With drones the only way is up and away

DRONES are the future of the youth.

Marshall Nelson, a film producer from Mitchells Plain, believes they are the way of the future and runs a programme to educate young people about modern technology.

Nelson is the founder of Youth Media Movement, where youths learn how to build, fix and operate a drone, including 21st-century computer skills.

The aim, he said, is to make the youth employable as the world evolves.

Nelson, who trained 25 youths recently, is starting three-month post-matric courses. He has a remote operator certificate, which allows him to fly drones commercially.

“Robots are the future and we are bringing those skills to people right here in Mitchells Plain,” he said.

“The market will look for people in the future who can maintain, fix, code and operate machines. We are creating a revolution which will create job opportunities for the youth.

“With that, we have a 3D scanner which can scan your entire body and make a replica of you in a doll form.

“We have youth here who have never flown a drone before or knew what it was about, and now they are equipped with 21st century skills.”

Tyrese Claasen, from Mitchells Plain, said the experience blew him away: “It was amazing to learn how to build a drone and how to maintain it and we managed to work on a lot of 21st century technology, which I love,” he said.

“When I arrived I did not know anything about drones,” said Nolousindiso Mbayana, from Khayelitsha.

“I have learnt about 21st century skills, how to fix and build drones, and how to fly a drone.”