A Grade 9 learner from Tyger Valley College in the east of Pretoria was awarded the SciFest ISF 2025 International Award for her research project.

Khushi Lall formed part of Team South Africa that made a remarkable impact at the SciFest International STEM Fair (ISF) in Dublin, Ireland, bringing home top honours for their exceptional scientific research and innovations.

The all-girl team, made up of three talented teenage scientists, competed virtually in the fair from November 20–21, with each earning an award.

Team South Africa included Lall, Marlhuné Bezuidenhout (a Grade 9 learner from Hoërskool Secunda), and Milani Mjiji (a Grade 10 learner from Port Rex Technical High School in East London).

Lall was awarded the SciFest ISF 2025 International Award for her research project, Garlic: Nature’s Secret to Food Preservation.

She also scooped the Top Junior Scientist Award at the Eskom Expo International Science Fair in October.

She investigated the antibacterial potential of two indigenous South African wild garlic species, Tulbaghia violacea and its hybrid T violacea × T acutiloba.

She discovered that both species inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, with soil-grown extracts showing stronger preservative properties than aeroponic ones.

Her findings suggest that wild garlic could serve as a promising natural alternative for food preservation and antimicrobial use, a ground-breaking step towards combating resistant microbes and improving global food safety.

“I feel truly honoured to receive this SciFest award, and I am grateful for this opportunity and for the recognition of my project,” Lall said.

She said this award reminds her that she’s capable of achieving great things.

“Winning this encourages me to keep exploring and learn new skills. I am proud of what I have accomplished, and I am excited to see what lies ahead in the future”

Bezuidenhout was awarded the SciFest ISF 2025 Runner-up International Award for her research project, Pasture-based Sheep Farming System: Implications for Livestock, Lambing Rates, Growth Margins, and Human Health Due to Bioaccumulation of Heavy Metal.

Mjiji received the SciFest ISF 2025 Achievement in STEM Award for her research project titled Comparative Evaluation of Moringa oleifera Seed Forms for Low-Cost Water Treatment.

SciFest was the brainchild of the current SciFest CEO, Sheila Porter. The aim was to encourage a love of STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) through active, collaborative, inquiry-based learning and to provide a forum for learners at the local and regional level to present and display their scientific investigations.

The CEO of the Eskom Development Foundation (Acting), Mologadi Motshele, congratulated the trio.

“You are powerful examples of what girls in STEM can achieve on the global stage, and your success shows just how far curiosity and hard work can take you,” she said.

Motshele said Eskom is proud to support and encourage young scientists who are pushing boundaries and making their mark internationally.

“Your achievements show the enormous potential within South Africa’s youth, and we hope your success inspires many more learners to step into the world of research and innovation.”

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