South Africa's Young Innovators Shine: Christopher May Takes Top Prize at 2025 Eskom Expo

10 October 2025

The 2025 Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF) concluded with exceptional young scientists receiving substantial cash prizes for groundbreaking research projects that demonstrated innovation and scientific rigor.

Top Honors and Major Cash Prizes

Christopher May from Otto du Plessis High School in Port Elizabeth claimed the prestigious Top Senior Scientist award, receiving a R100,000 prize for his project titled "Differential Geometric Modelling of Sound Signals and Ultrasound Imaging." The Grade 12 student impressed judges with his advanced mathematical approach that enhanced medical imaging capabilities and improved diagnostic accuracy.

The Top Junior Scientist award and R75,000 prize went to Khushi Lall, a Grade 9 student from Tyger Valley College in Northern Gauteng, for her project "Garlic: Nature's Secret to Food Preservation." Lall's work addressed the global challenge of food preservation amid the rise of resistant microbes, showcasing exceptional laboratory techniques and understanding of bacterial strains like Staphylococcus aureus.

Lethabo Kgwete from Moleshatlou Secondary School in the Capricorn Region received the Top Development School award and R75,000 for "The Effect of Livestock Green Compost Tea." The Grade 11 student developed a sustainable, cost-effective fertilizer solution that showed promising results for improving crop yields, particularly beneficial for small-scale farmers with limited resources.

International Participation

The five-day event, held at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park from 6-10 October, brought together young scientific talent from South Africa and six other countries including Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ireland, India, and Russia.

In total, the fair awarded 30 Gold, 77 Silver, and 131 Bronze medals. Select participants will represent South Africa at international science competitions in Taiwan, Tunisia, China, Indonesia, the USA, and Türkiye, with details to be announced in the coming months.

Fostering Future STEM Leaders

Mologadi Motshele, Acting CEO of the Eskom Development Foundation, highlighted the program's importance: "Each year, thousands of learners benefit from Eskom Expo, gaining access to opportunities that would otherwise be out of their reach. We encourage other like-minded school learners to take an interest in this initiative and consider pursuing careers in STEMI fields."

Parthy Chetty, Eskom Expo Executive Director, added, "This achievement is not only a celebration of scientific excellence but a powerful reminder of what's possible when curiosity meets opportunity. To students everywhere: let this be your spark."

Looking Forward

The success of this year's Expo demonstrates the significant talent pool emerging in South African schools across diverse scientific disciplines. These young innovators are developing practical solutions to real-world problems—from medical diagnostics and food security to sustainable agriculture—showcasing the potential impact of investing in youth science education.

A complete list of winners is available on the Expo website: www.exposcience.co.za.

Key Terms Explained

• STEMI: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Innovation - the core educational disciplines that form the foundation of modern technical and scientific careers.
• Differential Geometry: A mathematical field that uses calculus to study curves and surfaces, in this case applied to analyzing sound wave properties.
• Ultrasound Imaging: A medical diagnostic technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of structures inside the body.
• Compost Tea: A liquid fertilizer made by steeping compost in water to extract beneficial nutrients, microorganisms, and organic compounds for plant growth.