POLOKWANE – What started as a voluntary project in January has turned into regional glory for Jabez Christian Academy at the 2026 Eskom Expo for Young Scientists Capricorn Regional Science Fair.

In January, Jabez learners volunteered to join the school’s science expo group. Under the guidance of science teachers Zola Dengwani and Gillian Enslin, the different categories of the science expo were presented and explained to them.

Finding their niche

Each learner was encouraged to find their niche by identifying a category they liked best, with learners selecting categories linked to their future career paths to enhance their interest.

The task was then to identify a real-life problem within that career field and find a practical solution.

Learners were assigned to choose at least three problems. These were discussed as a group, with possible solutions presented and debated.

The entire group helped narrow down the best problem and most viable solution.

Each learner then had to present again to the group, focusing on one problem and its solution.

Research broken into stages

Their research was broken down into stages with strictly monitored deadlines, including:

• A hypothesis and literature review
• Methodology
• Research instruments such as questionnaires
• Prototypes

They also had to complete a full research report, which was presented to the school.

Preliminary selections were done at school level, with some learners feeling the pressure and dropping out as they struggled to balance schoolwork and expo projects.

Building confidence

The cluster presentation took place at Flora Park Comprehensive High School, which Enslin said boosted the learners’ confidence and motivated them to push forward.

The regional presentation for the Capricorn District took place at Jack Botes Hall from August 14 to 15.

Medal winners

Gr 11 learner Mpho Ramahuma received a bronze medal in the computer science category for her project, CuraPath, a web-based medical centre.

Fellow Gr 9 learner Jerusha Mthombeni proudly scooped a gold medal in the biomedical and medical sciences category, along with a special award for best female project.

Mthombeni impressed the judges with her invention, the smart neuro-resection needle, an operating device designed for oncology cancer treatment.

Both learners displayed their innovations at the expo and explained to inspectors and judges how their projects operated.

“We are definitely anticipating for them to go further and to the next level. This is indeed very encouraging,” said Dengwani.