By REGINALD KANYANE
A learner from Gabonewe High School in Madikwe will represent South Africa at the International Festival of Engineering Science and Technology in Tunisia. This comes after Kutlwano Tshatiwa (17) won a bursary with Eskom after he entered an Eskom Expo for Young Scientists in October 2021.
Tshatiwa, who is a computer enthusiast from his tender age, showed interest in software development. A Grade 11 learner’s passion for software resulted in him winning over 10 contests in the computer science field.
His biggest win was the Eskom bursary and this guaranteed him a bright future. The North West Premier, Bushy Maape congratulated Tshatiwa and said the province is proud of him.
“We are proud of Tshatiswa’s achievements and believe that he can conquer the world. We are delighted to see learners from rural communities, at this tender age, taking interest in the 4IR and making their presence felt in that space.
“He is now competing with the best in the world and we are indeed proud. We want to congratulate and wish him well at the International Festival of Engineering Science and Technology in Tunisia,” Maape said.
Tshatiwa won Eskom Expo for Young Scientists ISF 2019 – Highly Commended Award Certificate, Eskom Expo for Young Scientists Bojanala 2019 (Bronze Medal), Eskom Expo for Young Scientists ISF 2020 (Silver Medal), Geekulcha Top 15 Young Geeks 2020, and Youth ICT Council (North West 4IR Champion).
Meanwhile, North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela shared the same sentiments. Matsemela said her department is excited that one of their learners managed to get such a unique opportunity.
“This learner comes from a rural school and he will be competing with learners from other countries. Our department provides quality education equally across the board, irrespective of whether the learners are in an urban or a rural area.
“We remain confident that Tshatiwa is going to successfully make us proud when he comes back. The festival that will be held at Monastir, Tunisia from 24 to 30 June is organised by the Tunisian Association for the future of Science and Technology,” she said.
Matsemela said the extended nine-day program aims to be unique, educational, and fun-packed with excursions to discover rich Tunisia culture.
The Guardian 