A grade 12 learner from Kwazulu-Natal has won the top prize at the 2016 Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair (ISF).
Eskom said budding scientist S’nenhlanhla Dlami from public school Ongoye Secondary in Richard’s Bay, Kwazulu-Natal had been awarded a full scholarship, sponsored by Siemens, to study in Germany.
“Her project is entitled Smart Home Energy Saver in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation category and was one of the 580 finalists who competed at this year’s ISF, where over R4 million worth in prizes were awarded to budding scientists from across the country and abroad,” the power utility said in a statement on Saturday.
There were contestants from other countries that included Mexico, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Swaziland.
An awards ceremony was held at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre where 52 gold, 87 silver and 222 bronze medals were awarded.
The annual Expo encourages learners from across Africa to showcase their talents and pursue careers in the Sciences. The three-day event is the largest science fair in South Africa.
Eskom Acting Group Executive for Sustainability, Transmission and Risk Leo Dlamini, who was at the Awards Ceremony said: “Just engaging with these young scientists strengthens my belief in the future of South Africa.
“All the finalists have got the capacity to inspire their fellow learners in their schools and communities and they should do just that.
“The fields of science, maths and technology are key to our development as a country. Youth unemployment remains our biggest challenge and we need to create opportunities in science and technology for as many young people as we can, because this lays the foundation for innovation,” said Dlamini.
Learners from 35 regions across the continent compete to take part at the ISF. Only the top 580 were selected to represent their regions.
“This year has been another momentous one for the Eskom Expo with 5393 female participants, versus 3564 male participants, while learners from Brazil, Mexico, Thailand, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe have participated for the fifth year in a row. Notably, this year has seen a phenomenal growth of 43% school participation across the country,” said Dlamini.
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