Young scientists rewarded for excellence at 2026 Eskom Expo International Science Fair

Eskom, universities, industry partners, professional bodies, and other organisations committed to developing young scientific talent made the awards possible. Prizes ranged from cash awards and technology to higher education bursaries worth hundreds of thousands of rands.

Eskom Merit Bursaries

Eskom provisionally awarded merit bursaries to six young scientists following their achievements at the Special Awards Ceremony. The bursaries recognise academic performance, innovation and achievement and are subject to confirmation of the recipients’ final National Senior Certificate results and compliance with Eskom’s bursary and admission requirements.

The provisional bursary recipients are:

• Helené Fourie, Trio High School, Welkom Region, Free State
• Bongokuhle Kekana, Tersia King Learning Academy, Ekurhuleni Region, Gauteng
• Tabita Nthunya, Zimele High School, Mthatha Region, Eastern Cape
• Lihlelethu Shabalala, Hoërskool Generaal Hertzog, Nkangala Region, Mpumalanga
• Juma Mahango, Parow High School, Stellenbosch Region, Western Cape
• Ruchik Joshi, Zinniaville Secondary School, Bojanala Region, North West

The recipients will be required to meet the applicable academic, admission and bursary requirements before the awards are confirmed.

Eskom Special Awards

Four young scientists received Eskom Special Awards, with each recipient receiving a high-end laptop and R10 000 cash prize:

• Best Development Project: Tshepisho Nkosi, Nkangala Region
• Best Innovation Project: Reinhardt Rossouw, Northern Gauteng Region
• Best Female Project: Charlotte Gibbens, Bloemfontein Region
• Best Energy Project: Bongokuhle Kekana, Ekurhuleni Region

Siemens Energy Higher Education Bursaries

Hamzah Loonat and Shalom Lasimu, both from the Nkangala Region, were each awarded a Siemens Energy Higher Education Bursary valued at R675 000.

The full bursaries enable the recipients to study towards a Bachelor of Science in Engineering at any South African university of their choice and include tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation, meal allowances and a laptop.

Siemens Energy Rural School Science Club Awards

The Siemens Energy Rural School Science Club Awards recognised a rural school science club in each province. Each winning school received a laptop for its science club, while the young scientist representing the school received a tablet computer.

Recipients were:

• Jesmine Linnert, Jurie Hayes Primary School, Western Cape
• Milani Spani, Byletts High School, Eastern Cape
• Phologo Senyolo, Stanley Mopai Secondary School, Limpopo
• Reaotshepa Romane, Ngotwane Secondary School, North West
• Dimpho Ganakgomo, Thabane High School, Northern Cape
• Nkazimulo Sibiya and Abongile Ndlovu, Impumelelo High School, KwaZulu-Natal
• Solomon Baloyi, Mapala Secondary School, Mpumalanga
• Paseka Tlhako, Lesedi Secondary School, Gauteng
• Oreratile Khubeka, Witsieshoek Primary School, Free State

University of Pretoria-Derek Gray Memorial Award

Scott Baker from Bryanston High School in Johannesburg received the prestigious U.P-Derek Gray Memorial Award, comprising a University of Pretoria bursary valued at R600 000 and the Derek Gray Gold Medal.

The award was presented by Prof Rosemary Gray, one of the founding members of Expo, Prof Walter Meyer, an Expo participant in the 1980s, and Alan Gray, son of Derek and Rosemary Gray.

Meiring Naudè Award

Hannah Jordaan from the Mopani Region received the prestigious Meiring Naudè Award, comprising a Gold Medal and R5 000 cash prize. The award was presented by Prof Rosemary Gray, Prof Walter Meyer and Alan Gray.

FFS Refiners Awards

The FFS Refiners Awards recognised outstanding projects across science, engineering, technology, energy and environmental sustainability, with each recipient receiving an iPad.

Recipients were:

• Israa Adam, Cape Town Region, for the most innovative waste recycling project
• Daniël Lutz, Stellenbosch Region, for scientific learning, exploration, curiosity and creativity with a positive environmental impact
• Jonathan van Wyk, Eden Karoo Region, for the practical application of mechanical engineering principles
• Denica Swartz, Bloemfontein Region, for the practical application of chemical engineering principles
• Daniel Owusu-Ansah, Mthatha Region, for the practical application of electrical engineering principles
• Alaika Olla, Northern KwaZulu-Natal Region, for the ingenious use of available materials in scientific research experiments in non-renewable energy
• Reinhardt Rossouw, Northern Gauteng Region, for innovation in engineering technology
• Nathan Moolman, Johannesburg Region, for research focusing on alternative power sources, fuel efficiency and conservation
• Aiden Pösch, Gert Sibande Region, for research addressing ecology, sustainability and conservation
• Jemma Myburgh, Bloemfontein Region, for resource-saving or renewable energy applications
• Linathi Koyana, Eden Karoo Region; Shalom Arotiba and Unathi Iloh, Johannesburg Region, for exceptional achievement by young women in STEM
• Layla Ahmed, Port Elizabeth Region, for an engineering project focused on building and testing devices or structural solutions
• Timothy van der Westhuizen, Bojanala Region, for sustainable materials, green technology and power efficiency

Wits University Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment Bursaries

Jonathan van Wyk from the Eden Karoo Region and Thapelo Shawa from the Johannesburg Region each received a R40 000 bursary. The bursaries are awarded to young scientists who will be enrolling with the Faculty in 2027.

Wits University Faculty of Sciences Bursary

Mvuyelwa Bam from the Gauteng South Region received a Wits University Faculty of Sciences bursary valued at R40 000.

Wits-Edinburgh Sustainable African Futures Award

Stella-Mari Le Roux from the Stellenbosch Region and Rotshidzwa Nelufule from the Vhembe Region each received a tablet computer through the Wits-Edinburgh Sustainable African Futures Award.

WITS School of Human and Community Development Award

Neo Chuene from the Capricorn Region and Sinegugu Nkosi from the Gert Sibande Region each received a tablet worth R8 000.

University of Pretoria Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Bursaries

Daniel Ferreira from the Ehlanzeni Region and Paballo Nkwane from the Mopani Region each received a R45 000 bursary from the University of Pretoria Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. The bursaries are for young scientists enrolling in the Faculty in 2027.

Siemens PTY Ltd Awards

Ten young scientists each received a laptop from Siemens PTY Ltd for innovative projects involving the use of technology:

• Dakalo Mbedzi, Vhembe Region
• Philip Cloete, Gert Sibande Region
• Anabelle Bezuidenhout, Bethlehem Region
• Lethabo Mohlake, Waterberg Region
• Carel van Niekerk, West Coast Region
• Scott Baker, Johannesburg Region
• Srishti Hariparshad, KZN Central Region
• Shalom Lasimu, Nkangala Region
• Aneliswa Mnguni, KZN Far North Region
• Amukelwa Bhengu, KZN Central Region

National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences Awards

The National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NIThECS) presented high-end laptops to four young scientists:

• Ofentse Matabane, Northern Gauteng Region, for an outstanding project in Physics
• Phologo Senyolo, Mopani Region, for an outstanding project in Mathematics
• Snazo Nzama, KZN Central Region, for an outstanding project related to Earth Sciences
• Mashabela Mahlatjie, Capricorn Region, for an outstanding project in Computer Sciences

Shanice Francis Memorial Award

The Shanice Francis Memorial Award, sponsored by Ekurhuleni Drums and Containers CC, recognised projects providing novel solutions to environmental challenges. Each winning project received R5 000, with group project winners sharing the prize.

Recipients were Charles Coetzee and Ethan Oberholzer, Kimberley Region; Dean Weich and Milo Bonadei, Cape Town Region; Rorisang Mohlobuli, Bloemfontein Region; and Yusuf Moolla, Cape Town Region.

Reflecta Laboratory Supplies (PTY) LTD Special Awards

Each recipient received a R2 500 voucher.

In Biomedical and Medical Sciences, the recipients were Lilly McPherson, Bloemfontein Region, and Yu-Yao Chen, Stellenbosch Region.

In Chemistry and Biochemistry, the recipients were Arran Muller, Stellenbosch Region, and Razia Jonkers, Cape Town Region.

University of Johannesburg TechnoLab Award

Reatlegile Mangwane from the Bojanala Region and Mahir Siddika from the Kalahari Region each received a laptop through the University of Johannesburg TechnoLab Award.

Syntax South Africa Young Innovators Award

Eneme Qwabe from the KZN Central Region and Hlayiseka Hlungwane from the Mopani Region each received a Lenovo K10 Pro tablet computer. The award recognised innovative projects in IT and retail.

South African Environmental Observation Network Awards

The South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) recognised three outstanding environmental monitoring projects. Mikaela van der Merwe, KZN Far North Region; Jané Swanepoel, North Coast KZN Region; and Bontle Mokoena, Welkom Region, each received a tablet computer valued at R5 000.

ACER Africa (PTY) LTD Award

Syamthanda Thwala from the Ehlanzeni Region received a high-end laptop through the ACER Africa (PTY) LTD Award.

South African Institution of Civil Engineering Water Division Awards

The SAICE Water Division Awards recognised the following young scientists:

• Bronze, R3 000 each: Themba Malinga, KZN Central Region; Jecholia Moodley, Southern KZN Region
• Silver, R5 000 each: Dakalo Mbedzi, Vhembe Region; Palesa Hadebe, Northern KZN Region
• Gold, sharing R7 500: Hendré Keyser and Teneal Keyser, Northern Gauteng Region

Berea Plumbers Award

Theneha Chetty from the KZN Central Region received a high-end laptop for a water-related project addressing a real-world water problem.

PERT Industries Award

Bongokuhle Kekana from the Ekurhuleni Region and Hamzah Loonat from the Nkangala Region each received an Elenco Snap Circuits SC-300R and a “Snapino Making Coding a Snap” kit valued at R5 000.

Desiree Pillay Memorial Award

Abdulhafiz Kemale from the Gauteng South Region and Arnav Ramdas from the Northern KZN Region each received R5 000 for projects presenting innovative contributions to the transport industry.

RS GROUP Award

Layla Ahmed from the Port Elizabeth Region received a R10 000 voucher through the RS GROUP Award, which recognises an impressive engineering project.

CambriLearn-Built For How You Think Award

Rudra Patel from the Gauteng South Region received a laptop for a project demonstrating a genuinely unconventional approach or process to a research topic.

South African Institute of Electrical Engineers Special Award

Cayzen Haupt from the Port Elizabeth Region and Semakaleng Makgetha from the Waterberg Region each received a R3 500 cash prize through the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers (SAIEE) Special Award in Electrical Engineering.

Soil Science Society of South Africa Award

Nina Strydom from the Eden Karoo Region, Azariah Singh from the Southern KZN Region and Themba Malinga from the KZN Central Region each received R2 000 through the Soil Science Society of South Africa Award for Best Soil-Related Projects.

Suleman Bux Memorial Award

Tsaone Thekoeng from the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Region received a R5 500 cash prize, sponsored by an Eskom Expo alumnus. The award recognises an exceptional project by a young scientist under Grade 8 from a rural or Quintile 1 or 2 school that can uplift the community, embody the spirit of Ubuntu and demonstrate a passion for making a difference.

The Exhibitors Award

Hendré Keyser and Teneal Keyser from the Northern Gauteng Region received R1 000 each and a pair of True Wireless Stereo earbuds. The Exhibitors Award is selected by a group of ISF participants who review the projects and identify one that stands out to them.

The awards highlighted the breadth of research presented at ISF 2026 and the opportunities available to young scientists as their ideas progress from school and regional science fairs to the international stage. Through the support of Eskom and partner organisations, participants were recognised not only for their achievements at the fair, but also with opportunities that can support their continued education and development.