KZN twins receive full bursaries for innovative project

MELOKUHLE and Simesihle Khuzwayo, Grade 12 twins from King Bhekuzulu High School in Nongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal, are showing how curiosity and determination can overcome limited resources.

- SIPHESIHLE BUTHELEZI

Their project, “Double Trouble Double Solution: Neutralising Acid & Plastics with Nature’s Help; earned them full bursaries from Eskom at this year’s Eskom Expo International Science Fair. In addition, Simesihle was a recipient of the Babcock International bursary based on what she wants to study next year.

For Melokuhle, science became a passion in Grade 10.

“Learning more about Chemistry really sparked my interest. When my sister, Simesihle, suggested that we enter the Eskom Expo in 2023, I agreed, and we worked on our first group project under the Energy category. Although we only reached the regional Eskom Expo and didn’t advance to ISE, we earned a Silver Medal and the Best in Energy award,” she said.

The following year, the twins switched focus to Agricultural Science. “Living in a small community, we experience daily water shortages, polluted water, and changes in crop colour. We knew our soil was suitable for farming, so we asked ourselves if the problem might be the water instead,” Melokuhle said.