Four Young SA Scientists to Showcase Innovations at World Olympiad in Bali

December 3, 2025

Four Young South African Scientists to Represent Country at Global Innovation Olympiad

Four talented young South African scientists will showcase their award-winning innovations at the prestigious World Innovative Science Project Olympiad (WISPO) in Bali, Indonesia, from December 10-13, 2025.

The students, all Gold medal winners at the Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF), will travel under the guidance of delegation leader Jane Wasonga, the Eskom Expo Johannesburg Regional Science Fair Director.

Meet South Africa's Young Innovators

The delegation includes:

• Dzunisa Chauke (Grade 12, Khanyisa Education Centre, Mopani)
• Milla Vorster (Grade 11, Curro Durbanville, Stellenbosch)
• Ismaail "Miles" Hassen (Grade 11, Greenside High School, Johannesburg)
• Albertus Willem "Wium" van Niekerk (Grade 10, Paul Roos Gymnasium, Stellenbosch)

Groundbreaking Projects Address Global Challenges

Each student will present innovative research that tackles significant real-world problems:

AI Voice Detection System

Dzunisa Chauke's project, "Synthetic vs non-synthetic voices," developed a highly accurate system capable of distinguishing human voices from AI-generated audio. His work addresses urgent cybersecurity risks related to AI impersonation and fraud, using advanced techniques including MFCCs, chroma analysis and a Random Forest model.

Bioprinting Vascularized Organs

Milla Vorster will present "The Organic Palette: Bioprinting Vascularized Organs," which addresses one of regenerative medicine's greatest challenges. Her research offers innovative methods for 3D bioprinting vascularized tissues with potential applications in organ transplantation, surgical training, and drug testing.

Assistive Device for the Visually Impaired

Ismaail Hassen's project, "Design and Evaluation of Walk-Man," introduces an affordable wearable device that provides real-time obstacle detection, GPS tracking and tactile/audio feedback for visually impaired individuals. His innovation performs comparably to much more expensive assistive technologies, enhancing mobility and independence.

Eco-friendly Fungicide Alternative

Albertus van Niekerk's research, "In vitro growth inhibition of Penicillium digitatum by lavender oil," explores using lavender essential oil as an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical fungicides in citrus production. His experiments demonstrated that higher concentrations of lavender oil can deliver antifungal results comparable to conventional imidazole treatments.

International Recognition for South African Innovation

The World Innovative Science Project Olympiad is an annual international science fair organized by the Indonesia Scientific Society (ISS), bringing together young scientists from around the world to showcase their research and innovations.

Mologadi Motshele, Acting CEO of the Eskom Development Foundation, emphasized the importance of youth participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation (STEMI) for South Africa's development: "By developing a strong pathway of skilled and enthusiastic scientists and innovators through the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, we can build a more promising future for South Africa."

Parthy Chetty, Eskom Expo Executive Director, added: "Their achievement reflects strong mentorship, community support, and the power of science education to transform lives. We urge schools, educators, and young people across the country to be inspired by their example."

Opportunities for Future Scientists

Registration for the Eskom Expo is currently open. School learners in Grades 4–12 and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students (NC(V) Level 2 to NC(V) Level 4) can register their research projects by visiting www.exposcience.co.za.

Key Terms Explained

World Innovative Science Project Olympiad (WISPO): An international science fair held annually in Indonesia that brings together young scientists from around the world to showcase their innovations.

Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF): South Africa's premier science fair for school students, providing a platform for young scientists to present their research and compete for recognition and opportunities.

MFCCs and Chroma Analysis: Technical methods used in audio processing to analyze and identify characteristics of sound, useful in distinguishing between real and synthetic voices.

Random Forest Model: A machine learning algorithm that combines multiple decision trees to improve accuracy and prevent overfitting, particularly effective for classification problems.

Bioprinting: The process of creating tissue-like structures using 3D printing technology with biological materials, often used in regenerative medicine research.

STEMI: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Innovation – educational disciplines considered essential for developing technical skills and advancing economic development.