Grade 12 learner Bongokuhle Kekana saw months of hard work rewarded at the 46th Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF), where he took the stage three times during the Special Awards Ceremony and was provisionally awarded an Eskom Merit Bursary.
The Tersia King Learning Academy learner from Tembisa represented the Ekurhuleni Region and received the Eskom Special Award for Best Energy Project, earning a high-end laptop and R10 000 cash prize. He also received the PERT Industries Award, comprising an Elenco Snap Circuits SC-300R and a “Snapino Making Coding a Snap” kit valued at R5 000.
Kekana, who also won a Gold medal at the ISF, was provisionally awarded an Eskom Merit Bursary, subject to confirmation of his final National Senior Certificate results and compliance with Eskom’s bursary and admission requirements.
For Kekana, being called to the stage three times was particularly meaningful after setting himself the goal of improving on his previous Eskom Expo achievements. “Prior to this year, I’d never received any special awards, and I’d committed myself to doing better this year,” he said. “Seeing that my hard work paid off was the best.”
Winning the awards was an emotional affirmation of the time and effort he had invested in his research.
“It felt euphoric. To me, these awards are acknowledgement of my work,” Kekana said. “It showed that the long days I had to pull and the hours I spent on documentation weren’t just for nothing. It showed that someone truly did believe my work had value.”
His Eskom Expo journey began when his science teacher, Mr Luthuli, introduced Kekana and a friend to the competition. Neither had participated in this type of competition before, which made the opportunity particularly intriguing.
“We were curious how well we’d perform because this was a new type of competition we’d never been involved in before,” he said.
Kekana describes himself as naturally curious, with science, technology, engineering and mathematics helping satisfy his appetite for knowledge. Watching STEM-focused YouTube channels has further developed that interest.
Away from science, he is an avid music lover who plays the trumpet. Before the demands of his Matric year took over, gaming was another favourite pastime.
His own Eskom Expo journey has taught him that progress is rarely straightforward, and that is the message he wants other young scientists to remember.
“I’d tell them to start, to give it a try and not to stop once they face setbacks,” Kekana said. “My journey with Eskom Expo has not been a linear one, and for most of you it won’t be.”
Most importantly, he encourages participants to seek guidance when they need it.
“Just ask and seek out support. Eventually, you too will make a difference.”
CreativeBox
