasked with the design of the electrical system of the car including the configuration of the photovoltaic array on the 2014 car, Hulamin-iKlwa. Matthew was part of the team that went on to race the car in the 2014 Sasol Solar Challenge. He is still working on the electrical and PV design for the new car as well as the energy storage system with the aim of improving the overall functionality and efficiency of the system and complying with the 2015 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge regulations. Matthew is a newly qualified diver and a committee member of the UKZN Underwatrer club. He also enjoys travelling to new places and playing with his cat, Schumi. |
| Nicholas Witteveen │ Mechanical/Electrical Design
Nic is currently a Mechanical Engineering MSc student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Nic joined the UKZN Solar Car Team at the end of 2013 for his final year of his undergraduate degree as part of a six person design team, set at taking part in the 2014 Sasol Solar Challenge. Working on the aerodynamic and energy storage side of the car, he designed the car’s canopy and battery pack. Using experience gained in the 2014 challenge, Nic is currently co-designing the new energy storage system, aiming at large improvements to the efficiency and reduction in losses. He is also part of the team responsible for the project logistics. In his free time Nic enjoys recreational diving and is a committee member of the UKZN Underwater Club. |
| Peter Sinclair │ Mechanical Design
Peter first became a member of the team as an undergraduate student at the end of 2013. He was primarily concerned with the design of the composite structural elements of the vehicle, although he also took interest in the driver canopy and braking systems. Along with the UKZN Solar Car Team, Peter participated in the Sasol Solar Challenge in 2014. He was one of the two primary solar car drivers for this race across sunny South Africa. Peter is currently in his first year of his Masters, specialising in design optimisation using computational analysis. The designs produced in this thesis will be used to install new components to the ATLAS Experiment at CERN in Switzerland during the next Large Shutdown in 2018. Peter is an avid garden cricketer and enjoys an ice cold beer after a day in the sun. |
| Robert Mawbey │ Electronic Design
Robert is a final year Electronic Engineering student from UKZN. Born into a family run electronics shop, Robert developed a passion for electronics from an early age. He quickly developed practical electronic skills from his family, which have allowed him to be a part of a wide variety of practical projects both within and outside of university. Robert leads the electronic team which joined the UKZN Solar Car Team in 2015, to undertake the task of developing an integrated telemetry system for the 2015 Bridgestone World Solar Car Challenge. Robert has a wide variety of interests including 3D printers and autonomous unmanned vehicles. Currently Robert works in a 3D printer manufacturing business, which started out of his family business. |
| Saien Rugdeo │ Mechanical Design
Saien is currently doing his Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering focused on the area of Finite Element Analysis. He joined the team at the end of 2013, as a Mechanical Engineering Undergraduate. He contributed to the design and manufacture of several mechanical aspects of the 2014 Solar Car, Hulamin-iKlwa. His responsibilities during the design process were the suspension system, steering and braking. He was part of the winning race team that entered the 2014 Sasol Solar Challenge. He will be a part of the 2015 team that are entering the 2015 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge in October. In his limited spare time he enjoys re-watching classic movies and sporting events and catching up on current series. He is also a committee member of the UKZN underwater club and a recreational diver. |
| Shaylen Govender │ Mechanical Design
Shaylen is a final year student from Durban studying Mechanical Engineering. He joined the UKZN Solar Car Team in 2015, tasked to design the steering mechanism and assist with weight optimisation of the front suspension on the new car, Hulamin. Shaylen has a passion for traveling the world and animal welfare. He enjoys playing tennis, swimming and spending time with his family and friends. |
| Shuvay Singh │ Mechanical Design
Shuvay is a postgraduate student from Richardsbay working towards his Masters in Mechanical Engineering at CERN in Switzerland. As an undergraduate, Shuvay was a member of the 2014 UKZN Solar Car Team. Shuvay was involved with the design and analysis of the lightweight rear suspension and ride height adjustment mechanism. In addition to this he designed a cable based steering system using an innovative concept with push-pull control cables. After production of the 2014 car, Hulamin-iKlwa, he was one of the two primary drivers for the team during the 2014 Sasol Solar Challenge. Shuvay will repeat this role as a driver in the 2015 World Solar Challenge with the upgraded and improved solar car. Shuvay is a passionate fan of football and Formula 1, and a diehard car enthusiast. In his spare time he enjoys go-karting, table tennis and reading. |
| Terayza Eldridge │ Electronic Design
Terayza is a final year student from Durban studying Electronic Engineering. She joined the team in 2015 for her design project to work on the electronics and telemetry system. She designed the motion board which provides the speed and acceleration of the vehicle. In her free time, Terayza enjoys modern dancing, sewing for herself and family members, and cooking and baking. She is a lover of animals, who hopes to have as many pets as possible one day. |
| Vaughan Thomson │ Technical Advisor
Vaughan is a Mechanical Engineer and has completed his Master’s Degree doing research into the crashworthiness of laminated composites. His work in industry has included acoustic fatigue analysis of composite aircraft components, design and analysis of armoured vehicles and, more recently, the design and analysis of power plant components. He has provided advice and guidance on the analysis and construction of the UKZN Solar Car composite shell for the cars that entered the 2012 and 2014 Sasol Solar Challenge, South Africa. His involvement for the World Solar Challenge, besides general team duties, includes optimisation of the composite shell for the 2015 race. When not working as an engineer, Vaughan enjoys cycling, playing poker and practising Taekwon-do. |