ZooClub wins gold at Eskom Expo

	Top achiever Ofentse Litsele won a gold medal, certificates, a digital camera, a R500 cash cheque and a R2600 incentive to enrol at the University of Pretoria.
	Oarabile Podile (right), seen here with the NZG's Parks Leshaba, won a silver medal for his presentation entitled "Going soft to save lives".
	Thulisile Khoza received a merit certificate for her work on acid rain.
	This year's event saw 517 participants from 52 different schools entering a total of 389 projects into the Northern Gauteng finals of the Eskom Expo.

It was a proud day for the National Zoological Gardens of South Africa (NZG) when its ZooClub members won several prizes at the Northern Gauteng finals of the Eskom Expo.

During an internal expo held at the NZG, five candidates were selected to present their projects at the regional Eskom Expo that took place at the University of Pretoria. This year's event saw 517 participants from 52 different schools entering a total of 389 projects.

The ZooClub's presentations ranged from acid rain and mycoherbicides to the effects of climate change on our natural environment. All the ZooClub members performed well and received participation certificates and rewards for their hard work. Thulisile Khoza and Mahlatsi Malope (Grade 11) and Mpho Mokhabela (Grade 10) received merit certificates, while Oarabile Podile (Grade 11) received a silver medal.

Gold ... and more

Ofentse Litsele (Grade 10) not only scooped a gold medal for his presentation, but won a digital camera as the Best Development Winner and a R500 cash cheque for Best Overall Project in the Agriculture Category. With these achievements Ofentse secured a place for himself among the top 50 achievers selected to present their work at the International Science Fair held in Johannesburg in the first week of October. The gold medallists moreover received a bursary of R2600 for future studies at the University of Pretoria.

Ofentse is making a name for himself as he also won the prize for the best ZooClub presentation at the 3rd Biodiversity Youth Symposium that was held at the NZG in August 2012.

"We are proud of our ZooClub members who, as true ambassadors of the NZG, are participating with great success in an assortment of events and activities," said Dr Clifford Nxomani, Managing Director of the NZG.

"We wish Ofentse the best of luck for the International Science Fair," he said. "We are confident that he will once again do us proud!"

Summary of achievements

Ofentse Litsele (Grade 10): Presentation on Mycoherbicides
Prizes:
Gold medal and R2600 bursary if he enrols at the University of Pretoria
Digital camera as Best Development Winner
R500 cash cheque for Best Overall Project in the Agriculture Category
As one of the top 50 achievers Ofentse has been selected to present his work at the International Science Fair

Mpho Mokhabela (Grade 10): Presentation on the effect of climate change on Carietta carietta
Prize: Merit Certificate

Thulisile Khoza (Grade 11): Presentation on acid rain
Prize: Merit Certificate

Mahlatsi Malope (Grade 11): Presentation on the effect of climate change on migratory birds
Prize: Merit Certificate

Oarabile Podile (Grade 11): Presentation entitled "Going soft to save lives"
Prize: Silver medal

By Claire Fordred, NZG Intern