Learners awarded for their dedication

By Itumeleng Sebola

Learners from various schools across the country have been battling it out in various science competitions including the National Schools Science Debates, AstroQuiz and the Natural Science Olympiads.

On Monday 01 October 2018, the AstroQuiz provincial winners went head to head to compete for the national title at the Ditsong Museum in Pretoria CBD, while the science debating provincial winners competed on Tuesday at the National Research Foundation (NRF).

After long hours of competing for the top honours, the learners and educators from different schools, adjudicators and various dignitaries, gathered at Saint George Hotel to celebrate the winners and top performers.

The South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), a business unit of the National Research Foundation, awarded top learners in Natural Science Olympiads, AstroQuiz and School Science Debates at the glittering awards ceremony on Tuesday evening.

In the National Schools Science Debate, Crawford College from Pretoria scooped first place and won an all-expenses paid trip of a science tour overseas. Merrifield Preparatory School and College from the Eastern Cape came in second place and Port Shepstone High School from Kwa-Zulu Natal took third position.

1st place- Crawford College Pretoria (Gauteng)
2nd place- Merrifield Preparatory School and College (Eastern Cape)
3rd place- Port Shepstone High School ( Kwa Zulu Natal)

In the Natural Science Olympiad Kwa-Zulu Natal dominated with two of their learners being top performers in grade 4 to 6. The 3rd place went to AD Davids from the Western Cape, 2nd place KB Mnisi from Kwa-Zulu Natal and NS Gama took first position.

Henneman Primere, from the Free State, were announced AstroQuiz 2018 National Winners, Ncotshane Primary from KZN took second place and Laerskool Voorpos from Gauteng took third position. The evening was led by master of ceremonies Abraham Gentsu who welcomed all the guests and gave a reminder that the evening was to celebrate the learners’ hard work.

AstroQuiz 2018 National Winners Hennenman Primere (Free State)
AstroQuiz Position 2 Ncotshane Primary (Kwazulu Natal)
AstroQuiz 2018 Position 3 Laerskool Voorpos, (Gauteng)

SAASTA Manager in Education Division, Mr Moloko Matlala, acknowledged the learners and the teachers for their hard work and dedication throughout the competitions.

“Science is always around us, what we do every day revolves around science and I wish the learners the best in their future endeavours and I hope to see future scientists, engineers, etc,” he added.

Founder of Mathemaniacs, Ms Mabatho Mokiti, who was the motivational speaker of the night, shared her mathematics journey. She shared her love for maths and how it opened so many opportunities for her and helped her to start her business, which led into other businesses.

TOP NATURAL SCIENCE LYMPIADS PERFORMERS

TOP ACHIEVERS FOR GRADES 4 TO 6
# LEARNER GENDER SCHOOL NAME PROVINCE GRADE % PRIZE
1 NS Gama F Ncotshane Primary School Kwa Zulu Natal 6 79 Laptop
2 KB Mnisi M Ncotshane Primary School Kwa Zulu Natal 5 77 Laptop
1 AD Davids M Golden Grove Primary Western   Cape 6 76 Laptop
TOP LEARNERS PER GRADE (GRADES 4 AND 5 ONLY)
# LEARNER GENDER SCHOOL NAME PROVINCE GRADE % PRIZE
1 AM Mkhize M Sifiso Sethu Primary School Kwa Zulu Natal 4 70 Laptop
1 KB Mnisi M Ncotshane Primary School Kwa Zulu Natal 5 77 Tablet
TOP GIRL LEARNER (GRADES 4 TO 6)
# LEARNER GENDER SCHOOL NAME PROVINCE GRADE % PRIZE
1 NS Gama F Ncotshane Primary School Kwa Zulu Natal 6 79 Tablet
TOP ACHIEVERS FOR GRADES 7 TO 9
# LEARNER GENDER SCHOOL NAME PROVINCE GRADE % PRIZE
1 V Moreti F Phala Secondary School Limpopo 9 86 Laptop
2 M Kutama F Bashasha Primary School Limpopo 7 84 Laptop
3 A Kaur F Model Private School Eastern Cape 8 82 Laptop
TOP LEARNERS PER GRADE (GRADES 7 AND 8 ONLY)
# LEARNER GENDER SCHOOL NAME PROVINCE GRADE % PRIZE
1 M Kutama F Bashasha Primary School Limpopo 7 84 Tablet
1 A Kaur F Model Private School Eastern Cape 8 82 Tablet
TOP GIRL LEARNER (GRADES 7 TO 9)
# LEARNER GENDER SCHOOL NAME PROVINCE GRADE % PRIZE
1 V Moreti F Phala Secondary School Limpopo 9 86 Tablet