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Local Young Scientists Earn Prestigious Honours
Young scientists at the Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF) were recognised for their hard work and innovation, receiving various rewards, including full and partial bursaries, cash prizes, laptops, tablet computers, and opportunities for work-based exposure during their school holidays.
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The ISF took place at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg during the first week of October, bringing together talented young scientists from South Africa and other countries.
Eskom, the title sponsor, awarded 23 full bursaries valued at up to R450,000 each and four special awards in the categories of best female, best development, best energy, and best innovation projects related to energy.
Among the winners, Likitha Chundru, a Grade 11 learner from Bryanston High School, Johannesburg, received the Eskom Special Award in the best female category for her innovative project on enhancing plant growth using Rhizobium spp. Bacteria. She also won the Meiring Naudé Award for the most inspiring project.
Amogelang Mampane, a Grade 12 learner from Soshanguve Automotive School of Specialisation in the Northern Gauteng Region, was awarded the Eskom prize for the Best Development Project for his exceptional knowledge of electric cars.
Keerthana Nair from Bryanston High School won the Eskom Award for the Best Innovation Project for her innovative approach to detecting tuberculosis in sputum quickly, which has potential significance in areas with limited medical resources.
Sithembile Hlehliso and Kabelo Sekoere from Senakangwedi High School in Bloemfontein, Free State, received the Eskom Best Energy Project award for their research on improving the efficiency of solar panels.
Mologadi Motshele, Acting CEO of the Eskom Development Foundation, praised these young scientists for their dedication and outstanding achievements. He emphasised the increasing presence of young women scientists in STEM fields.
Parthy Chetty, Executive Director of Eskom Expo, expressed gratitude to sponsors and partners supporting STEM education and rewarding young scientists. He highlighted the enrichment, new experiences, and international friendships participants gained from the event.
Several sponsors provided vital support, including Siemens Pty Ltd, Innomotics, Siemens Energy, FFS, Babcock International, Ekurhuleni Drums, Trisim Logistics, Berea Plumbers, and the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NIThECS).
Additionally, universities like the University of Witwatersrand, the University of Pretoria, and the Durban University of Technology offered academic support through bursaries and mentorships.
Siemens Energy contributed two full bursaries worth close to R1 million, including tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation, meal allowances, and laptops, for winners to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Engineering at a South African university of their choice.
Lastly, Lethabo Molobi from Zinniaville Secondary School received the University of Pretoria/Dr. Derek Gray Memorial Award for the research project titled ‘Can humans recognise text produced by AI chatbots?’ This award includes the Derek Gray Gold Medal, attendance at the Stockholm International Youth Science Seminar during Nobel Week, and a three-year study bursary in the sciences or engineering at the University of Pretoria, subject to meeting the required criteria.
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Photo: Supplied by Citizen
