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For the love of science

Ordinary people doing extraordinary things to upift community education and create awareness.

Filled with passion to educate, founder of Isibusiso Esihle Science Discovery Centre in Manguzi, Siphesihle Shange Bukhosini, has left her professional life to impart knowledge to her village community.

Born and bred in eSikhaleni and a hydrologist by profession, she completed her studies at the University of Natal and spent many years working in the corporate world and few more lecturing at a tertiary institute.

Toward the end of 2012, Bukhosini and her husband founded Isibusiso Esihle Science Discovery Centre and officially launched in February.

‘Science is everywhere in our lives. Cooking is a science too. The centre is a play place to experiment with science, to create,’ says Bukhosini.

This dynamic wife and husband duo started this community project with the sole intention to educate.

You’re never too old to learn – community elders enjoy the science centre exhibits
You’re never too old to learn – community elders enjoy the science centre exhibits

Not only does the centre offer a place for the community to learn and play at the same time, but it also provides an easily accessible library.

The centre, based in Velabusha Village, is a good 23km away from the municipal library which costs up to R50 per person for a return trip, making it difficult for pupils to access information and complete their assignments.

The centre’s library offers a reading club for Grade 4 and 5 pupils, because encouraging reading is a priority.

The centre also has a career division where a three-day programme for Grade 8 and 9 pupils are offered during the school holidays, educating them about career paths within maths and science.

Environmental awareness plays a big part. Even though the village is in a rural area, it is very rich in fauna and flora.

The centre recently celebrated World Water Day and as this first week of September commemorates Arbour week, the centre will plant one indigenous tree at each school in the village.

‘The children here are mostly exposed to social workers, police officers and teachers and thus assume that these are the only careers available to pursue.

‘Many children come to the centre and are intrigued but hesitant to explore, not because they lack enthusiasm, but because they are not aware of this ‘other world’,’ says Bukhosini.

In the words of Maya Angelou, ‘When you know better, you do better’, and Bukhosini makes this her aim for the small Zululand community of Velabusha.

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