SAASTA getSETgo, January 2014: Matatiele honours its bright young scientists

Glen Makhoba and Peter Theron were honoured by the small community of Matatiele in the Eastern Cape for their outstanding performance during the Learner Focus Week in Energy and the International Science Fair.

These budding scientists will be supported through various projects and programmes implemented by the National Research Foundation (NRF) to ensure their ongoing interest and success in science and technology. They were also presented an opportunity to visit the Beijing Science Festival later this year by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA).


Glen Makhoba (left) and Peter Theron will visit the Beijing Science Festival later this year, courtesy of SAASTA		From the left: SAASTA's Mthuthuzeli Zamxaka, Glen Makhoba, Dr Jabu Nukeri (MD of SAASTA) and Peter Theron

"We want to nurture these young scientists and unleash their full potential," said Dr Jabu Nukeri, Managing Director of SAASTA.

Prof Malik Maaza, the UNESCO UNISA Africa Chair of Nanoscience/Nanotechnology, will be taking these two young scientists under his wing to mentor them through their innovative science project. Maaza also guaranteed the learners a science excursion to Paris. "I want these learners to advance to a higher science level and I want them to succeed and see for themselves that science opens up ample opportunities in life," he said.

Mr Benny Thobejane of the Department of Energy said that he was impressed with the standard of the project entered by these two learners. He noted that the learners were following in the footsteps of great science legends such as Oliver Tambo, who was also a science graduate from the Eastern Cape.

"They have reached high, for stars lie hidden in their soul," said Ms Tabisa Tshangana, also from the Department of Energy.

Peter and Glen presented their project on alternative energy to an audience of enthusiastic guests that included professional scientists, educators, learners and members of the community. The crowd ululated and applauded while the two demonstrated the solar power project that won them numerous prestigious awards and prizes, and earned their school, Focus High School, the award for Best Rural High School.

What a momentous year this has been for the community of Matatiele and Focus High School - not only did they witness an impressive science project by their own learners, but they also gained an understanding of the positive impact science can have on a focused and determined learner's life.

Dr Jabu Nukeri encouraged Matatiele's learners to follow their purpose and use their science talent for the greater good. "You must maintain the right environment for you to grow and flourish; you might be talented … but if you don't find yourself in the right environment you will not grow. Maintain your focus on education and your future will remain bright," he said.

Words of encouragement were heard throughout the event and science was the overriding theme of the day, an integral part of what SAASTA aims to achieve - to change lives through science.