Science ignites Dev’s enthusiasm
Dev Mamabolo receives a prestigious award for his appreciation of science and technology.
South African Man of The Year Award winner for 2017 in the science and technology category and 100 Ekurhuleni Shining Stars 2019 award recipient Dev Mamabolo recently bagged another prestigious award for his contributions to the science community.
Dev received a South African Shining Star Award presented by Inside Education, in partnership with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), at a special award ceremony hosted by NYDA at OR Tambo Protea Hotel in Kempton Park last Friday.
“I was honoured to have been given this award in the presence of influential people, such as our Deputy Minister of Finance David Masondo,” said Dev.
“We need individuals like the deputy minister to take note of the work we do so they can make provision for new opportunities within our industry, to help to advance public awareness, appreciation and engagement of science.”
Dev has been spreading his love for science and technology enthusiastically in schools in Limpopo recently.
“Our main objective is to ensure that our learners from various communities between Grade Six and Grade 12 have enough resources to complete science projects and learn how to correctly use research methods,” said Dev.
“We’ve started this programme by first upskilling teachers who will then teach the learners the accurate ways to conduct research for science purposes and to help attract more participants through well-organised and well-funded workshops and prepare them for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
Through his non-profit organisation (NPO), Kosta Foundation, the Airport Park resident will host the Ekurhuleni Science and Technology Expo, in partnership with the metro, later this month in the hope of continuing his work with underprivileged schools.
The event will also motivate learners to participate in the ever-evolving world of science.
“We have partnered with the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), the metro, Gautrain, South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA) and Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) with the objective of bringing science and technology to previously disadvantaged learners,” said Dev.
“Through science and technology fairs we also aim to play a part in implementing the National Science Engagement Strategy of the Department of Science and Technology.”
In addition, Dev reckoned the participation of middle and high school learners in these fairs is part of the National Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) curriculum of the Department of Basic Education and will be beneficial to all as it is meant for the development of learners and teachers in science, technology and innovation.
“We want learners to challenge their way of thinking and produce projects which will help us conduct everyday activities and come up with solutions to the social ills we are facing as a country,” he said.
Find the NPO on Facebook: Kosta Foundation to learn more about the upcoming expo.
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