​Thembisa Shologu
Despite coming from an impoverished background, growing up in the infamous Kokotela informal settlement in Lawley nothing could  stop the bright mind, Nkateko Moyane from dreaming big and beating all odds.
The Grade 9 learner, Moyane walked away as the Siemens winner for his Hybrid Solar-wind power generation system in the energy category at the 2024 Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF) held at the Emperors Palace Convention Centre in Ekurhuleni.
The fair brought together the brightest young scientists from across South Africa and various countries around the world.
"The inspiration behind my project is that at home we use solar, we do not have electricity, so when there's wind and there no sun and it is cloudy day, we cannot use our solar. So, I thought if I make a wind turbine system which has a wind turbine and solar panel that could make a productive system.
"My project is Hybrid Solar-wind power generation system. It combines solar and wind power to generate electricity, to increase the voltage output I am using a generator composed of two motors. When the armature coil inside the motor wind spins, it spins the other armature coil of the other motor on the other side, and it then produces 29 Volts maximum," said the 14-year-old Moyane.
He said that he enjoyed science because it kept him intrigued and curious to dig more and more but that most importantly it keeps him away from the streets and society problems.
Kokotela informal settlement where Moyane lives, was illegally established in 2017 on a land that was owned by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements. During the 2020 lock down people were evicted, and some shacks demolished which left families displaced.
Two other Gauteng winners were Ammarah Patel, a Grade 10 learner at Parktown High School for Girls from Johannesburg Region won the 2024 Top Senior Scientist, winning a R75,000 cash prize and Naveera Chana, a Grade 8 learner from Cooper College in the Johannesburg Region, won the 2024 Top Junior Scientist recipient, winning a R50,000 cash prize.
Patel's project, titled "The Optimization of the Physical Properties of Bioplastics," was in the Environmental Studies category.
"I am an avid environmental buff, so I have constantly been reading up on the news and how plastic has harmed the environment causing animals to die, how it polluted the seas. I felt that personally I should do something about that and change the status quo,"
"I came up with this idea since last year when I was in Grade 9, and I have been working on it for two years. My biggest support system is my mom and brothers, they have supported me all the way to this point,"
"I think that there is so much room for my project to continuously work on I am still going to continue working on my project, this is just the beginning," she said.
Chana's project, titled "Design of a Low-Cost System for Photosynthesis Measurements," won in the Plant Sciences category focusing on finding a more cost-efficient and effective method to measure the CO2 assimilation of different plants outdoors.
Eskom Development Foundation Acting CEO, Mologadi Motshele said: "We at Eskom are incredibly proud of the young scientists who have participated in the Eskom Expo initiative, gaining valuable knowledge, skills, and insights as they explore the dynamic fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Innovation (STEMI).
"We encourage other like-minded school learners to take an interest in this initiative and consider pursuing careers in STEMI fields. By doing so, they can become the architects of a brighter and more prosperous South Africa for future generations." 
Photo cred:Eskom Expo