By OBAKENG MAJE 

21 October 2025- A Grade 12 learner from Mokgareng Secondary School in Taung, Boago Itumeleng (18), who is aspiring to become a Biomedical Engineer, takes the world by storm. Itumeleng recently took part in Eskom International Expo for Young Thinkers, where she competed against international learners and became one of the top performers.  

Mokassa 2 village-born learner, urges learners not to let their backgrounds determine their future. Itumeleng designed and created a medical device (prototype) to assist diabetic patients to improve their diagnosis. According to Itumeleng, most diabetic patients, especially in rural areas, end-up losing their eyesight unnecessarily due to lack of resources. 

“I was part of the Eskom Expo for Young Thinkers initiative, whereby a learner is required to come up with solutions that never existed before to resolve problems that are experienced in daily lives. However, a learner can also come up with an existing, but modified solution to resolve a problem. 

“I participated in the Biomedical and Medical Sciences category during regional and provincial phases. However, at the international level, I was placed in the engineering category. So, the app I created would assist patients, especially in rural areas, to detect the disease called diabetic retina that affects diabetic patients’ eyesight,” she said. 

Itumeleng further said it assists to monitor the retina and collect data. She added that diabetics patients lose eyesight primarily because high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina, a condition called diabetic retinopathy. 

“This damage causes the vessels to leak, swell, or close off, leading to blurred vision, floaters, and vision loss. In advanced stages, new, abnormal blood vessels grow and can bleed, detach the retina, or lead to other complications like glaucoma.  

“However, we can use a smartphone to detect if the patient has diabetic retinopathy. I have also created a website, where one can upload the picture of the retina and run the tests. Most patients in rural areas cannot afford to go to the optometrist because it is too costly. So, this will lead to the patients losing eyesight unnecessarily,” said Itumeleng. 

So, during the Eskom Expo International Young Thinkers competition, she managed to scoop bronze. 

Meanwhile, the Mokgareng Secondary School principal, Mphato Melamu applauded Itumeleng. Melamu said he is grateful and humbled to have a learner of Itumeleng’s calibre.

“You understand that in order for a learner to reach that international stage, it goes down to the quality of education she receives from the school. So, as a starting point, we really need to send our gratitude and honour to her Physical Science teacher.

“In essence, she is the best performing Physical Science teacher in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District and North West province at large. So, we have seen her pedigree and the measurement of her work for the past two years. She produced learners who could hold their own and compete on the international stage against the best,” he said. 

Melamu said last year, two learners from his school produced a portable machine that can produce solar energy. He said now, the project only needs funding to take it forward. 

“As we know that electricity is too expensive, that solar machine will come in handy, especially for those who are from disadvantaged backgrounds. Itumeleng managed to win from all levels, be it at local, regional, provincial, national, including international arena. 

“We are proud of her achievements and remember our children’s education is what we invest in as people from rural backgrounds. We are trying hard as teachers in rural areas to give our learners the best education they can find, despite various challenges,” said Melamu. 

He said fortunately, they have a modern school with necessary resources. Melamu said Mokgareng Secondary School has a computer lab and it was designed to be ICT and Science school with highly-trained educators. 

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