Eskom Expo Stellenbosch marks 25 years of inspiring young scientists

Eskom Expo Stellenbosch celebrated its 25th anniversary in style, showcasing groundbreaking research and innovative solutions from the region’s brightest young scientists.

The celebrations took place in the form of a regional science fair, held at Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch on 22 August which featured 212 projects showcased by 309 young scientists in Grades 4–12 and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) NC(V) Level 2 to NC(V) Level 4 students. These learners had progressed in their Expo journeys after taking part in various activities throughout the year, including workshops and District Expos.

The most popular category at this year’s fair was Social Sciences with 36 entries, followed by strong participation in Biomedical and Medical Sciences (32), followed by Engineering (30).

Eskom Expo Stellenbosch Regional Science Fair Director, Toinette Horn said learners from Metro East, Cape Winelands, and Overberg Education Districts came together to showcase their projects, providing young scientists from disadvantaged communities with the opportunity to uplift themselves and truly discover their potential.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to this milestone, including our exhibitors: the Cape Leopard Trust, Centre of Conservation Science Sharks, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Stadio, EduPonics, and Stellenbosch University’s Engineering Faculty for all sponsoring prizes and sharing your invaluable work; our category winner sponsors, Stellenbosch University and Quantum Physics, for the generous contributions; the Western Cape Education Department for the ongoing support and for attending this special event; and the Eskom Western Cape representatives who joined us at the prize-giving ceremony. Our deepest thanks also go to the Stellenbosch Expo Committee, whose dedicated volunteers make this event possible each year. Without your hard work, we would not be able to offer this opportunity of hope and science development to learners in our district. A special thanks to our title sponsor, Eskom for making all of this possible. We look forward to many more years of inspiring the next generation of scientists,” said Horn.

During the awards ceremony, learners were recognised for excellence in research and innovation. A total of 49 Gold medals, 67 Silver medals, and 46 Bronze medals were awarded. The outstanding young scientists were honoured with prestigious Special Awards from Eskom. The award recipients, who received Bluetooth wireless speakers with wireless chargers sponsored by Eskom, are as follows:

• Best Female: Akhanya Tyaliti, a Grade 12 learner at Somerset High School, “Can school learners recognise AI generated texts”
• Best Innovation: Nicolaas Steenkamp, a Grade 10 learner at Stellenbosch High School, “Investigating different Q-learning algorithms”
• Best Energy Project: Luan de Vries, a Grade 10 learner at Bellville High School, “Smart Solar”
• Best Development Project: Demira Ramjugernath and Precious Babafeni, Grade 9 learners at Rhenish Girls’ High School, “Low-cost fire alarm system”

The Chief Executive Officer of the Eskom Development Foundation (Acting), Ms Mologadi Motshele, said: “We call on all schools, educators, and parents to encourage their learners to take part in the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists. Participation goes far beyond winning prizes., It unlocks potential, builds confidence, and exposes young people to a world of possibilities. It is about saying to a learner in a rural or township school, ‘Your idea matters. Your voice in science is needed.’ The journey from school-level expos to the regional and national science fairs builds character, opens minds, and connects learners with opportunities that can change their future. The more schools that get involved, the stronger our pipeline of future scientists and innovators becomes, which essentially leads to a brighter South Africa.”

Stellenbosch University awarded cash prizes to the best junior project in each category, including:

• Agricultural sciences: Timo Kleinert and Daneel Bester, Grade 9 learners at Paul Roos Gymnasium, “How different cover crops influence water holding capacity of soil”
• Animal sciences: Suné Nel, a Grade 9 learner at Bloemhof Girls’ High School, “Voer vir Vlerke”
• Biomedical and medical sciences: Emma Benden, a Grade 9 learner at Bloemhof Girls’ High School, “Beauty on the surface, bacteria beneath”
• Chemistry and biochemistry: Mighael Meyer, a Grade 9 learner at Paul Roos Gymnasium, “Vergelyking van chemiese en minerale sonskerm se UV-beskerming”
• Computer sciences and software development: Lo-Marie Bierman, a Grade 9 learner at Bloemhof Girls’ High School, “Klassifikasie van die sentiment van teksboodskappe: Menslike gebruikers tenoor rekenaar algoritmes”
• Energy: Ethan Clemitson, a Grade 7 learner at Curro Durbanville, “‘Energetic’ Popcorn-pop all or flop small”
• Engineering: Demira Ramjugernath and Precious Babafeni, Grade 9 learners at Rhenish Girls’ High School, “Low-cost fire alarm system”
• Environmental studies: Etienne Uys and Migael Roos, Grade 7 learners at Lochnerhof Primary School, “Vang die rivier rommel”
• Physics, astronomy and space sciences: Kaylum Bezuidenhout and Austin Willemse, Grade 7 learners at Touwsrivier Primary School, “Beïnvloed kleur die verdampingstempo van nat T-hemde”
• Plant sciences: Louise de Wet and Lana Coetzee, Grade 9 learners at Bloemhof Girls’ High School, “Gesonde water = gesonde plategroei?”
• Social sciences: Layla Taljaard and Sadie Faure, Grade 9 learners at Bloemhof Girls’ High School, “Jammer ek’s laat, blammeer die verkeer”

Stellenbosch University awarded cash prizes to the best senior project in each category, including:

• Agricultural sciences: Yanling Liu, a Grade 10 learner at Rhenish Girls’ High School, “Food insecurity in SA: Can hydroponics be the solution?”
• Animal sciences: Kiran Jaynarayan, a Grade 11 learner at Curro Durbanville, “3D printing animal prosthetics”
• Biomedical and medical sciences: Rachael Jeffery and Jorja de Beer, Grade 11 learners at Curro Durbanville, “Nature’s antibacterial”
• Chemistry and biochemistry: Heidi van Wyk and Annaline Burger, Grade 10 learners at Parel Vallei High School, “Casein plastic vs synthetic plastic”
• Computer sciences and software development: Akhanya Tyaliti, a Grade 12 learner at Somerset High School, “Can school learners recognise AI generated texts”
• Earth sciences: Cullen Fillies, a Grade 10 learner at Protea Heights Academy, “Will macroalgae improve water quality by decreasing ammonia levels in water?”
• Energy: Luan de Vries, a Grade 10 learner at Bellville High School, “Smart Solar”
• Engineering: Lubin Venter and Sebastian Snyman, Grade 11 learners at Curro Hermanus, “Air Aware”
• Environmental studies: Annika Badenhorst, a Grade 10 learner at Bellville High School, “Red ons waters”
• Mathematics: Hein Nieuwoudt, a Grade 11 learner at Curro Durbanville, “Can faster Rubik’s Cube algorithms still be formed?”
• Physics, astronomy and space sciences: Janieke Prinsloo, a Grade 10 learner at Curro Hermanus, “Ashes to Art”
• Plant sciences: Wium van Niekerk, a Grade 10 learner at Paul Roos Gymnasium, “Evaluation of lavender oil for managing Penicillium digitatum on citrus”
• Social sciences: James Wilson, a Grade 10 learner at Curro Durbanville, “Checkmate the mind”

Additionally, Stellenbosch University awarded the Top Male cash prize to Wium van Niekerk, a Grade 10 learner at Paul Roos Gymnasium for the project “Evaluation of lavender oil for managing Penicillium digitatum on citrus”; and the Top Female cash prize to Layla Taljaard and Sadie Faure, Grade 9 learners at Bloemhof Girls’ High School for the project “Jammer ek’s laat, blammeer die verkeer”.

Other special awards included:

• CPUT: South African Quantum Technology Initiative Prize (2 x Raspberry Pi): Alex van der Westhuizen and Savio Bothma, Grade 11 learners at Curro Durbanville, “Catching a spark”
• Science Saves Sharks (A guided Kelp Forest Snorkel):

1. Ettiene Uys and Migael Roos, Grade 7 learners at Lochnerhof Primary School, “Vang die rivier rommel”
2. Kayden Wise, a Grade 10 learner at Curro Durbanville, “Hair into Fertiliser”

• Centre for Conservation

1. Isabel Visser & Dominique Fortuin, Grade 9 learners at Bloemhof Girls’ High School, “Die Aarde weef sy eie net”
2. Annika Badenhorst, a Grade 10 learner at Bellville High School, “Red ons waters”

• Eduponics (Free guided tour and talk on the farm for winner and class)

1. Shiloh Thomas, a Grade 7 learner at Spurwing Primary School, “Hydroponics: Using Different Nutrients Solution”
2. Josh Meyer and Leo Samuel, Grade 7 learners at Durbanville Primary School, “The Heavy Load”
3. Wian Lotter and Adrian van der Berg, Grade 8 learners at Protea Heights Academy, “Organiese vs konvensionele produkte”
4. Aiya Chen and Anushka Zaman, Grade 8 learners at Protea Heights Academy, “Light and plant growth”
5. Louise de Wet & Lana Coetzee, Grade 9 learners at Bloemhof Girls’ High School, “Gesonde water = gesonde plategrooi?”
6. Kayden Wise, a Grade 10 learner at Curro Durbanville, “Hair into Fertiliser”

Eskom Expo Executive Director, Parthy Chetty, said the Eskom Expo plays a powerful role in driving South Africa’s vision to grow future-ready skills in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Innovation (STEMI), starting at school level.

“This Regional Science Fair celebrates the energy, creativity, and curiosity of young scientists who are already shaping tomorrow’s solutions today. It’s more than a competition; it’s a launchpad for bold ideas and exciting careers in cutting-edge fields. The remarkable projects showcased, especially by learners from previously disadvantaged communities and young girls breaking barriers in science, remind us that innovation knows no limits. They are the future engineers, researchers, and leaders of this country. Congratulations to all the medal winners, your hard work and brilliance inspire us all. We look forward to seeing even greater achievements at the upcoming prestigious Eskom Expo International Science Fair,” said Chetty.

View images of the event by clicking here.