Times Of Swaziland: Swazis win E400 000 in Science contest

Swazis win E400 000 in Science contest
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The Times of swaziland on 08/06/2012 00:00:00


MBABANE - Two teenagers from Swaziland have won a Scientific American’s
inaugural Science in Action award, part of the Google Science Fair.
The prize is awarded to a project that addresses a social, environmental or
health issue to make a practical difference in the lives of a group or
community. This year’s winners are Sakhiwe Shongwe of Siteki and Bonkhe
Mahlalela of Simunye, both 14. Their project explores an affordable way to
provide hydroponics to poor subsistence farmers, enabling them to grow their
crops and vegetables in very large quantities and within limited space without
using soil. In addition to a US$50 000 (about E400 000) prize, Shongwe and
Mahlalela will have access to a year’s mentorship and will travel to
Google’s California headquarters in July to compete in the 13-to-14-year-old
age category in the overall Google Science Fair.
Here are excerpts from an interview conducted via e-mail with each winner before
they knew they had won, by Scientific American’s Rachel Scheer.
Q. Why did you decide to enter the Google Science Fair?
Shongwe: After our science teacher told us about the Google Science Fair in
class, I saw the GSF as an instrument and an opportunity to showcase my science
skills. Being born and raised in Swaziland, I have experienced the challenges
which our country is facing. My work in many community development projects,
through the mentorship of our teacher and environmental club patron teacher,
stimulated me to ask questions. Visiting the GSF site for the first time in
January 2012, the phrase which dominated my mind was, "Everybody has a question,
what is yours?" I quickly wrote a few of my questions and that was the start of
the project.
Mahlalela: At first it was just about helping my friend who had taken our
teacher’s advice to think big and take part in such activities such as the
Google Science Fair. I felt the need to help myself, my family and the community
at large. We then asked our teacher if this is a good idea. I remember our
teacher saying, "Go for it boys, this is brilliant." I never believed in myself,
but today Google Science Fair has helped improve self-esteem.
Q. How does your project impact the community you grew up in?
Shongwe: I believe that Swaziland neither needs the tons of food aid coming from
western and eastern countries, nor complex strategies which the country cannot
afford to solve low food productivity. Educating subsistence farmers is the key,
and our experimental project has proven to be one of the best approaches. If we
can empower Swazi subsistence farmers with such knowledge of simplified
hydroponics, producing organic crops, one challenge, i.e. food shortage in the
country, could be significantly reduced. Apart from each family having enough
food, surplus crops could be sold to local markets reducing the high food prices
which are mainly a result of transportation cost of vegetables from South
Africa. In addition, the project has positive environmental impacts as it
promotes the use of three R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle) and eliminates soil
tilling which results in soil erosion.
Q. What does being recognised as a Science in Action Award finalist mean to you?
Shongwe: It means a lot as I have once considered being a scientist and this
could be the start of it all. I see the Google Science Fair as a stage to prove
to the community that I don’t have to be an elder within the community to
offer help. And yes, I cannot express my feelings enough not to mention how
Swaziland could change for the better if I win the award. Even if it could not
change the whole country, targeting Bonkhe’s community could make a
difference, creating a self-sustainable community by developing the people.
Mahlalela: It lets me know that my age does not limit my abilities and that I
can be as useful to the community as much as any other person. Being part of a
solution in a local community even if we don’t win the recognition is as
important as wining the prize. I believe in myself today and know my time is now
not sometime tomorrow when I am old and may not even have energy to solve our
community problems.
Q. Who are your scientific inspirations and why?
Shongwe: My scientific inspirations are all the people and businesses which the
community has a hand in.　 This includes my patron teachers, friends who
helped me in my project, and businesspeople who invest in community development.
Mahlalela: Albert Einstein and Stephen William Hawking are my scientific
inspirations. I find it hard to believe how all their discoveries and
contributions to our understanding about the universe are possible. I’m very
passionate about Physics and Physical Science. Space Science and all the
scientific theories and discoveries evolving each day inspire me most.
Q. What do you think was the most revolutionary invention of the past 100 years
and why? What about the past 10 years?
Shongwe: I’ll focus on the past 10 years; I think it is the ARVs
(antiretroviral drugs) because they save lives. One major challenge in Swaziland
today is HIV/AIDS. Swaziland has more than 100 000 orphans (+/- 8.3 per cent of
the country’s population) due to HIV/AIDS related deaths in just 10 years,
this makes me think of ARVs for Swaziland is the most revolutionary invention.
However I see every invention revolving around the introduction of computers,
internet and software as substantial. Without these all other inventions could
take much more time and effort to invent.
Mahlalela: For the past 100 years I think communication devices and
transportation equipment, such as the airplane, are the most revolutionary since
it opened a gateway towards globalisation. For the past 10 years I believe
it’s ARVs since they saved a lot of people’s lives.
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Comments
Keep it up boys , we love it and God bless you
Jun 8, 2012, 8:22 AM, lady sma (ladysma@yahoo.com)
Maye mukhulu umsebenti waThishela mane nje hulumende wembube akawuboni. That
wonderful boys you have set the pase for your agemete
Jun 8, 2012, 1:01 PM, welcome (volkom28@gmail.com)