Young geoscientist is an inspiration to all

MARVEL Makhubele (24) from Louis Trichardt aspires to be a top geoscientist.

As junior geoscientist at Sasol Exploration and Production International in Rosebank, this University of Cape Town graduate said he was working on projects in Nigeria, Gabon and Durban.

He studied towards a B.Sc in chemistry and geology thanks to the Sasol bursary scheme after he matriculated from Ozias Davhana Secondary School.

“I love travelling. Being in the petroleum geosciences field takes you around the world, because this is an internationally based industry,” said Makhubele.

“Over the years, I’ve had people, both young and old, come up to me to tell me how much I inspire them and how they look up to me. I once received an SMS from a young person who met me when I came to give a motivational talk at his school. He said I had inspired him to pursue a career in medicine at Medunsa.”

Makhubele says the best thing about studying with a bursary was that he did not have to worry about funding or finding employment after his studies. The Sasol bursary scheme funded his registration, tuition and accommodation fees, meals, a laptop allowance, as well as vacation work.

Londiwe Zulu, lead consultant in human resources at Sasol said Sasol prioritised and was committed to investment in South Africa’s next generation of scientists and engineers through a comprehensive bursary programme that focused on the country’s brightest minds.

She said future professionals will not only support Sasol’s growth ambition, but would help to enhance South Africa’s pool of expertise where there was a critical shortage.

“To young learners who come from disadvantaged backgrounds: don’t stop believing, it is possible, you might not have had a say to which family you are born into, but you have a say in how you will live the rest of your life. Keep working hard,” advised Makhubele.