Top science learners honoured at the National Science Olympiad and competitions Award ceremony 2019

The South Africa Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) in collaboration with Harmony honored top learners on Thursday 26 September 2019, celebrating the National Science Olympiad and competitions awards ceremony. The event took place at the CSIR’s International Convention Centre, Pretoria in Gauteng.

The awards ceremony brought together learners from different schools across the country and from Zimbabwe. The awards ceremony celebrated top primary school and high school learners.

These learners have been battling it out in various science competitions, which include the Natural Science Olympiads, National Science Olympiads, National Schools Debates and Astroquiz. The main objective of these awards is to encourage excellence in science education and stimulate interest in the sciences. This year more than 80 000 learners participated in the initiative, which involved sitting for science quizzes, exams and debate.

The elegant award ceremony unfolded well with top achievers in the spotlight and motivational speeches and talks, of encouragement from distinguished guests. Amongst the guest speakers was the international FameLab runner-up and South African winner, Ms Keneilwe. Moropa. Ms Moropa encouraged the learners to continue majoring in science in science subjects beyond high school.

Mr Mashego Mashego an Executive Director represented Harmony Gold Mine Company Ltd the key driver in this initiative and the main sponsor for ten years. He emphasized why the company is involved in this project. “The truth that we all know is that our country needs more scientists, this is key for Harmony Gold Mine Company’s involvement in this project,’’ he said.

The event was also attended by educators and parents from different provinces. “These learners are the pool from which we draw our future scientists, doctors and inventors,” said Nolizwi Sitsheke, one of the parents who attended the ceremony.  “We are so thankful to SAASTA for the support that they give the learners, we celebrate their success, and we encourage them to continue with their studies”.

There were some memorable and magical moments as the Mamelodi String Ensemble entertained guests. Having performed in different countries, the string quartet brought the magic back home as they graced the stage to a well-received applause from those in attendance.

Michael Ellis, Science Communications Manager at SAASTA who was the program director expressed his gratitude “I would like to take this opportunity to thank every learner, educators, sponsorships and NRF-SAASTA staff members who made this even successful. Today we are celebrating our young scientists who have solutions to every problem; he continued elaborating how mathematics and science are important subjects.”

The national winners from all the competitions took home prizes such as trophies, laptops and tablet computers.

INTERMEDIATE PHASE:

GRADE 4 – 6   

TOP GRADE 4 LEARNER

Learner Gender School Province %
MP Debele F Nelson Ngubeni Primary Mpumalanga 78
           

 

TOP GRADE 5 LEARNER

Learner Gender School Province %
WM Muridili F Bashasha Primary Limpopo 82
           

 

 TOP ACHIEVERS GRADE 4 – 6

Position Learner Gender School Province Grade %
2 IF Kondile F Mbekweni Primary WC 6 82
1 SJ Jama M H2 Primary EC 6 83

SENIOR PHASE: GRADE 7 – 9 

TOP GRADE 7 LEARNER

Learner Gender School Province %
AB Siziba F Model Private EC 77
           

 

TOP GRADE 8 LEARNER

Learner Gender School Province %
A Bester M Pretoria Boys High Gauteng 80
           

TOP ACHIEVERS GRADE 7 – 9 

Position Learner Gender School Province Grade %
3 TW Nkwanyana M Zacheus Malaza Secondary Mpumalanga 9 83
2 A Kaur F Model Private EC 9 83
1 SM Mtsweni M Zacheus Malaza Secondary Mpumalanga 9 84

 AWARD CATEGORY: NATIONAL TOP 3 TEAMS   [Grade 7]  

Team Province
3rd Runner-up Baillie Park Primary School North-West
2nd Runner-up Ncotshane Primary School KwaZulu-Natal
Winner Laerskool Park Western Cape

   

  NATIONAL TOP 3 TEAMS [GRADE 11]     

Team Province
3rd Runner-up Holly Cross High School Western Cape
2nd Runner-up Port Shepstone High School KwaZulu-Natal
Winner Randfontein High School Gauteng

FET PHASE: LIFE SCIENCES GRADE 10 – 12

HIGHEST PARTICIPATION IN SPONSORSHIP OF HARMONY

 Each school received a cheque

Position School Province Entries Amount
3rd Place Thengwe High School Limpopo 988 R5,000
2nd Place Risinga High School Limpopo 1180 R7,000
1st Place Mbilwi Secondary School Limpopo 1238 R10,000

    

TOP GRADE 10 LEARNER

Learner Gender School Province %
AM Snyman F El Shaddai Christian School WC 60
           

 

TOP GRADE 11 LEARNER

Learner Gender School Province %
LM Lubowa M African Leadership Academy Gauteng 82
           

TOP GIRL LEARNER GRADE 10 – 12

Learner School Province Grade %
N Fakude St Matthews Secondary Gauteng 12 76
           

 

 TOP ACHIEVERS GRADE 10 – 12 SADC

Learner Gender School Province Grade %
KG Mapika M Gateway High Zimbabwe 12 90
             

 

TOP ACHIEVERS GRADE 10 – 12

Position Learner Gender School Province Grade %
3  P Gadri M African Leadership Academy Gauteng 12 81
2 LM Lubowa M African Leadership Academy Gauteng 11 82
1 MC Ramulongo M Livha Combined School Limpopo 12 88

 

FET PHASE: PHYSICAL SCIENCES GRADE 10 – 12  

TOP GRADE 10 LEARNER

Learner Gender School Province %
CR Ramonetha F Rasema Secondary Limpopo 52
           

 

 TOP GRADE 11 LEARNER

Learner Gender School Province %
Y Ebrahim M Star College Bridgetown WC 76
           

 

TOP GIRL LEARNER GRADE 10 – 12

Learner School Province Grade %
F

Desta (Des-Ta)

 African Leadership Academy Gauteng 12 69
           

TOP ACHIEVERS GRADE 10 – 12 SADC

Learner Gender School Province Grade %
IA Mlauzi F Arundel Zimbabwe 11 75
             

TOP ACHIEVERS GRADE 10 – 12

Position Learner Gender School Province Grade %
3  AJ Naidu M Eden College Durban KZN 12 74
2 Y Ebrahim M Star College Bridgetown WC 11 76
1 NN Philip M Mbilwi Secondary Limpopo 12 82