By Hajira Khota                                                                                                                                                             05.10.2021

Although the Covid-19 pandemic has a significant impact on South African society and the economy, it has not stopped the country’s young scientists from delivering exceptional results in a recent national competition covering a variety of topics. This is obvious in this year’s Eskom Expo International Science Fair entries.

Due to the pandemic’s challenges, Eskom had to be proactive in coming up with new ways to organise and manage the competition, including as online workshops, video tutorials, virtual scientific clubs, and science day camps.

The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists is a non-profit organisation whose goal is to inspire young people to participate in activities in order to foster an interest in these fields and, in the long run, build scientific abilities that will lead to careers in science and engineering. The power generator sees itself as doing more than just producing electricity; it recognises the national benefits of instilling a love of science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and creativity in children says Parthy Chetty, the Executive Director of Eskom Expo International Science Fair who spoke to Radio Islam International.

Covid-19 also inspired some of the school students’ research, as seen by a number of award-winning projects, such as the multi-layered handkerchief made by Lesedi Masike and Mwanza Ng’nda from the North-West province to better control a cough or sneeze. They were awarded a regional Eskom Award for the best female project as a result of this.

The Eskom Expo, now in its 41st year, is supported by the Department of Public Enterprises, the Department of Science and Innovation, the Department of Basic Education, and the Presidency. It involves students presenting their scientific findings to judges, private sector professionals, academics, scientists, educators, students from other schools, parents, and other members of the general public.

Eskom’s official position is that growing the country’s skills base is a primary priority, and it welcomes the chance to identify outstanding students and set them on the path to academic success.

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