President Emmerson Mnangagwa has praised Zimbabweans for their capacity to drive groundbreaking innovations that challenge traditional global norms. This statement came as the President met with local inventor Maxwell Chikumbutso at State House in Harare, where Chikumbutso showcased his latest creation: the world’s first self-powering vehicles and motorbikes that operate on radio waves.
President Mnangagwa expressed his admiration for the invention, highlighting its uniqueness. “This is the only vehicle of its kind in the world; there is no other like it,” he remarked. The President acknowledged Chikumbutso’s extraordinary talents, noting that when the innovator first approached him, he had doubts about his claims but now fully recognized his brilliance.
Despite having limited formal education, Chikumbutso has defied expectations, and the President has supported him from the beginning. “They offered him US$3 million to stay in the United States, but he chose to stay here. He may not have gone far in school, but he is more educated than many engineers,” President Mnangagwa stated.
In addition to the self-powering vehicles, Chikumbutso has created wireless self-powering drones and televisions, some of which President Mnangagwa has personally used. “He brought a television to my house that doesn’t require wiring, and it works perfectly,” the President shared, praising the inventor’s ingenuity.
Chikumbutso explained the science behind his breakthrough, detailing how he harnesses radio frequencies, measured in nanovolts, to generate pure, usable energy. His innovative technology, which defies traditional energy principles, has been met with skepticism internationally. The inventor shared a harrowing experience in the United States, where he and a colleague were poisoned for developing an unconventional idea. His colleague tragically passed away from the poisoning, an event that Chikumbutso attributed to the disruptive nature of his technology.
He also discussed the potential applications of his latest invention, which he described as a “moving generator” capable of powering homes. “This vehicle can provide 15 kilowatts of energy to power your house,” he explained.
President Mnangagwa commended Chikumbutso for his perseverance in the face of adversity and his determination to push the boundaries of science and innovation, reinforcing Zimbabwe’s potential to lead in technological advancement.
