21 July 2006
Three young South Africans who left the country last week for the final
round in the Africa - Japan Essay and Speech Competition (A-JESC) have scooped
three prizes in Japan on 21 July 2006, one first prize and two second prizes
respectively. Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena met these
youngsters this afternoon for a special welcoming and prize giving ceremony
organised for them by his department.
They fought it out in three main categories: the junior high school, senior
high school and the tertiary education category. The competition was open to
all learners in South Africa (SA), Zambia and Japan falling in these categories
under the theme, âMaking science and technology a foundation for partnership
between Africa and Japanâ. The competition was initiated the Department of
Science and Technology in partnership with its office at the South African
embassy in Japan, Canon Inc. and Canon SA and was implemented by the South
African Agency for Science and Technology (SAASTA).
Three winners from each of the participating countries (SA, Zambia and
Japan) went to Japan last week for the final round. South Africa was
represented by Zia Maharaj (junior high school), Jerida Maphoto (senior high
school) and Jasmeer Ramlal (tertiary education level).
Zia Maharaj (13) of the Beaulieu College in Gauteng, South Africa was the
overall winner in the junior high school category with her essay on mutual
co-operation in the creation of a knowledge economy for South Africa. Her
runner-up was 14 year old Nadisa Oda from Shibuya Kyoiku Gauken Junior and High
School in Tyoko.
Jerida Maphoto (15) from the Khaiso Senior Secondary School in Limpopo,
South Africa, walked off with the second prize in the senior high school
category. Akane Kimura (17) of the St Ursula Gakuin High School in Japan took
the first prize. The third prize went to Sikaundi Chapanga (17) of the St
Andrews High School in Ndola, Zambia.
South African student Jasmeer Ramlal of the University of Pretoria in
Gauteng, South Africa, came second in the tertiary education category. The
first prize went to Yoko Kawamura of the Soka University in Saitama, Japan with
her essay âMaking science and technology a foundation for partnership between
Africa and Japan - the possibility of a potato agriculture industryâ. The third
prize went to Ndashe Chibuye of the Northern Technical College in Ndola,
Zambia.
Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena handed computers to the
schools and university of the South African winners. The University of Pretoria
has indicated that it will donate the computer won by Ramlal to Tshegofatsong
LSEN Secondary School in Mamelodi.
Minister Mangena also welcomed the three winners of the Japanese leg of the
competition, who are on a study visit to South Africa. They are Oda Nagisa,
Kimura Akane and Kawamura Yoko.
The Zambian winners are Ndashe Chibuye, Ladislas Hibusu and Sikaundi
Chapanga.
The three South African runners from the first leg are Ravishni Mahadeo (13)
of Fields College in North West, Alexandra McIlraith (15) of Roedean School in
Gauteng, and Marika Wojcik (24 years) of the University of Pretoria. They each
received a prize from Canon SA, represented by Kathryn Whittall.
For more information on the competition, please contact:
Ina Roos, SAASTA
Cell: +27 82 824 3864 or
E-mail: roosi@saasta.ac.za
Kristin Klose, Department of Science and Technology
Cell: 082 902 9503
E-mail: kristin.klose.@dst.gov.za
Vuyani Lingela
Counsellor (Science and Technology)
South African Embassy, Japan
Tel: +81 3 3265 3366
Fax: +81 3 3265 4360
Cell: +81 90 8330 2004
E-mail: Lingele@rsatk.com
Issued by: Junxion Communications on behalf of Department of Science and
Technology
21 July 2006
Source: SAPA
