As South Africans celebrate Heritage Month, much of the focus turns to culture, food, and tradition. But the country also has a legacy of innovation that has left a mark on the world, from medical breakthroughs to everyday household tools. Here are five inventions that were proudly developed on South African soil.
One of the most recognisable is the Kreepy Krauly, the automatic pool cleaner that became a household name worldwide. It was designed in 1974 by Ferdinand Chauvier, a hydraulics engineer from Springs. Today, it remains one of South Africa’s most successful exports.
Proudly South African Pratley putty.
Image: Supplied
Another is Pratley Putty, a strong adhesive invented in the 1960s by George Montague Pratley. Its durability was so trusted that NASA used it on the Apollo 11 mission in 1969, making it the only South African product to travel to the moon.
Sports fans may be familiar with the speed gun, a device that measures how fast a ball is bowled, pitched, or served.
It was invented by Henri Johnson in 1992 for use in cricket, but quickly became a fixture in tennis, baseball, and other international sports.
