DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY REPORT TO MEGA PAK ZIMBABWE

The ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius expressed his belief in the importance of learning from experience when he wrote: "I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.” Confucius related this to the acquisition of knowledge through seeing. "I see and I remember." This is the concept on which the Design and Technology department’s trip to Mega Pak Zimbabwe was based on.

On the 19^th of May 35 students and 4 members of staff went for a trip to Mega Pak Zimbabwe with the aim to visit the plastic production plant. The objective was to enable us students, to see various processes involved in the making of plastic products. At Mega Pak Zimbabwe which is now under a South African company known as Nampak, we arrived just before 9 am and were taken for induction by one of the supervisors. From the boardroom where the induction took place, we were guided by two tour guides who took us to different production plants where processes such as rotational moulding, injection moulding, blow moulding, injection blow moulding, extrusion and screen printing are done. We had the privilege to be taken through the quality assurance department, where samples of manufactured products are tested. They explained in detail all the processes. During the tour, we jotted down some notes and asked questions. We also learned more about safety precautions in such a heavy industry.

Our tour ended at 12:30. It can be concluded that the tour was successful and we believed that our objective was achieved. We learned something new and beneficial. It is important for practical students to have such kind of tours which help consolidate the understanding of theoretically learnt concepts. I want to thank our teachers, the Director of studies and the Head, Mrs Benson for according us this opportunity.

Compiled by Tsepo Sibanda