By 
JOHANNESBURG — Three of South Africa’s brightest young minds are heading to İzmir, Türkiye, to represent the nation at the prestigious 1923 International Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Fair (IMSEF). Running from 1 to 6 June 2026, the global event will see these learners showcase cutting-edge research spanning rocket propulsion, climate-related marine conservation, and advanced analytical mathematics.
The selected delegation, led by Eskom Expo Ekurhuleni Regional Science Fair Director Palesa Selepe, features provincial talent who previously excelled at the Eskom Expo International Science Fair (ISF):
- Connor Kinnes (Grade 11, Elkanah House High School, Cape Town): A previous ISF Bronze medalist, Kinnes will present “Project Pathfinder: Design and Optimisation of a Static Test Rocket Motor.” His data-driven engineering project focuses on manufacturing affordable, scalable, and highly efficient small-scale rocket propulsion systems.
- Joshua Danilatos (Grade 11, Graeme College, Makhanda): Building on his ISF Silver medal, Danilatos’s project, “Catch-and-Release in a Warming Climate: Effects on Reflex Impairment and Stress in Rhabdosargus holubi,” tackles pressing ecological concerns. His findings reveal how rising water temperatures exacerbate stress and impairment in Cape stumpnose fish, offering critical insights for climate-conscious fisheries management.
- Rorisang Mohau Mohlobuli (Grade 9, Bloemfontein High School): Also an ISF Silver medalist, Mohlobuli is tackling analytic number theory with “Quantifying Goldbach: An Analysis of Prime Pairs.” Using logarithmic functions derived from the Prime Number Theorem, he developed a refined mathematical model to predict patterns linked to Goldbach’s Conjecture.
Investing in the Future of STEM
The significance of these projects goes far beyond school-level competition. Commenting on the selection, Mologadi Motshele, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Eskom Development Foundation, praised the learners for tackling complex, global challenges with scalable, data-driven solutions.
“These young scientists highlight the calibre of school-level scientific research being conducted in South Africa, while showcasing the opportunities available to learners and educators who engage in scientific inquiry, innovation and problem-solving,” Motshele noted.
Motshele emphasized that Eskom’s sustained investment in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and the Eskom Expo is a direct investment in the country’s long-term economic growth and technological advancement.
A Call to Future Innovators
As these three ambassadors prepare for the global stage, the search for the next generation of innovators has already begun. Eskom Expo’s District Expos are currently underway nationwide.
School learners from Grades 4 to 12, alongside Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students (NC(V) Level 2-4), are eligible to participate. Aspiring scientists and engineers looking to follow in the footsteps of Kinnes, Danilatos, and Mohlobuli can register their research projects online via the official portal at www.exposcience.co.za.
