Hoërskool Dinamika attended the nuclear seminar hosted by Minister of Energy and Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, which aimed to discuss the current and future role of nuclear power in SA.
The seminar was held at Meadow Manor, Pretoria.
Science stream educator Marizelle Theron was invited to attend the conference because of her involvement with the Nuclear Sciences and Technology Pilot Project for Secondary Schools under the tutelage of Margaret Mkhosi.
According to Theron, she was asked to bring two learners, a boy and a girl, who are part of Dinamika’s first group of nuclear scientists. She selected learners Trishca Bothma and Juan Theron because they expressed a desire to pursue further education in this area throughout the course.
Significant figures from the nuclear sector surrounded the three Dinamika representatives.
They listened to a range of panel talks on subjects like the status of nuclear energy in RSA, the industry’s readiness for pressurised water reactors and small modular reactors and Applications of Nuclear energy outside of energy.
Additionally, the learners met Samantha Graham-Marè, the deputy minister of energy and electricity.
Ramokgopa was thrilled with the learners’ enthusiasm for the nuclear sector and urged them to pursue their studies with zeal and commitment.
“It is important to have learners who love this course to ensure that we are always ahead of time with power supply as a result of nuclear power because of the insights the learners will have,” he said.
“It was an incredible experience for us. The application of nuclear sciences is so much wider than just power generation. However, nuclear power generation is, of course, an important component in solving our country’s load-shedding problems,” the learners said.
They said it was interesting to hear scientists talk to each other and debate the pros and cons of various types of reactors. It was also enriching listening to the international speakers engaged online and hearing first-hand what international trends are in the field.
“Watch the space,” Theron said.
