COMMENT
SA’s young scientists compete with the best A s I write this, I have just returned from the ‘far west’ of the planet having attended the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), a programme of the Society for Science and the Public in the USA. The ISEF is the largest pre-college science and engineering fair internationally, attracting well over 1 700 young scientists from across the world. They are judged based on the quality of their work presented at the fair.
Based on my observations, I would rate this year’s ISEF as having the highest overall standard I have ever seen at the fair. It is undeniable that the whole Covid pandemic aected basic education around the world – but it is clear to me that we are more than over that hiccup now. And it is heartening to see this. It means young scientists, and their educators, are right on top of the latest challenges, the latest technologies, and the latest tools to add value to research. And of course, AI is part of the deal. It is to be embraced, but to be used ethically and smartly, as it should be. I recall that when I was at school, we were allowed to use calculators… now, that may be obvious to some, but it was not a common trend back then. Many thought it was the worst possible thing that could be done. Well, we survived, and frankly had a far better education, pushing far more boundaries than folk limited to log books and counting on their fingers… While I was at the ISEF, I was reminded that I have been a Grand Awards judge there for 15 years now, and a Co-Chair for seven. Time flies when you are having fun, doesn’t it? It is my fervent view that the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists must continue to participate in this pinnacle event – and challenge our own basic education system to step up and reach the general standards that we know it is capable of – indeed, that we know it has to reach if, as a nation, we are going to hold our own on the planet! Our top performing learners are world class, of that there is no doubt, but we need to li£ everyone up to those levels. We have no time to waste, and we have no option!
Editor: Leigh Darroll Business Development Manager: Angela Devenish Design & Layout: Katlego Montsho Circulation: Karen Smith Technical Editorial Consultant: Ian Jandrell South Africa’s renewable energy sector continues to grow as the energy transition progresses and the country moves towards a liberalised, competitive, electricity market, placing new demands on the transmission grid.
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Although there are many special awards, made by groups and institutions interested in specific attributes of the competitor and their work – for instance, the award of a scholarship to study at a university close to the youngster’s hometown – the really significant awards are the Grand Awards. Grand Awards judges are selected from industry, research, academia – and from across all nations. Their task is to identify the work deserving gold, silver, bronze and 4th awards in each category – where typically a category will have one gold award, and possibly three silver awards and so on. It is a remarkably competitive environment. In South Africa, the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists is the local fair ailiated to the ISEF, and each year selected South African youngsters have the chance to compete against the very best in the world at ISEF. No amount of speaking and sharing can ever compensate for actually being there, being part of the fair, and engaging with other young people who share your own passions. In my view, what happens at ISEF is that bright young people discover that they are part of a growing and vibrant international group of like-minded youngsters who can only see a better world driven by Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. And so it should be! These are our people! They are the real ‘rock stars’ of the future, these are the youngsters who will build our collective future.
Publisher: Wilhelm du Plessis Managing Director: Karen Grant
Total audited circulation Quarter 1 (January - March) 2026: 7960
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Electricity+Control is supported by
Ian Jandrell PrEng IntPE(SA), BSc(Eng) GDE PhD, FSAAE FSAIEE SMIEEE
The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher, the editor, SAAEs, SAEE, CESA or the Copper Development Association Africa
JUNE 2026 Electricity + Control
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