Gauteng leaners partake in Life Sciences Olympiad in Russia

Six Gauteng learners are proudly representing South Africa at the international Life Sciences Olympiad in Russia, marking a major achievement for both their schools and communities.

According to Andile Mzileni, the RCL president of Katlehong Engineering School of Specialization, the opportunity came after learners discovered the Olympiad through social media.

“Our learners gained interest after seeing the social media post,” said Mzileni.

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“At first, many learners wanted to join because it was a great international opportunity.”

However, the process moved quickly, leaving many interested learners unable to participate due to passport delays and limited preparation time.

Eventually, three learners from Katlehong Engineering SOS joined three learners from another school to form the six-member South African team travelling to Russia.

Mzileni explained that the selection process mainly focused on Grade 12 learners studying Life Sciences who were ready to travel within the limited timeframe.

“The six learners who met the requirements and were prepared in time became the group representing Gauteng and South Africa,” he said.

He added that the achievement means a great deal to both the school and the wider community.
“It proves that learners from our backgrounds can compete internationally,” said Mzileni.

“It brings pride not only to the school but also to families and the community. It also inspires other learners to work harder and believe that opportunities like this are possible for them too.”

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Before travelling, the learners focused on revising Life Sciences content and mentally preparing for representing South Africa abroad.

“Since the preparation time was short, they had to stay focused, disciplined, and work together as a team,” said Mzileni.

One of the biggest obstacles the learners faced was the short notice given before the competition.

Passport arrangements, travel logistics, and financial pressures became major challenges for many families. Despite this, support from schools, parents, and community members helped make the journey possible.

Mzileni believes international competitions such as the Life Sciences Olympiad play a critical role in motivating young people to pursue careers in science, engineering, and innovation.

“These competitions expose learners to global opportunities and show them the value of science and innovation,” he said.

“They help learners gain confidence, improve problem-solving skills, and become motivated to pursue careers in medicine, engineering, research, and technology.”

Sending a message to the learners currently in Russia, Mzileni encouraged them to remain proud and confident.

“They are representing not only themselves, but also their schools, communities, Gauteng, and South Africa,” he said.

“They should continue giving their best and making the country proud.”

Looking ahead, Mzileni hopes that Katlehong Engineering School of Specialization will continue opening doors for learners interested in science, engineering, manufacturing, transportation, and logistics.

“I also hope more young people in Gauteng become confident enough to take part in international opportunities and believe that their future is not limited by where they come from,” said Mzileni.