Nine months of developing, building and refining an engineering project paid off for Thapelo Shawa, whose first Eskom Expo journey ended with a Silver medal and a R40 000 bursary from the Wits University Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the 46th Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF).
The 17-year-old Grade 11 learner at The King’s School Linbro Park represented the Johannesburg Region. He was one of two young scientists to receive the Wits University Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment Bursary, worth R40 000. The bursaries were awarded to young scientists who will be enrolling with the Faculty in 2027.
“Complete shock,” Shawa said of receiving the honours. “You really do not expect to walk away with major hardware on your very first run, especially when you realise some of the competitors have been doing this for two or three years.”
“Winning a Silver medal and a R40 000 Wits University bursary on my debut was surreal. It was this huge moment of validation that all the late nights and those nine months of grinding actually paid off.”
Engineering has fascinated Shawa since childhood. At six years old, programmes such as Science Max and Mister Maker introduced him to the excitement of creating things. “I just remember thinking, ‘When I grow up, I want to be a maker.’ I did not even know the word ‘engineer’ back then. I just knew I loved creating things from scratch,” he said. “That early spark never left. It just grew into a full-blown drive to build systems that solve real-world problems.”
That passion eventually led him to Eskom Expo. Shawa wanted an opportunity to develop an idea from scratch, construct a working prototype and put his engineering abilities to the test.
“I have been obsessed with engineering for as long as I can remember, so finding out about Eskom Expo felt like a natural next step,” he said. “This was my very first official Expo, and getting involved was all about seeing how far my drive and engineering capabilities could take me.”
One of the most valuable parts of ISF was the opportunity to discuss the project he had spent nine months developing with experts during judging.
“I have never really been able to talk freely about my work before, but meeting the judges at ISF allowed me to do just that,” Shawa said. “Sitting across from experts who are genuinely passionate about the field and interested in what you created was incredible. It gave me a space to open up and talk freely about something I dedicated nine months of my life to.”
Beyond Eskom Expo, Shawa is actively involved in his school community. He serves as a school prefect, is a head boy candidate and is one of three founders of his school’s Science Innovation Club. Mathematics is another major interest, and he takes Advanced Programme Mathematics. He also recently attended the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Cape Town.
When engineering is not occupying his attention, Shawa’s other major passion is volleyball. “After engineering, volleyball is honestly my second love,” he said. Having previously played regularly, he hopes to join a university team and return to competitive volleyball in future.
For young scientists entering Eskom Expo for the first time, Shawa recommends choosing a project with enough potential to grow with them. “Pick a project that has real longevity, something you can refine and build on over multiple years without getting bored of it,” he said.
“You are essentially dedicating months of your life to research and development, so if you do not genuinely love what you are doing, you will burn out.”
His experience has shown him the importance of genuine enthusiasm and perseverance. “When you choose a project that you are truly passionate about, that energy shows in your work and when you present to the judges. That real drive is what carries you all the way through.”
CreativeBox
