Yebo Gogga sparks curiosity about tiny creatures and big lessons
From insects and spiders to environmental science and conservation, the 2026 Yebo Gogga exhibition at Wits University is giving learners and residents a closer look at the hidden world of nature and why every creature matters.
Tiny creatures, often ignored or feared by people, are once again taking centre stage at the 2026 Yebo Gogga Exhibition, where organisers hope to spark curiosity about the natural world and encourage visitors to better understand the role every living organism plays in the environment.
The exhibition, hosted from May 13 to 17 at the Oppenheimer Life Sciences Building at Wits University, focused this year on the theme of food and water, exploring how living organisms survive, interact, and avoid becoming food themselves.
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Donald McCallum said the exhibition aims to help people appreciate the complexity and importance of nature, including insects and organisms many would rather avoid.
“Food and water are very important. Nothing will function without them. We would like people to see what a wonderful world it is and that all the little bits are important.”
He noted that even creatures such as flies and mosquitoes, often viewed negatively, serve essential ecological functions. “If flies were not there, dead things would sit around and rot slowly.
There would be smells and more bacteria. Everything has a role to play.”
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Originally launched 30 years ago, in partnership with the Johannesburg Zoo, Yebo Gogga initially focused largely on insects and entomology before expanding into broader natural sciences, including chemistry, physics, palaeontology, and environmental education.
McCallum encouraged residents to make environmentally conscious choices, including planting insect-friendly vegetation and limiting pesticide use where possible.
With large numbers of school learners attending the exhibition, he hopes children leave with a greater appreciation for nature, and less fear of creatures such as spiders and snakes.
“A lot of what we do is based on fear. If children can see these creatures are not necessarily dangerous and understand their purpose, then they can replace fear with fascination.”
The exhibition will continue on May 16 and 17 for the community to learn more about the fascinations of nature and what creatures lurk below.
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