For 16-year-old Mvuyelwa Bam, taking part in the 2026 Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF) was about more than winning awards. It was a chance to test his research, engage with academics, and see how far his ideas could take him.
The learner from Abbotts College Johannesburg South represented the Gauteng South Region at the 46th Eskom Expo International Science Fair, where he earned a Bronze medal and a R40 000 Faculty of Science bursary award from Wits University.
Although proud of his achievements, Bam admits that his competitive nature initially made it difficult to appreciate the recognition.
“Initially, part of me was disappointed because I knew how much work I had put into the project and naturally I wanted to finish even higher,” he said.
However, reflecting on the experience helped him recognise the significance of what he had accomplished, particularly as one of the younger participants competing at this level for the first time.
“Getting recognised by Wits and reaching ISF showed me that the work I’m doing has real potential. More importantly, it showed me exactly how much further I can take it. I left the Expo more motivated than when I arrived.”
Bam describes himself as curious and ambitious, with a particular interest in understanding how things work and exploring how they could be improved. This curiosity has drawn him towards programming, artificial intelligence, engineering and scientific research.
His Eskom Expo journey began at the District Expo level, where he presented his research before progressing to the Gauteng South Regional Science Fair. There, he received a Gold medal and qualified to compete at the ISF.
Each stage presented new opportunities to refine his research, strengthen his scientific understanding and improve how he communicated his findings.
“What drew me to Eskom Expo was the opportunity to take an idea beyond just something I was working on by myself and actually have it challenged by other people,” he explained.
“I enjoy research, but I wanted to see whether what I was building could stand up when experts questioned it.”
One of the highlights of his ISF experience was engaging with judges and university academics who took a genuine interest in his research.
“Having university professors come to my stand, question my methodology and show genuine interest in my work was a very different experience from simply receiving a mark at school,” he said.
Beyond the judging sessions, Bam particularly enjoyed meeting young scientists from different parts of South Africa, each bringing their own perspectives, experiences and innovative ideas.
He described the event as one of the first occasions where he had been surrounded by so many young people who shared his enthusiasm for discovery and problem-solving. “By the end of the week, it felt like the Expo had become much bigger than just the competition,” he reflected.
Bam’s interest in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI) is driven by his desire to develop practical solutions to meaningful challenges. “I’ve never really been satisfied with only learning how something works. Once I understand it, my next thought is normally, ‘Okay, what can I do with this?’”
He is particularly motivated by difficult problems that require experimentation, persistence and the willingness to change direction when an approach does not work.
Looking ahead, Bam hopes to pursue research and technological development that addresses challenges facing South Africa and the wider African continent.
Outside the laboratory and his coding interests, he enjoys basketball, making music and listening to jazz, hip-hop and soul. He has also recently developed an interest in painting and visual art.
For Bam, these creative pursuits complement his scientific interests rather than compete with them. “A lot of the way I approach research actually comes from the same mindset I use when making music, experimenting, combining ideas and seeing what works,” he explained.
His advice to aspiring Eskom Expo participants is to focus on understanding their research rather than making their projects appear unnecessarily complicated.
“Judges can tell very quickly whether you actually understand what you’ve done. You should be able to explain why you made every major decision, what went wrong, what your limitations are and what you would improve if you had more time.”
He also encourages learners to start their research early, stay open to feedback, and embrace opportunities to improve their projects throughout the competition.
“Your first version probably won’t be your best version, and that’s completely fine. My own project changed significantly as I progressed through the different stages of Expo.”
For Bam, the experience’s greatest value extends beyond his Bronze medal and university bursary.
“Winning is obviously important, but some of the most valuable things I took away from ISF were the people I met, the feedback I received and the ideas I came home with.”
CreativeBox
