South African youth shine at World Innovative Science Project Olympiad

In an inspiring testament to the burgeoning talent of South Africa’s youth, four innovative young scientists are gearing up to showcase their award-winning research at the World Innovative Science Project Olympiad (WISPO) in Bali, Indonesia, from 10 to 13 December 2025. These exceptional learners, all Gold medalists from the Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF), exemplify the country’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders and innovators.

The team comprises Dzunisa Chauke, a Grade 12 scholar from Khanyisa Education Centre in Mopani; Milla Vorster, a Grade 11 student at Curro Durbanville in Stellenbosch; Ismaail (Miles) Hassen, also in Grade 11 at Greenside High School in Johannesburg; and Albertus Willem (Wium) van Niekerk, who is in Grade 10 at Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch. They will be under the expert guidance of Jane Wasonga, the Eskom Expo Johannesburg Regional Science Fair Director.

Chauke’s project, titled “Synthetic vs non-synthetic voices”, aims to address urgent cybersecurity concerns. He has developed an offline, high-accuracy voice classification system capable of distinguishing between human and AI-generated synthetic audio. By utilising techniques like Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCCs) and a Random Forest model, Chauke’s research stands as a critical response to the increasing prevalence of AI-driven impersonation and fraud, showcasing the relevance of his work on a global scale.

Vorster’s ambitious project, “The Organic Palette: Bioprinting Vascularized Organs”, tackles transformative challenges in regenerative medicine. Her research focuses on innovative methods for 3D bioprinting of vascularized tissues, promising significant advancements in organ transplantation, surgical training, and drug testing. The selection committee commended her initiative for its rigorous experimentation and visionary approach to medical science.

Meanwhile, Hassen will present “Design and Evaluation of Walk-Man: A Wearable Assistive Device for Enhanced Navigation in Individuals with Visual Impairment”. His creation is a compact, affordable wearable device that offers real-time obstacle detection and GPS tracking, while providing tactile or audio feedback. This design not only competes with pricier technologies, but has the potential to greatly enhance the mobility and independence of visually impaired individuals, making a profound impact on those living with disabilities.

Lastly, van Niekerk will share insights from his research, “In vitro growth inhibition of Penicillium digitatum by lavender oil.” His explorations into the antifungal properties of lavender essential oil serve as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fungicides in citrus production. His findings, showing comparable results with traditional treatments, hold promise for sustainable post-harvest disease management and underline the significance of agricultural innovation in the face of environmental concerns.

The Olympiad, organised by the Indonesia Scientific Society (ISS), is an international platform that unites young scientists from across the globe, allowing them to present their pioneering research and innovations.

Echoing the importance of such initiatives, Mologadi Motshele, Acting CEO of the Eskom Development Foundation, remarked, “Eskom is deeply committed to fostering the next generation of scientists and innovators. By supporting young learners in STEM fields, we can empower their potential and contribute to South Africa’s development and prosperity.”

Eskom Expo Executive Director, Parthy Chetty, expressed pride in the young ambassadors of South Africa, highlighting how their achievements reflect strong mentorship, community engagement, and the transformative power of science education. “We encourage all students to pursue STEM opportunities and be inspired by these young innovators,” he said.

As registration for the Eskom Expo remains open, students from Grade 4 to Grade 12, including those in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), are encouraged to submit their research projects. For further details, interested learners can visit www.exposcience.co.za.