He may have been born into a life of rural poverty but this has not stopped a talented young scientist from pursuing his dream of helping emerging farmers manage their land better.
But before he gets to work full time with poor rural farmers, University of Fort Hare honours student Wandisile Sixhoto could be flying to the UK in June to compete in a prestigious international competition known as the Pop Idols of Science.
The 26-year-old Keiskammahoek-born agricultural extension student was one of only two young scientists from the Eastern Cape to be shortlisted over the weekend for the 10-person South African FameLab finals next month.
“I am very excited to be in the finals of this prestigious competition, especially considering I was a poor boy from the deep rural areas who somehow managed to pull through.”
Sixhoto earned himself a place in the FameLab finals last Saturday when he impressed the judges with his knowledge of phototropism and the tendency of plants to grow towards light.
“It really motivates me as the son of an uneducated mother to know this. I can sit and discuss science with (wealthier) guys from all over.
“I almost cried when I heard I made the finals. It made me further realise that irrespective of one’s past that you can still achieve your dreams.”
Raised in a single parent household in Keiskammahoek by his domestic worker mother, Mandisi Msebenzi, Sixhoto said not even grinding poverty could prevent him from realising his dreams of becoming an agricultural scientist so he could one day help emerging farmers use their land better.
Sixhoto said he decided to study for his honours this year as he had been unable to find work.
The only other Eastern Cape young scientist to make the 10 person South African finals was Rhodes University chemistry masters student, Charlie O’Donoghue.
The 25-year-old Zimbabwean, who is specialising in nanotechnology and electrochemistry, yesterday told the Dispatch he decided to enter FameLab as he was passionate about the scientific work he is doing.
O’Donoghue talked about producing renewable electricity from hydrogen gas.
“I feel that more and more people should be aware that traditional methods of electricity generation are harmful to our planet and simply besides that, we have become so dependent on electricity that we will be in trouble if it runs out.”
The FameLab winner of South Africa’s Pop Idol of Science will be chosen at the Going Global Conference in Cape Town on 4 May.
The format of FameLab, sponsored by the South African Agency for Science and
Technology Advancement (Saasta), the
British Council and Jive Media Africa, involves each speaker presenting a scientific topic or concept to a panel of expert judges in three minutes.
Saasta science communication manager Michael Ellis said the semi-finalists were “brilliant” and judges had a tough job selecting a winner.
The winners from FameLab competitions in 30 countries will participate in the international finals in June. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Young scientist top of his game
But before he gets to work full time with poor rural farmers, University of Fort Hare honours student Wandisile Sixhoto could be flying to the UK in June to compete in a prestigious international competition known as the Pop Idols of Science.
The 26-year-old Keiskammahoek-born agricultural extension student was one of only two young scientists from the Eastern Cape to be shortlisted over the weekend for the 10-person South African FameLab finals next month.
“I am very excited to be in the finals of this prestigious competition, especially considering I was a poor boy from the deep rural areas who somehow managed to pull through.”
Sixhoto earned himself a place in the FameLab finals last Saturday when he impressed the judges with his knowledge of phototropism and the tendency of plants to grow towards light.
“It really motivates me as the son of an uneducated mother to know this. I can sit and discuss science with (wealthier) guys from all over.
“I almost cried when I heard I made the finals. It made me further realise that irrespective of one’s past that you can still achieve your dreams.”
Raised in a single parent household in Keiskammahoek by his domestic worker mother, Mandisi Msebenzi, Sixhoto said not even grinding poverty could prevent him from realising his dreams of becoming an agricultural scientist so he could one day help emerging farmers use their land better.
Sixhoto said he decided to study for his honours this year as he had been unable to find work.
The only other Eastern Cape young scientist to make the 10 person South African finals was Rhodes University chemistry masters student, Charlie O’Donoghue.
The 25-year-old Zimbabwean, who is specialising in nanotechnology and electrochemistry, yesterday told the Dispatch he decided to enter FameLab as he was passionate about the scientific work he is doing.
O’Donoghue talked about producing renewable electricity from hydrogen gas.
“I feel that more and more people should be aware that traditional methods of electricity generation are harmful to our planet and simply besides that, we have become so dependent on electricity that we will be in trouble if it runs out.”
The FameLab winner of South Africa’s Pop Idol of Science will be chosen at the Going Global Conference in Cape Town on 4 May.
The format of FameLab, sponsored by the South African Agency for Science and
Technology Advancement (Saasta), the
British Council and Jive Media Africa, involves each speaker presenting a scientific topic or concept to a panel of expert judges in three minutes.
Saasta science communication manager Michael Ellis said the semi-finalists were “brilliant” and judges had a tough job selecting a winner.
The winners from FameLab competitions in 30 countries will participate in the international finals in June. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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