Marlhuné Bezuidenhout, a Grade 10 learner from Hoërskool Secunda, was one of the young scientists from South Africa who excelled at science competitions held in China and Tunisia.

Bezuidenhout took part in the Beijing Youth Science Creation Competition (BYSCC) held form March 25 to 29 in Beijing in China and was awarded with a silver medal.

Her project, Pasture-based sheep farming system: Bioaccumulation of heavy metals and the implications for livestock, lambing rates, growth margins and human health, ensured her the medal.

Other young, South African scientists took part in the International Festival of Engineering Science and Technology in Tunisia (IFEST).

The scientists were selected to take part in these competitions based on scientific merit, relevance and innovation demonstrated in their research projects at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair held in October last year.

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Mologadi Motshele, acting CEO of Eskom, congratulated the team and said: “Their achievements are a powerful testament to how knowledge acquired in the classroom can be deepened through practical application at the Eskom Expo and further elevated on global platforms where our learners compete among the very best in the world.

“The expo continues to serve as a critical platform for nurturing research capabilities, fostering innovation and enabling learners to develop solutions to real-world challenges, while gaining valuable international exposure.

“The success is a strong and encouraging indicator for our country, as we witness the next generation of scientists, researchers and engineers being cultivated in real time.”

Eskom Expo’s next district expos kick off in April countrywide and Grade Four to 12 learners and technical and vocational education and training college students are invited to register their research projects by visiting www.exposcience.co.za