Three outstanding young scientists have been selected to travel to Mexico to represent South Africa with their projects at the Expo Ciencias Nacional 2017.
Sashen Naidoo, Bongani Hadebe and Rafael Sapere were selected as the winners of this sought-after prize from among 600 of South Africa’s future engineers, chemists, physicists, mathematicians and innovators who were competing at the Eskom Expo, the country’s largest school-level science fair.
Every year hundreds of South Africa’s top young scientists compete at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair with the hope of taking home prizes worth more than R4 million and the chance to attend one of the prestigious international science fairs.
The Eskom Expo aims to encourage learners to pursue careers in the science, technology, engineering, maths and innovation fields by showing learners the exciting side of science as well as providing learners with the necessary support to further their studies.
While in La Paz, Mexico from 5 to 8 December the young scientists will compete with hundreds of other learners from around the world in the prestigious science fair.
Executive Director of the Eskom Expo Parthy Chetty said: “Every year we are impressed by the ingenuity that the participants show at the Eskom Expo and their commitment to finding innovative solutions to society’s most pressing problems.
“This year was no different and Sashen, Bongani and Rafael were obvious choices to represent South Africa at this prestigious science fair. Their solutions are sustainability-minded and really show that South Africans are developing innovative solutions in a range of fields.”
While in Mexico these young scientists not only meet and interact with other young scientists, but they take part in cultural exchanges and visit museums and biological research centres to further their exposure.
Eskom Group Executive: Transmission and Acting Group Executive Sustainability & Risk.Thava Govender added: “At Eskom we have a huge need for talented scientists and engineers and by supporting the Eskom Expo we are able to invest in developing a pipeline of talented technical specialists.
“The Eskom Expo isn’t just about cultivating an interest in the sciences but through strategic support we motivate and inspire promising young scientists to pursue their interest at a tertiary level.”
– African News Agency (ANA)
