Women in science issue

1Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za

WOMEN IN SCIENCE

SCIENCESTARS

2 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za



CO

NT

EN

Ts

FEATURES

5 FOREWORD

Minister Lindiwe Zulu

8 Prof Gray

Excellence in Science

18 DST

Engineering

20 NSW

Highlights

24 DSBD

Promoting Business

28 DST

Maths & Science

30 ESKOM EXPO

Young Scientists

32 FALLING WALLS LAB

Bright Minds

34 SCIENCE STARS

Quiz

35 CSIR

Aeronautics Systems Group

CONTACT

Anne Lorenz Head of Programme Falling Walls Lab

Falling Walls Foundation Chausseestraße 8E 10115 Berlin, Germany

Email [email protected]

Phone + 49 30 609 88 39 71

Web www.falling-walls.com

FAlliNgwAllslAb2013

The Falling Walls Lab is an international forum, which aims at building and promoting interdisciplinary connections between young excellent academics, entrepreneurs and professionals from all fields. They get the opportunity to present their research project, business model or initiative with peers and a distinguished jury consisting of experts from academia, research institutions, and business – in 3 minutes each. The Falling Walls Lab is organised by the Falling Walls Foundation and A.T. Kearney, a global management consulting firm, with the support of KWS Saat, a leading plant breeding company.

The Falling Walls Foundation, is a non-profit organisation in Berlin, dedicated to the support of science and the humanities. It is a unique international platform for leaders from the worlds of science, business and politics, the arts and society. Falling Walls fosters discussion on research and innovation and promotes the latest scientific find-ings among a broad audience from all parts of society. It organises among others the “Falling Walls Conference” which takes place each year on 9 November, the day of the fall of the Berlin Wall. At the conference 20 top-class scientists from around the world present their current breakthrough research in 15 minutes answering the question: “Which are the next walls to fall?”

After a successful kick-off at the international Falling Walls Conference in 2011, the Falling Walls Lab as a challenging, fast-paced format for young talents was subsequent ly brought to a number of international cities. This year Qualifying Labs are taking place in São Paulo (Brazil), Moscow (Russia), Johannesburg (South Africa), London (United Kingdom) and Los Angeles (USA). The most intriguing presenters of the Qualifying Labs are travelling to the Falling Walls Lab Finale to Berlin (Germany). At the Berlin Lab, 100 innovators will receive the opportunity to present their work in front of a renowned jury and attend the Falling Walls Conference with the chance to meet the world’s top scientists and high-ranked representatives of science, busi-ness and the innovation industry. The three winners of the Finale Lab in Berlin will be crowned as “Falling Walls Young Innovator of the Year”, are invited to showcase their idea once again on the grand stage of the Falling Walls Conference and are awarded a prize money.

For more information, impressions and a short film on the Falling Walls Lab visit: www.falling-walls.com/lab In cooperation with

AbOuT The FAlliNg wAlls lAb brighT miNds, 3 miNuTes, 1 dAy

CONTENTSCONTENTS


Lindiwe Zulu

theFOREWORD

as they have fewer career opportunities, and get relatively lower paying jobs. Failure to address this state of affairs is the same as actively enhancing and supporting the continued subjugation of women.

The critical importance of this project resides in the fact that it will provide girls with access to the world of work to enable them to take up key and critical careers that are desperately needed by the economy. More critically, the girls are exposed to various career paths and options through job shadowing. They gain the much-needed skills to pursue their professions or establish their own businesses.

As a country, we have a responsibility to make a serious dent on the gender imbalances that we inherited from our ugly past. One way of achieving this is to ensure that our girl children pursue scientific studies. Expanding choices for people and creating equal opportunities are essential ingredients for sustainable human development.

Promoting access to educational opportunities and skills develop-ment for all our children is key to national development. We must make a bold statement that investing in the future of our children is an investment in the future development of our country.

As we collectively seek to build a new equal and prosperous soci-ety, we must consciously put in place mechanisms that strive to empower our young people to become productive citizens. In this regard, I would like to see more and more of our girl children pur-sue fields in Science, Maths, Engineering and Technology where women have historically been under-represented.

Government is determined to change the face of the South African economy where there is a lack of significant representa-tion of women in the scientific fields. The situation is even more difficult for black women, who have to not only deal with gender stereotypes but must also face the consequences of years of racial stereotyping.

We are concerned about the low number of women qualified in the scientific and technological fields. The painful truth is that this trend is not about to reverse itself. Government and its social partners have a responsibility to make the necessary interven-tions. In this regard, government and its partners have imple-mented the Techno-Girl project. Through this initiative, our girl children will no longer see the fields of science and technology as an exclusively male domain. This will contribute positively to the economic development of our country. Women will be able to own and manage businesses that make a difference in the fields that are badly needed by the economy.

The gender analysis and Evaluation of Girls’ Education study con-firms the correctness of our approach. It revealed that girls per-form poorly compared to boys in Maths, Science and Technology. Fewer students especially girls, study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at both secondary and ter-tiary levels. This has major implications later in the girls’ lives, Honourable Minister of Small Business Development

FOREWORD

Empowering young females


The strength of women cannot be understated. Although women have always had many respon-sibilities traditionally compared to man, they still never cease to amaze. Going through the candi-dates for the Women in Science Awards I was not only surprised but also genuinely proud to realise that we have so many women who are making it in the world of science. Among the many candidates and the various impressive profiles I went through, one really stood out to me. This is not to take anything away from the other candidates who were also equally impressive but just something to motivate you, our young readers.

This woman is Ms LungileSitole who is doing her Doctoral studies (PhD) in the Biochemistry Department at the University of Pretoria. Ms Sitole’s research project entails the use of bio-analytical and biophysical tech-niques in the detection and identification of deregulated metabolites in HIV infection. The potential output of this research is the discovery and development of novel markers which could be used as indicators of HIV disease progression treatment and response.Another thing that really stood out to me was Ms Sitole’s past and present achievements. These include getting awarded her BSc in Chemistry (Magna Cum Laude) from Jackson State University, Jackson Mississippi (USA) in 2007. She received the Research Initiative for Scientific Enhancement (RISE) funding for undergraduate research and was awarded a place on both the president’s and dean’s merit list in 2005, 2006 and 2007. In 2007, Ms Sitole was awarded the Louis Stokes Mississippi Alliance for Minority Participation (LSMAMP) Bridge to the Doctorate fellowship in recognition of academic excellence. She then completed her MSc (Cum Laude) in Organic Chemistry from the same institution in 2009. She has published both a review and research article in international peer-reviewed journals. She has also co-authored several articles pub-lished from the research done during her MSc studies. This is a true example of a Science Star and she should be a motivation to all our aspiring female scientists out there. Through her achievements and history we can all see that it can be done, it is possible! It is not about your gender or even age but rather about your motivation and your will to succeed. That is what will drive you and push you towards the top. Read our latest issue and enjoy learning more about the wonderful women who are making waves in the South African science sector. Read about the Women in Science awards and some of the biggest female names in Science in South Africa. Always remember; there is no bigger motivation in life than the will to succeed.

THE WILL TO SUCCEED

ED’S NOTE

Evans Nyasha Manyonga

Managing Editor • Evans [email protected]

Graphic Designer • Cinzia-Joey Swartz

Project Manager • Renata Williams

Contributing Writers • Unathi Kondile • Donovan Goliath • Oswald Kucherera

Chairman • Madambi Rambuda

Sales Executive • Tinyiko [email protected]

Ambassador • Azwindinni Muronga

Copyright 2014 Roswika Media. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or any means, electronically or mechanically, without prior permission.

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LetteR FROMTHE EDITOR team

Science Stars

Managing Editor

From building schools to supporting black entrepreneurs, from making university study possible for disadvantaged students to providing work experience for young work seekers, Shanduka Foundation strives to develop South Africa’s human potential. Over the last decade, Shanduka Foundation has created opportunities for educational development, career growth and entrepreneurial advancement.

• Adopt-a-School Foundation mobilises companies and individuals to adopt disadvantaged schools with the aim of improving the academic, infrastructural, social and security environment in schools.

• Shanduka Black Umbrellas nurtures qualifying 100% black-owned businesses by providing meaningful access to markets, networks and finance through its small enterprise incubators and online enterprise and supplier development portal.

• The Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust provides bursaries to disadvantaged students and organises vacation work in companies in the Shanduka Group.

• The Shanduka internship programme provides experiential training for selected learners and job seekers within Shanduka Group and across its partner network.

Thanks to the ongoing support of many partners in business, government and civil society, Shanduka Foundation is making a significant impact in the lives of young South Africans.

To find out more about the work of the foundation and its programmes, visit

www.shanduka.co.za/shanduka-foundation

FROM CLASSROOM TO BOARDROOM

A DECADE OF EMPOWERMENT


Excellence in science

PROF GRAY

FROM SCIENTIST TO BUSINESS EXECUTIVE

Let’s face it, when we think “scientist” we think lab coat, gray trousers and spec-

tacles. Rarely do we ever think about a pencil skirt, stilettos and a weave for a scientist. Well, that is changing fast as the likes of Professor Glenda Gray dress up for science.

“People say pretty girls cannot

be scientists! We must change these stereotypes…” comments Glenda whom we see as an ideal role model for the young female scientist of the future.

The Science Stars team is at the Medical Research Council’s offic-es in Parow, Cape Town. Sitting face to face with the elegantly styled president of the MRC. She

smiles, pauses and takes us back to her humble beginnings.

Born in 1962, Glenda was raised in Boksburg on the East Rand where you will mostly find the poorer people of Gauteng. They were six kids in her family and her father passed away whilst she was in her teens – this meant that their mother had to raise them alone, often borrowing money or buying food on credit at the shops just to ensure her children didn’t sleep on empty stomachs. “My mother used to tell me that the only way to get out of the ghetto was by having a good education. She taught all my siblings that we needed a good education,” she reminisces.

At times they would even have to get food from soup kitchens. This was in the 1970s, at the height of apartheid. To think that there were even poor, white people in South Africa at that time goes to show how poverty knows no race. Ultimately we are all equal and should never allow our personal circumstances or race to get in the way of our dreams.

It also helps when your parents

Prof. Glenda Gray


PROF GRAY

encourage you to study, study and study. Coming from the poor side she would be the only child who would get academic prizes from her school. Everyone would be excited because a prize for her was a prize for all in the poor community.

As we chat the message becomes very clear that if you are deter-mined to succeed at school, you can overcome any obstacles as a learner. Yes, support from the teacher is also important. For example, when Glenda was in Grade 10 she wrote a Physics test and got 60% and she thought it was not bad but her teacher told her she could do better than a 60% and this sure did motivate her to keep pushing for better. “Sometimes poor kids just want someone to believe in them. The combination of being smart and having someone who believes in you can do wonders,” adds Glenda.

Today Glenda, or Professor Glenda Gray as she is profession-ally known, now holds an MBBCH, FCPaeds (SA),DSc (honoriscausa) and is an NRF A-rated scientist. By profession she is a paediatri-cian; which means that she first had to study to become a medi-cal doctor. This took seven years. Thereafter she trained as a doc-

tor for two years before going on to specialise to be a paediatri-cian.

That’s a whopping 13 years of studying! And you must be thinking, “that must have been expensive!” but alas, coming from a poor background she quali-fied for a study loan which she eventually paid off when she was in her 30s. There are all sorts of study loans such as NSFAS, Eduloan and most banks offer study loans. The trick with study loans is to actually take them seriously. Study, pass well and graduate. Some of these loans even become bursaries.Speaking of which, Glenda’s MRC

also offers quite a number of bursaries, scholarships and intern-ships all geared towards helping those who are interested in being young medical scientists. Visit their website – www.mrc.ac.za - and hit “Funding” then select “grants and scholarships” to view lists of what they have and what you need to qualify. They spend around R40-million on their training programmes, so you most likely stand a chance if you are serious about it.

Having read this article you now know a bit more about the MRC’s president, Professor Glenda Gray. Here are some other MRC titbits that we asked her:


PROF GRAY

So Glenda, let’s start from the beginning, what is the MRC?

Well, the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) is a council that was established in 1969 with the aim to promote the improvement of the health and the quality of life of the pop-ulation of our country through research, development and tech-nology transfer. Some of our research projects include tuber-culosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, cardio-vascular and non-communicable diseases, gender and health, and alcohol among other projects.

You’re fairly new to your job as the President of SAMRC, tell us a bit more about your job? What is it like?

I have the best job in the coun-try because the mission of MRC is to fund and conduct research that changes the lives of South Africans! Imagine having a job that makes that happen. It is my job to make sure that the medical research we fund or our research directly impacts South Africans and saves lives.

Is South Africa ready to imple-ment the kind of research you are working on at MRC?

The Minister of health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has focused on get-ting enough clinics and hospital per region, per urban and rural area. We have great clinical facilities in the right places but

at this moment in time we have a shortage of doctors and nurses. We have to work hard to attract people to these professions and train them properly so that they can implement the researches findings.

Tell us about your move from being a scientist to now being a business executive?

I am making a different kind of contribution; for the first part of my life I spent my research career developing my own research, I focused on excellence in science and focused on being a greater researcher and now in my second part of life I am trying to be significant. I want to make a significant contribution to soci-ety, I want to make a significant impact by training new scientists and making sure that the tax man’s money we get, we spend it well.

Do some research on what an MBBCH stands for? Where can one study towards it?

What is an FCPaeds qualifica-tion? What is Paediatrics? And how long does it take to study? Think of some benefits for study-ing this.

Also dig around the internet for what NRF stands for and what it means to be an A-rated NRF Scientist means.Happy searching.

I know how it is like to come from a poor back-ground. I know what it is like to come from a background where there is alcohol abuse and violence. But today I am a doctor and the president of MRC

• In 2002, she was awarded the Nelson Mandela Health and Human Rights Award for pioneer-ing work done in the field of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV-1. • In 2013 she received the coun-try’s highest honour, the Order of Mapungubwe, granted by the president of SA for achievements in the international area which have served South Africa’s inter-est.

She is a member of the Academy of Science in South Africa, and chairs their standing committee on health. She is a member of the Institute of Medicine, of the National Academies, and serves on their Global Health Board.

Empowering women for roads.

SANRAL is committed to creating a path of growth and development for women in engineering and in business to ensure long-term sustainability of critical skills in our economy and our country. We salute all those female trailblazers and achievers who dared to join us on the road less travelled.

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DST

CELEBRATING OUR CHAMPIONSTop female scientists honoured

The top South African women scien-

tists were honoured at the Women

in Science Awards (WISA) ceremony

in Johannesburg on the 15th of August.

The Department of Science and

Technology (DST) hosts these awards

annually to reward outstanding female

scientists and researchers and to encour-

age younger women to follow in their

footsteps.

The two winners in the Distinguished

Woman Scientist (Natural Sciences and

Engineering) category were Prof. Priscilla

Baker of the University of the Western

Cape and Prof. Marina Rautenbach of

Stellenbosch University.

Prof. Baker specialises in the application

of frequency-modulated electrochemical

techniques that can be applied in water

analysis and treatment, and to detect the

presence of toxic chemicals produced by

fungi in fish.

Prof. Rautenbach, a biochemist, has been

working on natural antimicrobial peptides,

which can be used in nurseries, viticulture,

organic farming, animal health care and

feeds, aquaculture, food preservation, air

and water filtration, the paper industry,

dental care and medicine.

In the Humanities and Social Sciences

category, the Distinguished Women

Scientists were Professors Leila Patel

and Marie Poggelpoel, both from the

University of Johannesburg. Prof. Patel and

her colleagues at the Centre for Social

Development in Africa carry out cutting-

edge research into poverty and vulner-

ability, civic engagement, and the relations

between various role players in social

development.

Prof. Poggenpoel is the coordinator of the

Master’s in Psychiatric Nursing programme,

and has done important work into aggres-

sion in South African society.

The winners in the Distinguished Young

Woman Scientist category were Dr Puleng

Segalo, a senior lecturer at Unisa, and Dr

Nosipho Moloko, a researcher and academic

at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Dr Segalo’s interrogation of transcripts

of testimonies made to the Truth and

Reconciliation Commission by female sur-

vivors of apartheid has exposed how much

structural violence transforms everyday

constructs, including mobility and freedom.

Dr Moloko’s research has been focused on

finding various synthetic methods for the

production of semiconductor nanocrystals.

She and her colleagues are looking into the

application of these materials in electronic

devices such as photovoltaics and gas sen-

sors, and as labelling materials in biological

applications.

TATA Africa sponsored several master’s

and doctoral fellowships, as did the DST.

One of the recipients was Caroline Pule,

whose research is aimed at preventing the

spread of drug-resistant TB. Another was

Tlhompho Gaoshebe, who is studying indig-

enous food security strategies for climate

change adaptation in the rural areas of the

North West.

Speaking at the awards ceremony, the

Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi

Pandor, encouraged more women to partici-

pate in science. She said, “The WISA finalists

and winners will be invited to participate

in science awareness campaigns led by the

Department to serve as role models for

other women, particularly young girls.”


FEATURETATA

TATA SCHOLARSHIPSEmpowering our future scientists

In this day and age empowering women

is not only a priority but also a duty.

Women have proven that they can be

equally as good as and even better than

man at different academic disciplines.

TATA recognised this and Science Stars got

to meet several of the women who have

scholarships from TATA.

Ms Grace Ngubeni (Masters)Ms Grace Nomthandazo Ngubeni is cur-

rently doing her first year master’s degree

in physical chemistry at Rhodes University.

Her research project is on the synthesis

and characterisation of novel binuclear

metallophthalocyanine molecules for

electrocatalysis. These compounds will be

used to fabricate an electrochemical sen-

sor for the detection of chlorophenols (i.e.

pollutants) and to test if these compounds

can be used as photosensitizers in organic

photovoltaic cells. Through this research

project Ms Nomthandazo Ngubeni and her

colleagues aim to solve some of the envi-

ronmental challenges through eliminating

toxins in industry and agriculture and to

help produce energy in a less-invasive/

harmful manner to the environment.

Ms Ngubeni’s research has already been

presented at the South African Chemical

Institute (SACI) conference held at Walter

Sisulu University (WSU) in 2013 and

the Eighth International Conference on

Porphyrins and Phthalocyanines (ICPP-8)

held in Istanbul, Turkey, June 22-27, 2014.

Ms Ngubeni and her research team are

currently writing a scientific paper on her

work to be submitted to an international

journal.

Ms Ngubeni has received many accolades

and awards during higher education

life. In 2010, she received the Golden

Key Honours Society award. In 2011, she

received an award for being the most

exceptional student mentor in the sci-

ence faculty recognised by the Trojan

Academic Initiative. In 2013, Ms Ngubeni

received funding for her honours degree

studies from the national research foun-

dation (NRF) grant holders bursary and

Professional Provident Society (PPS) and

thus became a member of PPS.

Ms Anna Hlabe (Masters)Ms Anna Hlabe is currently doing a Master’s

degree in the School of Social Sciences

at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her

research work interrogates community

perceptions, especially women, towards the

use of traditional and conventional medi-

cine in Coligny, North-West Province. The

Coligny community is a predominantly rural

community, which due to limited modern

health and medical care services, is heav-

ily dependent on traditional medicine and

healing systems. The strengths and limita-

tions of traditional medical and health care

systems need to be empirically investigated

to inform policy and be improved, through

interface with other health and medical

care systems.Grace Ngubeni

Anna Hlabe


TATA

Ms Faatimah Mansoor (Masters)Ms Faatimah Mansoor is currently doing

her master’s degree in plant sciences at

the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).

Her MSc project is on the in vitro propa-

gation and storage of avocado (Persea

Americana) genetic material. The most

common ex situ method of conserving

plant species is through seed storage in

seed banks. Avocado is a sub-tropical fruit

species, producing short-lived seeds that

are sensitive to both cold and to drying –

so called recalcitrant seeds. Consequently

Avocado seeds cannot be stored in con-

ventional seed banks which are main-

tained at low temperatures and relative

humidity’s. For the long term conservation

of avocado, alternative methods to seed

storage need to be considered to ensure

that humans can still obtain benefit from

this species in the future. Ms Mansoor’s

project is focused on developing a proto-

col for the long term storage of in vitro

avocado genetic material through the

process of cryopreservation which is the

storage of biological materials at sub-zero

temperatures.

Ms Mansoor has had many accolades

and achievements throughout her

higher education life. These include; the

Rebecca Lurie Brown Award (2012, 2013),

the Isaac Greenberg Award (2012), Wits

Postgraduate Merit Award (2013, 2014)

and NRF Scarce skills Masters Scholarship

(2014). Ms Mansoor is currently a member

of the Golden Key since 2014; her aspira-

tion is to be an academic.

Ms Maletsabisa Tšabi Molapo (PhD)Ms Maletsabisa Molapo is a PhD candidate

at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Her

research is on information and communi-

cation technology (ICT) for Development.

In 2011, Ms Molapo was awarded the

Mandela Rhodes scholarship to read for a

Master’s degree. She graduated with her

Master’s degree in Computer Science in

June 2013, with the degree conferred with

Distinction. While at UCT for her MSc, she

received the Google Anita Borg Memorial

scholarship in recognition of her demon-

strated leadership, academic excellence,

and passion for Computer Science.

Ms Molapo is passionate about explor-

ing the ways in which ICTs can be used

to empower communities, especially

women and youth. To this end, she led

the team that founded ‘Her Chance to

Be Foundation’, a non-profit organisation

that is committed to improving the lives

of women and girl children in Lesotho,

focusing on education, health, livelihood

and access to technology. She has also co-

founded “Women in Technology Lesotho,”

a community of women in computing in

Lesotho. Ms Molapo’s commitment to

improving the lives of women and girl

children has led to her recognitions as the

Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in

Africa Fellowship, the Margaret McNamara

Memorial Fund Grant, and the Vital Voices

Fellowship for global women’s leadership.Faatimah Mansoor at work

Maletsabisa Tšabi Molapo


Ms Fortunate Nonhlanhla Yende-Zuma (PhD)Ms Nonhlanhla Yende-Zuma is currently

a first year PhD student in statistics with

a focus on biostatistics at the University

of KwaZulu-Natal. Ms Yende-Zuma’s

research focuses on the statistical meth-

ods of estimating the causal effect of

treatment in randomized controlled trials

(RCTs) using an instrumental variable (IV).

This topic is among the prime research

areas of current interest in biostatis-

tics because it draws conclusions about

causal effect of TB and HIV treatment as

opposed to inference about association.

Tuberculosis is the most common oppor-

tunistic disease and the most common

cause of death in patients with HIV infec-

tion in developing countries. The aim of

Ms Yende-Zuma’s research is to determine

the effect of integrated TB treatment and

anti-retroviralon patients co-infected with

TB and HIV using causal inference meth-

odology for survival analysis.

Ms Yende-Zuma also provides assistance

and statistical guidance to numerous doc-

toral and post-doctoral fellows at CAPRISA

who are working on studies involving HIV

and TB. She was also one of the team

members for the CAPRISA oo4 tenofovir

gel trial and performed statistical analysis

to help fellow researchers to publish their

findings. Ms Yende-Zuma is a member of

South African Statistical Association since

2013.

Ms Beverly Mmakatane (PhD)Ms Beverly Mmakatane is currently regis-

tered for a Doctorate Technology degree

in Agriculture at Tshwane University of

Technology. The title of her thesis is

“Effect of nitrogen application on post-

harvest quality of fresh-cuts lettuce”.

Lettuce is among the well-known leafy

vegetable that accumulates nitrate in high

quantities which pose a threat in human

health. Therefore, Ms Mmakatane research

focuses on the effect of nitrogen fertili-

sation on food safety issues, nutritional

and overall quality linked to browning

related enzymes in selected fresh-cuts

lettuce (cultivars) during postharvest stor-

age. Furthermore, minimising postharvest

losses in perishable products like lettuce

forms an important part of the sustain-

able agricultural development efforts to

increase food availability. Ms Makatane has

been trained in profiling of aroma volatile

compounds from fresh produce using Gas

Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-

MS).

In 2012, Ms Mmakatane was selected as

a Postgraduate leader for Postgraduate

Research programme and appointed as the

laboratory manager to train new postgradu-

ate students on good laboratory practices

and safety issues.

Beverly has published two peer reviewed

articles, in Journal of the Science of Food

and Agriculture and Journal of Food Quality.

She has presented her work at two interna-

tional conferences. She also actively partici-

pated in seminars and workshops on topics

that were relevant to her own research

activities.

TATA

Fortunate Nonlandla Yende-Zuma

Beverly Mmakatane

111919 ARC Roswika Media.indd 1 2014/08/29 9:59 AM


PUZZLE

WOMEN FACEBOOK

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TWITTER INTERNET

CPUT MATHS

STUDY PHYSICS

SCIENTIST TATA

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TECHNOLOGY

WORD SEARCH

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WORD SEARCH

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Find the listed words in the puzzle block, draw a ring around each word.

ACROSS:1. Another word for a tidal wave?

2. True/false? Yoghurt is produced by bacte-

rial fermentation of milk?

3. The fear of what animal is known as

‘arachnophobia’?

4. What famous scientist was awarded the

1921 Nobel prize in Physics of his work on

theoretical physics?

5. The Molten rock that comes from a vol-

cano after it has erupted is known as what?

6. What is the name of the part of the

human skeleton which protects our brain?

7. What is the name of the element with the

chemical symbol ‘He’?

8. How many bones do sharks have in their

body?DOWN:1. True/false? DNA is the shortened form of the term ‘Deoxyribonucleic

acid’.?

2. What is the name of the closest star to the earth?

3. The highest mountain on the earth is?

4. What is the name of the long appendage that hangs from an elephants

face?

5. Pure water has pH level of around?

6. What is the 7th element on the periodic table of the elements?

2

1

3

4

4

5

6 6

7

8

5


ENGINEERING

ENGINEERING – ANYONE.. Dispelling the grey, geeky grease-monkey

engineering myth

Over 250 girls from schools around

Johannesburg donned pink

hard hats at the University of

Johannesburg (UJ) today, getting the feel

of what it is like to be an engineer.

This was part of the four-day United

Nations Educational, Scientific and

Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Africa

Engineering Week, that ended at UJ’s

Doornfontein Campus on 4 September. The

week was held to highlight the impor-

tance of engineering in society and to

expose young people to the industry.

Grade 10 and 11 learners were addressed

by HemaVallabh, who has an MSc in

Chemical Engineering and is Director of

GirlEng (a subdivision of SAWomEng),

which encourages girls with potential to

pursue careers in engineering. She told

them that women were the engineers of

the future and that the industry needed

women like them to dispel the myth

that the field was about brute physical

strength or masculinity.

WomEng is a global organisation aimed at

attracting, developing and nurturing the

next generation of female engineering

leaders.

Ms Vallabh said that the engineering pro-

fession was all too often perceived as a

career for grey, geeky, grease-monkeys in a

hard hats and overalls.

Passionate about imparting industry

knowledge to young people in South

Africa, she told the learners they needed

to understand who they were and what

they were passionate about before making

career decisions.

“Not all of you here may go on to pursue

a career in engineering,” said Ms Vallabh.

“But at least if you choose not to you will

be making an informed decision and not

one based on misperceptions about the

industry.”

The girls were given glitter, glue, marking

pens and shiny paper stars to decorate their

pink hard hats and express their values

and passion – emphasising and celebrating

their individuality.

“You all walked in here looking the same,

but you’re walking out unique,” observed Ms

Vallabh. “So go out there and make your

brand count. Pay it forward and make a dif-

ference.”

Ms Vallabh thinks it is the industry’s

responsibility to develop young women in

the engineering space.


ENGINEERING

“I really believe that women are set to be

the engineers of the future, but in order to

feed the pipeline from grassroots level, we

need to start creating awareness of the

opportunities that exist in the field and on

the continent. Together, we can then make

the impact the country and the continent,

so desperately need.”

A visibly excited Nonhlanhla Pholofolo, a

grade 11 learner from Aurora High School

in Zola, Soweto, said women should value

themselves and work hard to prove that

the world belonged to women too.

“This event has made me change my

mind about studying medicine. I now

want to study mining engineering and

will therefore study harder to get over

50% in my maths and science exams,” said

Nonhlanhla.

Female engineers from companies such

as Group Five, Bosch and Mercedes Benz

shared their experience with engineering

students and undergraduates, all saying

there was an exciting window of oppor-

tunity for female engineers to thrive in

South Africa.

Africa Engineering Week is collaboration

between the Department of Science and

Technology, UNESCO and the Engineering

Council of South Africa.

The National Science Week (NSW) is one of m

any projects implemented by the

Department of Science and Technology, th

e objective of th

e event is to reach out to

the

public to cre

ate awareness of Science & Technology.

The NSW is an annual ce

lebration in which various stakeholders c

onduct science-based

activitie

s to get th

e public to engage in and also to educate the youth on sci

ence and

technology fields of st

udy.

These are some pictures fr

om the 2014 edition.

“Today’s Science,

Tomorrows W

orld”

Highlights Natio

nal Science W

eek

NSW

NSW

The National Science Week (NSW) is one of m

any projects implemented by the

Department of Science and Technology, th

e objective of th

e event is to reach out to

the

public to cre

ate awareness of Science & Technology.

The NSW is an annual ce

lebration in which various stakeholders c

onduct science-based

activitie

s to get th

e public to engage in and also to educate the youth on sci

ence and

technology fields of st

udy.

These are some pictures fr

om the 2014 edition.

www.maties.com

Are you creative and eager to explore? So is Stellenbosch University.

Do you see the world as your classroom and your future as yours to shape?

Stellenbosch University does. Are you driven to make a difference?

Then Stellenbosch is the place for you.

Bran

ding |

www

.gstud

io.co

.zaYOU UNLIMITED

StellenboschUniversity.What setsus apart?

SCIENCE NEWS

SA and UK to announced a multi-million rand fund for science and technology on the 9th of September 2014.

THE SASOL Solar Challenge is set to take place from the 27th of September to the 4th of October, with the race starting in Pretoria and finishing in Cape Town.

South Africa was ranked 144th out of 144 countries when looking at the quality of Mathematics and Science education. A new rare species of Fynbos has been discovered near Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape.

A lab sited under 1.4km of rock has detected particles from the Sun that help to measure activity at the very heart of our star.Nanotechnology has blossomed into a R200 billion business, with a huge presence in manufacturing.

A South African student

DivashenGovender from KZN has

been shortlisted on the Mars One

Project. The project aims to estab-

lish a human settlement on the

fourth planet from the Sun, Mars, by

2025. No human has ever set foot on

the Red Planet.

European airplane company Airbus has signed an agreement with the National Aerospace Centre and Hydrogen South Africa to further develop a new hydrogen fuel cell to slash carbon dioxide emissions that are known to affect the Ozone layer.

The South African Department of Health have selected 11 hospitals to deal with the Ebola virus. These hos-pitals are aligned to tertiary institu-tions across the country.

The technology company Apple Inc. has struck agreements with credit card companies to make the next iPhone capable of making payments at retail outlets. So the new phone will now also act as a wallet.


DSBD

DEPARTMENT OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Promoting the future and empowering a nation

The South African government

recently established the Ministry

for Small Business Development.

Through this intervention government is

determined to unlock economic oppor-

tunities and achieve inclusive economic

growth and sustainable employment,

particularly for women, youth and people

with disabilities.

The department is expected to make

urgent and decisive interventions to

grow the economy. The core challenge of

defeating the triple challenges of poverty,

unemployment and inequality requires

radical and bold steps.

Lindiwe Zulu was appointed as Minister

of this new impressive department. “In

the past years, much has been done by

the Department of Trade and Industry

(DTI) and Department of Economic

Development respectively to address

SMMEs and Cooperatives. However, and

due to the ANC’s recognition of the impor-

tance of this sector, as well as listening to

the calls by SMMEs and Cooperatives for a

stand-alone Department, the ANC-led gov-

ernment decided to create a Department

to give undivided attention, with its own

budget and structures to advance the

interests of SMMEs and Cooperatives,” she

explained. The department of Small Business Development will focus on:• Active participation of SMMEs and

Co-ops in the priority sectors as identi-

fied in the National Development Plan,

Industrial Policy Action Plan and New

Growth Path as well as the priority areas

for public procurement;

• Implementation of the entrepreneur-

ship programme through Centres for

Entrepreneurship in all 9 Provinces;

• SEDA Technology Programme in the 9

provinces;

• Incubation Support Programme;

• Increased and expanded demand for

goods and services produced by Small

Businesses and Cooperatives;

• Implementation of programmes to

enhance secondary cooperatives for inclu-

sion into value chains;

• Implementation of National Informal

Business Up-liftment Support;

• Collaboration with the DTI on imple-

mentation of Export Villages;

• Support for township economies jointly

with Economic Development.

Migrating functions, Programmes and Projects which will include:• Cooperatives Strategy;

• Gender and Women Empowerment

Programmes;

• Incubation Support Programme;

• Support for Township business;

• Enterprise Development Programme;

• Centres for Entrepreneurship;

• Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA);

• SEDA; and

• Financial incentives within the DTI

that have supported SMMEs as well as

Cooperatives.

The programmes considered by the DTI during the previous financial year:•Through the Incubation Support

Programme, the DTI has to date approved

support to 39 incubations amounting

to R590 million focusing on agriculture,


DSBD

services and the manufacturing sec-

tor. In addition the Small Enterprise

Development Agency (SEDA) Technology

Programme has created 291 new Small

and Medium Enterprises (SME) entrants,

supported 1227 existing SMMEs and cre-

ated 1258 employment opportunities.

• Centres for Entrepreneurship, the King

Hintsa FET College in Eastern Cape

focusing on agro processing as well as

Ekurhuleni West College in Gauteng focus-

ing on welding and waste management.

In the current financial year we envisage

establishment of two additional institu-

tions to upscale our efforts on entrepre-

neurship.

• 28 projects were approved through

the Support Programme for Industrial

Innovation (SPII) amounting to R76 mil-

lion with beneficiaries from Gauteng,

Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Areas

of focus include the green economy, ICT,

energy, manufacturing as well as manu-

facturing.

• Through the DTI, the review and amend-

ment of the Cooperatives Act and National

Cooperatives Strategy has been completed

and these will allow for the establishment

of new institutional arrangements such as

the Cooperatives Development Agency and

Cooperatives Tribunal. In addition a total

of 243 projects amounting to R62 million

were funded through the Cooperatives

Incentive Scheme during the previous

financial year, with 1897 beneficiaries of

which 990 were female, 253 youth, 25

with disabilities and 629 as male benefi-

ciaries.

• The new Small Business Development

(SBD) department will continue collabo-

rating with Provincial entities to advance

the Cabinet Decision of 2007 which calls

for 85 % procurement of ten specified

products and services (set asides). Within

this context I would like to commend

KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and most

recently Free State on their efforts to

advance the initiatives of the cooperatives

movement in South Africa.

• Furthermore the DTI has approved the

establishment of the Secondary Marketing

Cooperatives as well as an incentive

amounting to R10 million per coopera-

tive, focusing on enhanced value-add in

respect of goods and services, use of tech-

nology as well as improved logistics and

infrastructure.

• In addressing measures for a more con-

ducive environment, the DTI has recently

launched the National Informal Business

Up-liftment Support which will enhance

enterprise development support, and

coordinate inter-governmental and stake-

holder relations for broader participation

of South Africa’s informal sector in the

economy. In addition to this the imple-

mentation of the Integrated Small Medium

Micro Enterprise and Cooperatives

Development will allow for harmonisa-

tion and co - locating opportunities in the

informal sector.

• The Red Tape Reduction Measures for

Municipalities were launched and rolled

out in all 9 Provinces. These will allow for

reducing red tape at local government and

also serve as a means for local business

environment monitoring mechanism.

•During the course of the previous

financial year the DTI approved a Youth

Enterprise Development Strategy aimed

at increasing the contribution of youth

owned enterprises to South Africa’s GDP.

The Youth Strategy envisages direct sup-

port schemes for young entrepreneurs

with an objective of creating and man-

aging sustainable and efficient business

capable of providing decent permanent

jobs. In this regard my department will take

the lead in the implementation of these

programmes in collaboration with other

departments and this will serve as direct

response to South Africa’s National Youth

Policy.

The department will also set up a centre

to create a conducive, legal and regulatory

environment including support for infra-

structure and mechanisms to assist SMMEs

and Cooperatives to grow sustainably.

This centre will also scale up support and

expand the number and viability of the sec-

tor to achieve the development vision.

The department also aims to provide

extensive support to small business and

cooperatives, increase support through con-

solidated public agencies, enterprise coach-

ing, mentorship, incubation and intensive

support programmes.

Minister Zulu added, “We will build on

the commitment in the social accords to

bring black owned small business and

cooperatives into the supply chain of large

companies and the public sector. We will

also mobilize the private sector and state

owned enterprises to support SMMEs and

Cooperatives”.

The Minister also noted that the National

Development Plan (NDP) envisages a treble

sized economy by 2030 with a target of 11

million job opportunities and SMMEs and

Cooperatives can make a meaningful contri-

bution to that objective. “We believe SMMEs

and Cooperatives are a critical means to

empower our people, a mechanism to draw

new entrants into the economy, strengthen

inclusive growth, build the social economy,

encourage solidarity and create large num-

bers of jobs,” she said.

The operation of this ministry is a breath

of fresh air and there is no doubt that the

added value it will bring to the nation will

soon be evident through strong tangible

results.


SCIENCE STARSBUILDING LEGENDS

Science Stars is supported by:• The Department of Science and Technology • CSIR• University of Stellenbosch• UCT• SANRAL•• Shanduka Foundation • Old mutual • NSFAS• UJ• Engen• Scifest Africa• Shanduka black umbrellas•• SAASTA• TCTA

Science Stars is distributed to all 9South African provinces by ELTINSEF.


/sciencestars.faceb.co.za@ScienceStars2


IT IS ALL WITHIN REACH

You will make it and make a mark

So what’s holding you from taking up

a career in science and maths? Is it

insufficient information or are you

one of those young girls who still believe

in the myth that sciences and maths are

difficult subjects? Do you have a strong

passion for science and maths but think

you should drop out because there are no

career prospects for women? Or are you

one of those still living in the old world

in which men dominate in science and

maths? Have you ever taken your time and

thought through it?

Cast your eyes around and see women

shining in science and maths, com-

ing top in their classes, contesting and

winning convincingly in a competitive

world. Women like Dr Hassina Mouri, an

Algerian woman, a Professor of Geology

at the University of Johannesburg. Then

there is my promising friend, Khuselwa

Sotshangane studying food science at

CPUT, consuming big scientific words

which I cannot even pronounce myself

and would risk biting my tongue on an

attempt to read them aloud. She is a

young woman I am proud of, who against

all odds, regardless of being born in

Kuyasa in Khayelitsha, the underbelly of

poverty is making it happen in science

and maths. A living testimony that you can

pass the tough tests of life and taste suc-

cess in the end.

By studying science and maths you open

up opportunities for yourself. The window

of entrepreneurship is wide open with

possibilities of owning your own enter-

prise and enjoying all the freedoms that

come with being an entrepreneur.

What about the prospect of holding an

important post in an important organiza-

tion, making important decisions, decisions

that move and oil the wheels of the orga-

nization? The possibility of conducting

exciting experiments leading to new dis-

coveries. And who knows, you might find

yourself being part of the group that will

finally find the cure for some of the dead-

liest diseases like Cancer or Ebola which

are decimating the world’s population.

Did you know that it is women who

made some of the most important break-

throughs such as Marie Curie who worked

on radioactivity and development of X-rays

and went on to become the first women to

win the Nobel Peace Prize? So remove the

concrete ceiling you have put above your

head or those blinds over your eyes and

spread your wings in the science world. Just

stay disciplined, focused and determined

and you will make it and make a mark.

FEATURESTUDY SCIENCE

SCIENCE STARSBUILDING LEGENDS

Science Stars is supported by:• The Department of Science and Technology • CSIR• University of Stellenbosch• UCT• SANRAL•• Shanduka Foundation • Old mutual • NSFAS• UJ• Engen• Scifest Africa• Shanduka black umbrellas•• SAASTA• TCTA

Science Stars is distributed to all 9South African provinces by ELTINSEF.


/sciencestars.faceb.co.za@ScienceStars2


DSTMaths and science can

improve the countries future

DST

The Department of Science and

Technology’s Dr Wendy Ngoma,

Deputy Director-General:

Institutional Planning and Support, has

called on learners to stay away from drugs

and focus more on studying maths, science

and technology to improve their country’s

future.

Dr Ngoma was speaking to over 200

learners, teachers and parents at the

ArcelorMittal Science Centre in Sebokeng

on 8 August as part of Public Service

Week, which is intended, among other

things, to provide a platform for depart-

ments to share information and showcase

their achievements.

This year Public Service Week coincided

with the Department’s annual National

Science Week, which is aimed at attract-

ing more young people into the world of

science.

Ngoma said the only way to move South

Africa out of poverty is to have more

young people studying maths, science and

technology.

“Government has set a target of 100 000

PhDs by 2030 to improve research and

innovation capacity. In order to reach this

target we need to train 6 000 PhDs per

annum and we need you to achieve that,”

she told the learners.

“I believe that if we are to create a better

country for all, we have to invest in the

future of our young people and do our

outmost to ensure that as many of them as

possible realise their dreams,” said Ngoma.

Ngoma congratulated the ArcelorMittal

Science Centre on the wonderful work they

were doing with learners and schools in

the area, commending their efforts and

encouraging them to maintain their high

standards.

The ArcelorMittal Science Centre was estab-

lished in 2006 to promote understanding of


FEATUREDST

mathematics, science and engineering. It is

equipped with learning facilities for teach-

ers, learners and out-of-school youth in

areas in which the company operates.

So far, the science centre has empowered

over 2 000 grade 12 mathematics and

science learners through structured pro-

grammes, including bursaries and on-the-

job training at ArcelorMittal.

Mr MphoMakwana, Chair of the

ArcelorMittal South Africa Board, encour-

aged learners to use the centre to acquire

more scientific knowledge and improve

their understanding of maths and science.

Sedibeng West District Director of

Education, Mr Victor Thetha, said the cen-

tre provided hope and opportunities to

number of learners whose disadvantaged

circumstances had made success seem

almost impossible. He said that the dis-

trict had received a national award for its

improved mathematics results, which he

believed was a result of the district’s part-

nership with the centre.

A recent graduate in chemical engineering,

Shirley Moloi, who is currently working for

ArcelorMittal, told the learners there were

no shortcuts in the field, but that all they

needed was a passion for success. She

had been brought up by a single parent,

and it had therefore not been easy for her

to complete her studies.

However, she said, “I am where I am right

now because of my determination and my

passion for science and technology. There

are many opportunities waiting for you.”


ESKOM EXPO

ESKOM EXPOSouth Africans have the talent to compete

amongst the best young scientists in the world

In celebration of Women’s month, Eskom

Expo for young scientists highlights the

achievements of some of our girl learn-

ers at international science fairs.

Two female learners participated in the

Taiwan International Science Fair, which

is a science research competition for

high school students from grades nine to

twelve. Bianca Brandt from Stirling High

School in the Eastern Cape and Savanna

Mendelsohn from Herzlia High School,

Cape Town, represented South Africa.

Savanna Mendelsohn went on to win a

4th award in the Social & Psychological

Sciences category. Her winning project

was about the effect of hands free-cell

phone conversation on visual fields.

Each May, a group of Eskom Expo winners

are offered the opportunity to compete

for more than US$4 million in awards

and scholarships at the Intel International

Science and Engineering Fair. In 2014,

approximately 1 700 young scientists from

around the world gathered for the final

competition from 11 to 16 May in Los

Angeles, California.

Four of our SA students received awards:

A Special Award of $5 000 from United

Airlines Foundation was awarded to

17-year-old Neil Fair from Pretoria Boys

High School, for his project titled: “The

intelligent energy saving power strip”.

At the Grand Awards Ceremony Toni-Ann

Black, 17, from Roedean School, received

a Third Award of $1000 in the category

Computer Science. Her project titled:

“Utilising UV rays to eradicate micro-

organisms on Health Care Workers’ cellular

phones to prevent cross infection”.

Lungelo Sigudla (17) from Newcastle High

School received the Fourth Award of $500

in the category Energy and Transportation.

His project titled: “Utilising pine cone bri-

quettes as an alternative energy source”

Sophia Demetriou, 18, from Selly Park

Secondary School, Bojanala, received a

Fourth Award of $500 in the category

Computer Science. Her project titled: “A

Novel approach to biometric identification

using an iris scanner”

The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists

inspires learners to discover their passion

to explore - not only the world and how

it works, but it also means that you can

explore your true potential as a young sci-

entist. We help to create future scientists.

BE PART OF THE FALLING WALLS LAB JOHANNESBURG

ON 12 SEPTEMBER 2014

SHARE YOUR INNOVATIVE IDEA AT THE FALLING WALLS LAB, WIN A SCHOLAR SHIP AND TRAVEL TO THE FINALE IN BERLIN!

Your Presentation • Present your research project,

business plan, entrepreneurial or social initiative that is relevant to the world of today – in 3 minutes!

• Convince a top-class jury with members from academia, research institutions and business.

• Exchange insights on an inter-disciplinary level with fellow researchers and professionals.

• Get involved in exciting discussions and network with excellent scientists and professionals.

Who can Apply • We are looking for outstanding young

talents and innovative thinkers from all disciplines up to 35 years of age.

• Master students, PhD candidates, post-docs, young professionals, scientists or entrepreneurs are invited to apply.

• Travel expenses for all candidates liv-ing outside the Gauteng province will be sponsored by A.T. Kearney.

Application & Deadline Apply online at www.falling-walls.com/labApplication deadline: 25 August 2014

The Falling Walls Lab Johannesburg

The Falling Walls Lab takes place on 12 September 2014 at Sci-Bono Discov-ery Centre, Corner of Miriam Makeba & President Street, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2107 South Africa

Start: 3 pm

Win a Scholarship and a Trip to Berlin

A distinguished jury selects the winners who• travel to Berlin on 8/9 November 2014• qualify directly for the Lab Finale in

Berlin on 8 November 2014 as one of 100 international and interdisciplinary participants (travel costs and accom-modation are covered).

• are awarded a ticket for the inter national Falling Walls Conference on 9 November 2014 where some of the world’s most prominent scientists from around the world present their current breakthrough research in 15 minutes each.

QUESTIONS? Send us an email:[email protected]

TWEET ABOUT THE LAB: #FWLab

The Falling Walls Lab Johannesburg is hosted by A.T. Kearney.

APPLY

NOW!WWW.FALLING-WALLS.COM/LAB

GREAT MINDS3 MINUTES1 DAY

CONTACT

Anne Lorenz Head of Programme Falling Walls Lab

Falling Walls Foundation Chausseestraße 8E 10115 Berlin, Germany

Email [email protected]

Phone + 49 30 609 88 39 71

Web www.falling-walls.com

FAlliNgwAllslAb2013

The Falling Walls Lab is an international forum, which aims at building and promoting interdisciplinary connections between young excellent academics, entrepreneurs and professionals from all fields. They get the opportunity to present their research project, business model or initiative with peers and a distinguished jury consisting of experts from academia, research institutions, and business – in 3 minutes each. The Falling Walls Lab is organised by the Falling Walls Foundation and A.T. Kearney, a global management consulting firm, with the support of KWS Saat, a leading plant breeding company.

The Falling Walls Foundation, is a non-profit organisation in Berlin, dedicated to the support of science and the humanities. It is a unique international platform for leaders from the worlds of science, business and politics, the arts and society. Falling Walls fosters discussion on research and innovation and promotes the latest scientific find-ings among a broad audience from all parts of society. It organises among others the “Falling Walls Conference” which takes place each year on 9 November, the day of the fall of the Berlin Wall. At the conference 20 top-class scientists from around the world present their current breakthrough research in 15 minutes answering the question: “Which are the next walls to fall?”

After a successful kick-off at the international Falling Walls Conference in 2011, the Falling Walls Lab as a challenging, fast-paced format for young talents was subsequent ly brought to a number of international cities. This year Qualifying Labs are taking place in São Paulo (Brazil), Moscow (Russia), Johannesburg (South Africa), London (United Kingdom) and Los Angeles (USA). The most intriguing presenters of the Qualifying Labs are travelling to the Falling Walls Lab Finale to Berlin (Germany). At the Berlin Lab, 100 innovators will receive the opportunity to present their work in front of a renowned jury and attend the Falling Walls Conference with the chance to meet the world’s top scientists and high-ranked representatives of science, busi-ness and the innovation industry. The three winners of the Finale Lab in Berlin will be crowned as “Falling Walls Young Innovator of the Year”, are invited to showcase their idea once again on the grand stage of the Falling Walls Conference and are awarded a prize money.

For more information, impressions and a short film on the Falling Walls Lab visit: www.falling-walls.com/lab In cooperation with

AbOuT The FAlliNg wAlls lAb brighT miNds, 3 miNuTes, 1 dAy

GET ALL THE ANSWERS AT THESE EXCITING EVENTS AT UJ

Choose the right subjects in Gr 9Learn well in Gr 10Earn the marks you need in Gr 11Apply on time in Gr 12Register to become a UJ student once accepted to UJ

Individuals, parents, teachers and all groups are welcome – proof of your booking must be presented on entrance.

Campus tours will take place on the last Friday of every month, unless there is a public holiday and must also be booked on future.uj.mobi.

Please look out for more information in the press and online regarding UJ’s winter schools and other helpful initiatives aimed at keeping you CLEAR about your future!

From 2014 the UJ OPEN DAY format will be changing to give you, the learner, a valuable experience with us. Instead of one large OPEN DAY, we have put together a calendar filled with smaller focused interactions to offer you the best guidance for your future.

* Please note these dates may be subject to change.

DATE EVENT

23 April 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12

9 May 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12



4 June 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12

23 June 2014 Subject Choice Seminars – Grade 9


30 July 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12

6 August 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12

10 September 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 11

17 October 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 11

Booking is essential, so book today by visiting future.uj.mobi either on your phone or PC or click on the My Future UJ Learner Portal Banner on www.uj.ac.za. If you have problems booking please email [email protected] or call 011 559 6372.

SMS the keyword ODays to 45813 for any further info on any of these events.** Standard sms rates apply.

106838 UJ A4.indd 1 2014/02/18 12:48 PM

GET ALL THE ANSWERS AT THESE EXCITING EVENTS AT UJ

Choose the right subjects in Gr 9Learn well in Gr 10Earn the marks you need in Gr 11Apply on time in Gr 12Register to become a UJ student once accepted to UJ

Individuals, parents, teachers and all groups are welcome – proof of your booking must be presented on entrance.

Campus tours will take place on the last Friday of every month, unless there is a public holiday and must also be booked on future.uj.mobi.

Please look out for more information in the press and online regarding UJ’s winter schools and other helpful initiatives aimed at keeping you CLEAR about your future!

From 2014 the UJ OPEN DAY format will be changing to give you, the learner, a valuable experience with us. Instead of one large OPEN DAY, we have put together a calendar filled with smaller focused interactions to offer you the best guidance for your future.

* Please note these dates may be subject to change.

DATE EVENT

23 April 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12




4 June 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12



30 July 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12

6 August 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12

10 September 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 11

17 October 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 11

Booking is essential, so book today by visiting future.uj.mobi either on your phone or PC or click on the My Future UJ Learner Portal Banner on www.uj.ac.za. If you have problems booking please email [email protected] or call 011 559 6372.

SMS the keyword ODays to 45813 for any further info on any of these events.** Standard sms rates apply.

106838 UJ A4.indd 1 2014/02/18 12:48 PM


1

2

3

4

5

QUIZ

QUIZ

Mist is caused by? A. Dry Ice

B. Ice at low temperature

C. Water vapors at low temperature

D. Carbon-monoxide in solid form

The time taken by the Sun to revolve around the centre of our galaxy is? A. 50 million years

B. 100 million years

C. 250 million years

D. 365 million years

Given below are the names of four energy crops. Which one of them can be cultivated for ethanol? A. Jatropha

B. Maize

C. Pongania

D. Sunflower

Which one of the following reflects back more sunlight as compared to other three? A. Sand desert

B. Paddy crop land

C. Land covered with fresh snow

D. Prairie land

Washing soda is the common name for? A. Calcium carbonate

B. Calcium bicarbonate

C. Sodium carbonate

D. Sodium bicarbonate

NB the answers will be in the next issue, goodluck.

Test your brain.


CSIR

SARAH DIKGALE AN BHAVYA VALLABH FROM

AERONAUTICS SYSTEMS GROUP

Sarah Dikgale, a wind tunnel tech-

nologist at CSIR, studied Electrical

Engineering Heavy Current at

Ekurhuleni West College from 1999 to

2000 and completed her National Diploma

(N6). She was awarded Best Performing

Student in 2000. From 2002, Denel

Aviation appointed her as a trainee air-

craft avionician, which is a combination of

aircraft electrical, radio and instrumental

systems. In 2004, she obtained her trade

test certificate where she qualified as an

aircraft avionics technician.

In 2004, she was appointed on a full-time

basis by Denel Aviation and awarded her

for Overall Best Technician in 2004. She

also completed a Bachelor of Technology

degree in Quality at the University of

South Africa. She joined the CSIR in 2007

as a wind tunnel technologist in the medi-

um speed wind tunnel. She is responsible

for the maintenance and calibration of

instrumentation and its support systems.

In this high-tech test facility, the limita-

tions and behaviours of scale-model cars,

weapons or aircraft’s are tested.

Her advice to young people is: “If you do


CSIR

not believe in yourself and your work,

regardless of the industry that you are in,

then no one will believe in you either.”

Bhavya Vallabh, a wind tunnel test

engineer at CSIR, started her career in

Aeronautics by completing a Bachelor

of Science degree in Aeronautical

Engineering at the University of the

Witwatersrand in 2009. During this period,

she did vacation work at the CSIR and

the organisation gave her a bursary for

the final year of her studies. In 2010, she

became a permanent employee at the

CSIR. In 2011, she completed a Graduate

Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. She is

currently conducting tests in the Medium

Speed Wind Tunnel (MSWT), working

alongside Sarah.

Bhavya and Sarah ran tests to determine

the aerodynamic characteristics of an air-

frame in the MSWT at Aeronautics Systems

(ASC) at the CSIR. These incredible ladies

are thriving in a male-dominant industry

and succeeding beyond their expertise. The

novelty of this is that it was the first time

an all-female team ran such a test.

This is what Bhavya had to say about

working in a traditionally male dominated

area: “Having to manage a group of males

that are older than I am has its challenges,

but our test team is very respectful and

supportive. We are all aware of the tasks,

requirements and roles for the successful

completion of the tests.”


SASOL TECHNO X

SASOLTECHNO X

Sasol Techno X is an exhibition that focuses

on displays, workshops, tours, talks and hands-on activities aimed at educat-ing learners, students and

the general public about the endless possibilities of

science and technology.


CSIR BURSARY

2015

PROGRAMME

• PleasenotethatthebursaryprogrammeisopentostudentsstudyingatSouthAfricanuniversitiesinallprovinces.

• Shouldyounotbecontactedwithinonemonthoftheclosingdate,pleaseconsideryourapplicationunsuccessful.

Closing date: 15 September 2014Should you experience any problems in submitting your application, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre at [email protected]. Please do not submit your application to this mailbox.

To apply for a bursary go to http://www.csir.co.za/recruitment/bursary.php To request a manual application form email [email protected]

The CSIR is a responsible employer; we have put measures in place to ensure that equity is implemented such that it best serves the interests of the organisation and South Africa as a whole. Preference will be given to applicants from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and people living with disabilities. This speaks to the CSIR’s commitment to the Employment Equity Act of 1998.

By applying for this bursary at the CSIR, the applicant understands, consents and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from a registered credit bureau and/or SAPS (in relation to positions that require trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances) and may also verify the applicant’s educational qualifications and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.

TheCSIRinvitesapplicationsfromstudentswishingtoregisterforundergraduate(alllevels)andHonoursstudiesforthe2015academicyearinthefollowingoperatingunitsandfields:

activate your career

CALL FOR APPLICATIONSThe CSIR is pleased to announce a comprehensive bursary programme that is aimed at providing support for talented students in selected fields of science, engineering and technology (SET). The bursaries are designed to be especially attractive to those students that are considering a career in research, with a value that will comprehensively cover all the normal costs associated with university studies, such as registration, tuition, books, accommodation, meals, laptop, etc. A generous living expenses allowance is an additional part of the package, to assist all selected students with incidental costs. Both academic merit and financial need will be considered during the selection process, as well as the imperative to increase the participation of women and black people in SET.

The CSIR invites applications from students wishing to register for undergraduate (all levels) and honours studies for the 2015 academic year in the following operating units and fields:

CLO

SIN

GD

ATE

:15

SEPT

EMBE

R20

14

www.csir.co.za

BSc/BEng undergraduate studies in the built environment fields:•Civil •Architecture•Geo Information Systems(GIS)•Construction Management•Mathematics •Oceanography•Mechatronics•Mechanical

BSc/BEng undergraduate and postgrad-uate studies in the defence and security fields:•Electronic•Electrical (light current)•Mechanical•Aeronautical• Industrial •Computer Science •Computer Engineering•Applied Mathematics and Physics•Chemistry •Biomedical Engineering

BSc/BEng undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the information and communication technologies fields:•Electronic •Software •Computer Engineering•Computer Science•Artificial Intelligence• Information Systems•Computational Linguistics• Information Technology•Remote Sensing

Areas of Interest include: Speech analytics (audio and text), Wireless technologies, High Performance computing, Hybrid broadcasting and broadband technologies, Software devel-opment, Mobile applications, Data Science and Visualisation, Sensor Networks

BSc/BEng undergraduate studies in the information security fields:•Applied Mathematics (physics) (first year)•Mechanical Engineering (first year)

•Computer Science (third or fourth year)•Computer Engineering (third or fourth year)

BSc/BEng undergraduate studies in the natural resources and the environmental sciences fields:•Chemical Engineering (BTech or BEng) (fourth

year)•Meteorology/ Climatology (Applied Math-

ematics/ Physics/ Mathematical Statistics provided with interest in Climatology & the environmental sciences) (third year)

•Chemistry (fourth year)

BSc/BEng postgraduate studies in the natural resources and the environmental sciences fields:•Chemistry •Meteorology/Climatology (Applied

Mathematics/ Physics/ Mathematical Statistics provided with interest in Climatology & the environmental sciences)

•Geography and Environmental Management with a focus on Waste management

Requirements:•A South African citizen •Planned enrolment at a South African university

in 2014 •An average of 65% for the current academic year

Your application must include: •A copy of your Identity Document• A copy of your CV • Latest transcripts (academic results).


CSIR BURSARY

2015

PROGRAMME

• PleasenotethatthebursaryprogrammeisopentostudentsstudyingatSouthAfricanuniversitiesinallprovinces.

• Shouldyounotbecontactedwithinonemonthoftheclosingdate,pleaseconsideryourapplicationunsuccessful.

Closing date: 15 September 2014Should you experience any problems in submitting your application, please contact the CSIR Recruitment Centre at [email protected]. Please do not submit your application to this mailbox.

To apply for a bursary go to http://www.csir.co.za/recruitment/bursary.php To request a manual application form email [email protected]

The CSIR is a responsible employer; we have put measures in place to ensure that equity is implemented such that it best serves the interests of the organisation and South Africa as a whole. Preference will be given to applicants from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and people living with disabilities. This speaks to the CSIR’s commitment to the Employment Equity Act of 1998.

By applying for this bursary at the CSIR, the applicant understands, consents and agrees that the CSIR may solicit a credit and criminal report from a registered credit bureau and/or SAPS (in relation to positions that require trust and honesty and/or entail the handling of cash or finances) and may also verify the applicant’s educational qualifications and employment history. The CSIR reserves the right not to appoint if a suitable candidate is not identified.

TheCSIRinvitesapplicationsfromstudentswishingtoregisterforundergraduate(alllevels)andHonoursstudiesforthe2015academicyearinthefollowingoperatingunitsandfields:

activate your career

CALL FOR APPLICATIONSThe CSIR is pleased to announce a comprehensive bursary programme that is aimed at providing support for talented students in selected fields of science, engineering and technology (SET). The bursaries are designed to be especially attractive to those students that are considering a career in research, with a value that will comprehensively cover all the normal costs associated with university studies, such as registration, tuition, books, accommodation, meals, laptop, etc. A generous living expenses allowance is an additional part of the package, to assist all selected students with incidental costs. Both academic merit and financial need will be considered during the selection process, as well as the imperative to increase the participation of women and black people in SET.

The CSIR invites applications from students wishing to register for undergraduate (all levels) and honours studies for the 2015 academic year in the following operating units and fields:

CLO

SIN

GD

ATE

:15

SEPT

EMBE

R20

14

www.csir.co.za

BSc/BEng undergraduate studies in the built environment fields:•Civil •Architecture•Geo Information Systems(GIS)•Construction Management•Mathematics •Oceanography•Mechatronics•Mechanical

BSc/BEng undergraduate and postgrad-uate studies in the defence and security fields:•Electronic•Electrical (light current)•Mechanical•Aeronautical• Industrial •Computer Science •Computer Engineering•Applied Mathematics and Physics•Chemistry •Biomedical Engineering

BSc/BEng undergraduate and postgraduate studies in the information and communication technologies fields:•Electronic •Software •Computer Engineering•Computer Science•Artificial Intelligence• Information Systems•Computational Linguistics• Information Technology•Remote Sensing

Areas of Interest include: Speech analytics (audio and text), Wireless technologies, High Performance computing, Hybrid broadcasting and broadband technologies, Software devel-opment, Mobile applications, Data Science and Visualisation, Sensor Networks

BSc/BEng undergraduate studies in the information security fields:•Applied Mathematics (physics) (first year)•Mechanical Engineering (first year)

•Computer Science (third or fourth year)•Computer Engineering (third or fourth year)

BSc/BEng undergraduate studies in the natural resources and the environmental sciences fields:•Chemical Engineering (BTech or BEng) (fourth

year)•Meteorology/ Climatology (Applied Math-

ematics/ Physics/ Mathematical Statistics provided with interest in Climatology & the environmental sciences) (third year)

•Chemistry (fourth year)

BSc/BEng postgraduate studies in the natural resources and the environmental sciences fields:•Chemistry •Meteorology/Climatology (Applied

Mathematics/ Physics/ Mathematical Statistics provided with interest in Climatology & the environmental sciences)

•Geography and Environmental Management with a focus on Waste management

Requirements:•A South African citizen •Planned enrolment at a South African university

in 2014 •An average of 65% for the current academic year

Your application must include: •A copy of your Identity Document• A copy of your CV • Latest transcripts (academic results).

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DRAFTFCB CAPE TOWN 10003863CT/E


At Engen, we want to give you some extra encouragement during your final exams because we understand that education is the first step to a brighter future. That’s one of the reasons why we invest in subjects that will be of long-term value to our business and South Africa. For nearly 3 decades, Engen Maths and Science Schools have provided extra tuition to learners in grades 10 to 12 across the country. Engen wishes you every success for your final matric exams.

Exercise and eat correctly to combat stress.

If the workload is too big, join a study group. But make sure you actually study.

Don’t postpone difficult topics

when studying - tackle the hard

bits first.

Don’t procrastinate!

Good luck!

Studytips

Draw up a study

timetable.

Create a study environment free from

clutter and distractions.

Get a decent night’s sleep. It helps with your concentration.Use tables,

flowcharts and figures - pictures can help you remember

facts.Go over as many past papers as you can.

Get up a little earlier on the morning of an exam - it will allow

you time to have a proper breakfast and you will feel calm when you

arrive at your exam venue.

Make flashcards, use acronyms, sing jingles - anything to help you remember.

www.engenoil.com/education

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Documents

Women in science issue