Finalists competed for ZAR 9 million in prizes and bursaries at the 46th Eskom Expo International Science Fair

Finalists at the 46th Eskom Expo for Young Scientists International Science Fair competed for ZAR 9 million in prizes and bursaries, along with further opportunities.

The ISF ran at the Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre from 29 September to 2 October, drawing young scientists from across South Africa and abroad. Public viewing was scheduled for 1 October 2026 from 15:00 to 17:00.

Grade 8 learner Denica Swartz from Eunice High School in the Free State won the Top Junior Scientist Award and its ZAR 50,000 cash prize for her project evaluating lactic acid as a treatment for eutrophic pond water. Her research found a 77.92% decrease in chlorophyll-a under one treatment, while also identifying ecological limitations tied to increased water acidity.

Grade 11 learner Tshepisho Vuyo Nkosi from Zacheus Malaza Secondary in Mpumalanga won the Best Development School award and its ZAR 50,000 cash prize for a heuristic model determining positional advantage in Morabaraba. Tested across approximately 230 board states, the model demonstrated the potential of computational modelling to analyse and digitally represent indigenous African strategy games.

The ISF recognised outstanding research with 25 Gold, 100 Silver and 111 Bronze medals awarded across the Eskom Expo categories.

Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Nomalungelo Gina was scheduled to address aspiring young scientists during the 2026 Eskom Expo finals in Johannesburg.

Selected participants can represent South Africa at international science fairs and competitions. Opportunities were expected to include science fairs and programmes in Taiwan, India, Tunisia, China, the United States, Indonesia, Ireland and Türkiye. The selected participants were due to be announced in the coming months.