WE ALL agree that electronics is fascinating.
Our gadgets, phones and computers are built out of electronics, but it’s a gifted person who can turn electronics into a fun hobby.
Kau Mahlomonyane (17) from Ben Viljoen High School in Limpopo, developed a love for electronics at a young age.
Whenever his parents bought him toys, he would only choose the electronic ones.
“At home, there are wires all over our yard, all the way to our rooms,” said Nkatla, his mother.
“One day I found him dismantling my PC – it was in pieces. Instead of shouting at him, I asked why he did it.
“He said he wanted to see how cables were connected inside.”
The young man from Groblersdal, in Limpopo, was all smiles last Saturday when he flew to the US to take part in a science competition.
Kau and eight other Mzansi pupils will be competing against youngsters from different countries in an international competition.
Mzansi’s pupils were selected as part of The Eskom Expo for Young Scientists competition.
Kau’s project is to save water. It detects clean water if the tap is left running and saves it.
He was inspired by water crises affecting different parts of South Africa.
Parthy Chetty, executive director for the expo, said the platform gives pupils who have the passion for science an opportunity to pursue science as a possible career.
“Pupils will compete with some of the best young minds in the world and be judged by the best judges in the world.
“We do very well internationally. In the last three years, we were ranked number two.
“We also found that teachers working in no-fee paying schools lack adequate equipment, so we provide a lot of resources. Last year, 73% of our pupils who participated were from disadvantaged schools.”