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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
3Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
4 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 anne.lorenz@falling-walls.com
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
5Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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
6 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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 Manyongaeditorial@sciencestars.co.za
Graphic Designer • Cinzia-Joey Swartz
Project Manager • Renata Williams
Contributing Writers • Unathi Kondile • Donovan Goliath • Oswald Kucherera
Chairman • Madambi Rambuda
Sales Executive • Tinyiko Khozatk@sciencestars.co.za
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
8 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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
9Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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:
10 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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.”
13Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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
14 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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
15Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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
17Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
PUZZLE
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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
18 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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.
19Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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.
24 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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,
25Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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.
26 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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.
021 839 2507info@sciencestars.co.zawww.sciencestars.co.za
/sciencestars.faceb.co.za@ScienceStars2
27Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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.
021 839 2507info@sciencestars.co.zawww.sciencestars.co.za
/sciencestars.faceb.co.za@ScienceStars2
28 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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
29Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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.”
30 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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:mark.saunders@atkearney.com
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 anne.lorenz@falling-walls.com
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
14 May 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12
16 May 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12
4 June 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12
23 June 2014 Subject Choice Seminars – Grade 9
24 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 learnerportal@uj.ac.za 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
9 May 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12
14 May 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12
16 May 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12
4 June 2014 Mini Open Day – Grade 12
23 June 2014 Subject Choice Seminars – Grade 9
24 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 learnerportal@uj.ac.za 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
34 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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.
35Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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
36 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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.”
37Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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.
38 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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 Recruitmentqueries@csir.co.za. 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 bursaryprogramme@csir.co.za
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).
39Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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 Recruitmentqueries@csir.co.za. 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 bursaryprogramme@csir.co.za
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
40 Science Stars Magazine Women In Science Issue | www.sciencestars.co.za
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
FCB
CAPE
TOW
N 10
0070
95CT
/E
10007095CT Engen_Study Tips Ad_215x275E.indd 1 2014/08/27 10:22 AM