Science, technology and innovation solutions for Limpopo villages

11 April 2024 Hits: 1

Science, technology and innovation solutions for Limpopo villages

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For a group of Grade 12 leaners from Russel Bungeni High School, science sprang to life when they entered the school's first science laboratory. The sight of microscopes, Bunsen burners and other equipment created instant interest. Donning lab coats, the physics learners immediately started trying out the equipment.

The science lab was officially handed over to the school on Friday, 5 April. It was built and equipped by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and its partners, the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies at Stellenbosch University, the South African National Energy Development Institute and the Agricultural Research Council.

The lab is one of the DSI's Special Ministerial Community Projects, which aims to bring scientific infrastructure and development to rural villages in the country. Another is the Masia Water-Energy-Food Nexus Project, which was handed over on the same day.

Russel Bungeni High, an hour's drive from Makhado, falls under the Vhembe District Municipality. Learners, educators and parents excitedly welcomed the lab, as the learners previously had to travel to the Vuwani Science Centre to do experiments.

"We used to travel more than one hour and 30 minutes to Vuwani and sometimes used our own money to pay for the transportation. [Getting the lab] shows we are not alone on this road," said Grade 12 leaner Hlamulo Mabundza appreciatively.

Tinyiko Shirindza, the science teacher at Bungeni High School, was also excited about the new laboratory, saying it was a dream come true.

"The lab opens a whole new world for learners, who can now experience science and do experiments at school. With the solar system installed to generate electricity for the lab, we will no longer experience problems with photocopying and printing learning material."

The lab has also been supplied with a borehole equipped with two 25 000 l tanks, which would also benefit the school's food security initiatives.

The science lab will also support science education in Bungeni Village and surrounding areas and make it possible to expose Grade 8 and 9 learners to science experiments, which was not possible before. This should improve science learning outcomes in the region.

In addition to the science lab, the DSI also officially unveiled the Masia Multipurpose Centre in Masia Village, a few kilometres from Bungeni. The Water-Energy-Food Nexus Project boasts a solar photovoltaic energy system, water supply, fruit trees and a shaded area for vegetables. The shade is important as the area experiences very high temperatures.

Dr Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, was represented by Dr Mmboneni Muofhe at the unveiling.

Muofhe, the DSI Deputy Director-General: Socio-Economic Innovation Partnerships, addressing more than 3 000 community members, said the Department was on a mission to ensure that previously disadvantaged communities had access to science facilities to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

"The DSI seeks to boost socio-economic development in South Africa through research and innovation. To achieve its goals, the Department provides leadership, an enabling environment and resources for science, technology and innovation," said Muofhe.

The Masia project includes green energy solutions such as hydrogen fuel cell technology and hydroponics to support food security in the region.

While the science lab will assist school learners, the Masia project is training interns from technical and vocational education and training colleges in agricultural production, teaching them about improving crop yields and introducing sustainable farming practices. The first sweet potato crops were harvested last year, and fruit and vegetable seeds are being germinated in a nursery.

The nursery also supports small and emerging farmers in Masia and surrounding villages by giving them access to opportunities for developing small and medium business enterprises. It is expected that farmers in the region will soon be able to buy seedlings at Masia instead of travelling as far as Polokwane or Nelspruit.

An exhibition, which ran alongside the event, gave learners from the area an opportunity to get information on a range of career opportunities and see science, technology and innovation demonstrations. It was the first such exhibition in the area.

The traditional authority for Bungeni and Masia, Chief Thovhele Masia, thanked the DSI for bringing science and technology to the region. He said that the villages embraced modern methods, which would help empower the community.

"We need people who have knowledge to help us learn new things such as generating own own electricity to reduce our dependence on Eskom, for example," said the Chief.

The Limpopo MEC for Basic Education, Ms Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, welcomed the Special Ministerial Community Projects. The MEC said that the learners at Bungeni High School and in the surrounding areas would no longer have to imagine doing experiments, but would actually be able to do them.

"We are thankful to the DSI, and to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande. Because of their support, we now see science and innovation in action here in the district," said the MEC.

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