Maboni Mmatli

I am Maboni Malose Mmatli from Segoahleng in Polokwane, Limpopo province. I am currently a science journalist intern at the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) hosted by Seipone community newspaper in Polokwane. I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Science majoring in Botany and Zoology at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in the Eastern Cape.

As a science journalist for Seipone newspaper I cover science related stories and focusing on the Point of Use Water Treatment Technology (POU). This is a technology solution suitable for rural communities that do not have access to clean safe water as they still collect water from the streams and rivers for drinking. This POU is termed Woven-Fabric Microfiltration Gravity Filter. The POU systems will ensure that these communities will be able to treat their water to acceptable standards. The systems will provide users with approx. 30 to 40 L per day of safe filtered water for drinking and cooking. The proposed project will directly benefit those households who are selected for the demonstration by providing them with clean drinking water.

My aim is to provide science related information to the community in ways that the people can understand it and the impact of science in their daily lives and use the information to empower themselves. The stories that I cover for the newspaper ranges from innovative technology POU, sustainability to innovation. I regard myself as an all rounded, people’s scientist.