ceremony of the national finals of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists
29 October 2007
Master of proceedings
Chairperson of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, Professor Ian
Jandrell
Members of the Board of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists
Director of the Electronic Supply Industry (ESI) 2007, Priscilla Moodley and
staff of the Expo
Representatives of Eskom
Representatives from the Office of the Mayor of Tshwane Municipality
Presenters and contributors
Awards Recipients and Young Scientists
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
Anthropologist Margaret Mead claims that we should "Never doubt that a small
group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the
only thing that ever has."
As Patron of the Expo for Young Scientists, and on behalf of government, it
is my honour to address the awards ceremony of the 2007 Eskom Expo for Young
Scientists, which also marks the 27th Anniversary of the launch of the project,
in 1980.
Just yesterday at the Sci-Bono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg, we launched
the national Youth into Science Strategy, our blueprint for promoting a culture
of science and technology in our country, and for increasing the pool of school
learners to follow careers in science, engineering and technology.
In July this year, South Africa hosted the International Science Fair, ESI
2007, in Durban. I have just received letters of thanks and congratulations
from a host of role players, including the overseas organisers, Milset,
attesting to the fact that ESI 2007 was their best event ever.
We can now state without any fear of contradiction that the Expo is
increasingly becoming the best place for young innovators and scientists to
test their new ideas and solutions for the market place. The Expo now attracts
thousands of participants every year from 27 regions within South Africa. This
has accordingly become a premier programme for promoting a culture of problem
solving and innovation among the learners, and public awareness for science,
engineering and technology.
While the numbers by themselves do not signal a revolution for science, we
believe this growth in stature and impact attests to our national drive to
produce more school leavers who are suitably equipped to pursue set careers,
and strengthen our competitiveness in the global market.
The fact that the winners of last year's Eskom Expo went on to scoop three
double first awards, that is First Prize and Best in Category, in New Mexico,
United States of America (USA), in May this year is sufficient proof of the
effectiveness of this programme. It was the first time that a country other
than the US obtained such a result at the Intel International Science and
Engineering Faire.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the young South Africans and
celebrate their achievements. Siyabulela Xuza, who addressed a wide audience
yesterday, developed a new fuel propellant for rockets, while Tanja Kellerman,
the young lady from Citrusdal, developed a substance extracted from indigenous
plants to control ticks. Raeez Lorgat, a schoolboy from Cape Town, used his
skills in computers to develop a tool for a technologically advanced
classroom.
Motivational speaker, Anthony Robbins, claims that: "There is a powerful
driving force inside every human being that once unleashed can make any vision,
dream or desire a reality." I believe the Expo is another process able to
unleash that driving force within individuals. Our three international winners
are examples of this maxim, and I am confident we have more such individuals
here today. We are also pleased to note that the standard of entries keeps
improving every year.
It is an indication that we are beginning to close the gap between the
science learned within formal settings, and that learned in non-formal
settings. This indicates that through a creative and well structured programme,
we are firmly on course in promoting science for non-scientists, and giving
those who attend festivals a look into many different aspects of science,
engineering and technology.
A pride of place in the Youth into Science Strategy we launched yesterday is
occupied by the Support Framework for Science Olympiads and Competitions, such
as this Expo. Programmes within this framework promote co-ordination, synergy
and complementarities among science competitions, and ensure linkages with
other science awareness interventions.
In this regard, government mainly plays an enabling and supporting role,
while the corporate sector is eminently placed to sponsor such events. By their
very nature, science competitions contribute towards achieving the two goals of
our Youth into Science Strategy, namely the promotion of science and technology
literacy; and encouraging more youth to pursue careers in Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics.
May I, in closing, convey our sincere gratitude to Eskom and other partners
for their unwavering determination in promoting science, technology and
innovation among our youth. They are playing a vital role in the development of
a much needed 'culture' of appreciating the value of science in our country.
Eskom and Intel have generously added their support to the event, and we
encourage them to grow their support from strength to strength.
I would like to leave you with these words from Bertolt Brecht, German
playwright and poet: "The aim of science is not to open the door to infinite
wisdom, but to set a limit to infinite error."
I thank you.
Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
29 September 2007
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za)
