Three young South Africans who left the country last week for the final round in the Africa- Japan Essay and Speech Competition (A-JESC) have scooped three prizes in Japan ; one first prize and two second prizes respectively. Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena met these youngsters this afternoon for a special welcoming and prize giving ceremony organised for them by his department.

They fought it out in three main categories; the junior high school, senior high school and the tertiary education category. The competition was open to all learners in South Africa, Zambia and Japan falling in these categories under the theme “ Making science and technology a foundation for partnership between Africa and Japan”. The competition was initiated the Department of Science and Technology in partnership with its office at the South African embassy in Japan, Canon Inc. and Canon SA and was implemented by the South African Agency for Science and Technology (SAASTA).

Three winners from each of the participating countries (SA, Zambia and Japan) went to Japan last week for the final round. South Africa was represented by Zia Maharaj (junior high school), Jerida Maphoto (senior high school) and Jasmeer Ramlal (tertiary education level).

Zia Maharaj (13) of the Beaulieu College in Gauteng, South Africa was the overall winner in the junior high school category with her essay on mutual cooperation in the creation of a knowledge economy for South Africa. Her runner up is 14 year old Nadisa Oda from Shibuya Kyoiku Gauken Junoir and High School in Tyoko.

Jerida Maphoto (15) from the Khaiso Senior Secondary School in Limpopo, South Africa walked off with the second prize in the senior high school category. Akane Kimura (17) of the St Ursula Gakuin High School in Japan took the first prize. The third prize went to Sikaundi Chapanga (17) of the St Andrews High School in Ndola, Zambia.

South African student Jasmeer Ramlal of the University of Pretoria in Gauteng, South Africa came second in the tertiary education category. The first prize went to Yoko Kawamura of the Soka University in Saitama, Japan with her essay ‘Making science and technology a foundation for partnership between Africa and Japan-the possibility of a potato agriculture industry’. The third prize went to Ndashe Chibuye of the Northern Technical College in Ndola, Zambia.

Minister Mosibudi Mangena handed computers to the schools and university of the South African winners. The University of Pretoria has indicated that it will donate the computer won by Ramlal to Tshegofatsong LSEN Secondary School in Mamelodi.

Minister Mangena also welcomed the three winners of the Japanese leg of the competition who are on a study visit to South Africa. They are Oda Nagisa, Kimura Akane and Kawamura Yoko.

The Zambian winners are Ndashe Chibuye, Ladislas Hibusu and Sikaundi Chapanga.

The three South African runners from the first leg are Ravishni Mahadeo (13 years) of Fields College in North West, Alexandra McIlraith (15 years) of Roedean School in Gauteng and Marika Wojcik (24 years) of the University of Pretoria. They each received a prize from Canon SA, represented by Kathryn Whittall.

Issued by: Ben Rootman

Junxion Communications

Tel: +27 12 342 0456

Cell: +27 82 551 4853

For more information on the competition, please contact:

Ina Roos, SAASTA, Cell: +27 82 824 3864 or email: roosi@saasta.ac.za

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