Four young South African scientists have brought home top honours from the World Innovative Science Project Olympiad (WISPO) in Bali, Indonesia, showcasing the country’s growing strength in science and innovation on the international stage.
The students, all previous gold medallists at the Eskom Expo International Science Fair, competed against young scientists from around the world at the prestigious competition held from 10 to 13 December.
Albertus Willem (Wium) van Niekerk, a Grade 10 pupil from Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, achieved exceptional success by winning both a gold medal and a prestigious Grand Award for his research into using lavender essential oil as an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides in citrus production.
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“I am very thankful for the awards I have received at WISPO. It is very gratifying to be recognised on an international stage for the hard work which I have put into my project over the last two years,” Van Niekerk said.
Ismaail (Miles) Hassen, a Grade 11 pupil at Greenside High School in Johannesburg, was awarded a gold medal for his project “Design and Evaluation of Walk Man: A Wearable Assistive Device for Enhanced Navigation in Individuals with Visual Impairment.”
“Winning is always rewarding, but what made the experience truly special was the honour of representing my country,” Hassen reflected.
Two students earned silver medals at the competition. Milla Vorster, a Grade 11 pupil at Curro Durbanville, was recognised for her work on 3D bioprinting techniques for regenerative medicine, whilst Dzunisa Chauke, a Grade 12 pupil at Khanyisa Education Centre in Mopani, received recognition for his project on detecting AI-generated audio to address cybersecurity risks.
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“Winning an award at WISPO makes me feel very proud of myself, especially because it took place on an international stage,” said Chauke, who noted that the cultural exposure in Bali left a lasting impression.
The annual olympiad is organised by the Indonesia Scientific Society (ISS) to showcase innovative research and encourage international collaboration amongst young scientists.
Eskom Expo Executive Director Parthy Chetty praised the students’ achievements: “What an achievement! Huge congratulations to our top four young scientists, who represented South Africa with pride at the WISPO in Bali. Your innovative projects and dedication have made our country proud.”
The delegation travelled under the guidance of Jane Wasonga, Eskom Expo Johannesburg Regional Science Fair Director.
Registration for the Eskom Expo remains open for learners in Grades 4–12 and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students from NC(V) Level 2 to NC(V) Level 4. Students can register their research projects at www.exposcience.co.za.
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