The 2025 Eskom Expo for Young Scientists for Gauteng South was held on 26 July at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus. This exciting event brought together learners from primary and high schools across the region to showcase their Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (STEMI) projects.
The Eskom Expo is South Africa’s biggest science fair for school learners, which commenced in 1980 providing young people with an opportunity to explore real-world problems through science. Regional fairs are held in all nine provinces on an annual basis. The best learners will compete at the International Science Fair (ISF), which will take place in South Africa later this year.
This year saw the participation from over 72 schools at school and district level, with more than 50 advancing to the regional stage, the highest number of schools ever recorded in a single event in the region. A total of 132 learners presented 176 projects, exploring critical topics such as climate change, digital technology, health, robotics and water solutions. Mr Raven Motswebang, the Provincial Coordinator for the Eskom Expo, said the event is focused on discovering South Africa’s brightest young scientific minds. “The learners are not only presenting their ideas, but are also being interviewed by expert judges and scientists holding Master’s and PhDs from various sectors, including Industry,” he explained.
The top five project categories were: Engineering (89); Environmental Studies (21); Social Sciences (15); Energy (14); and Computer Science and Software Development (13). A panel of 110 judges evaluated the projects based on creativity, scientific process and relevance.
Mr Naughty Mbanyane, Gauteng MST Grant Project Manager, officially opened the event, congratulating all learners and encouraging the winners to carry the pride of the Gauteng South Region forward. DBE’s Mr Ngwanatau Mathiba, provided further insight into the structure of the Eskom Expo: “The Eskom Expo started several years ago and continues to grow from strength to strength. It begins at school level, progresses through district and regional levels, and culminates at the national stage. This year, the Eskom Expo International Science Fair will take place from 06 to 10 October 2025 at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, South Africa. We are committed to visiting at least one regional expo in each province, as our aim is to support the Eskom Expo initiative across all nine provinces”.
The following outstanding learners were awarded special recognition: Best Female Scientist: Bontle Mokoena (Suikerbos Primary School, Grade 7) – Vein Finder with Automated Needle Syringe Injector; Best Innovation: Mohammed Abbas (Heidelberg Public School) – Bioelectricity Using Plant Microbal Fuel Cells (PMFCs); Best Energy Project: Raghad Irhuma and Lemariam Kassa (Nizamiye School Mayfair) – AlgaeTech Biogen System; and Best Development Project: Nkateko Moyane (Daleview Secondary School, Grade 10) – Ecoharvest.
As one of the Expo’s key messages states: “Young scientists are the innovators of tomorrow. The Eskom Expo is where their journey begins”.