Salusiwe shines in science competition

PHIRI CAWE

Luhlaza High School principal Mutile Qezo is beaming with pride after one of their Grade 12 pupils  represented her school and the country in a science competition in Columbus, Ohio, in the United States of America last week.

Salusiwe Mxayiya’s remarkable achievement earned her a trip on an international platform at the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) from May 10 to 16.

Regeneron ISEF 2025 is the world’s largest pre-college Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) competition.

Talking to Vukani on Monday, Mr Qezo thanked the teachers and their mentors for the care they give to produce outstanding pupils.

Mr Qezo and the staff expressed immense pride in Salusiwe's accomplishments, emphasising how her achievements reflect the potential of pupils from low-income areas, in addition to elevating the school's reputation. 

“We are very proud of her. It was not her first time with such an achievement in science. Last year she went through the same process and won as number one in the province while she was in Grade 11. She went to Johannesburg and won prizes. She got a prize also for the school. She is a committed child. She is very interested in science. Her first project was about parasites in fish. We believe that she is destined for greater heights. Through her teacher and a mentor she achieved a lot. She was selected to represent the country in Columbus.  She has uplifted our school and Khayelitsha. In that light, she has uplifted South Africa,” said Mr Qezo.

He said Salusiwe's success was made possible through the guidance of her mentor teacher, Zizipho Mdikazi, and Thomas Mthontsi from NRF-SAEON (National Research Foundation [NRF] South African Environmental Observation Network [SAEON]), as well as the opportunities provided by the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists.

He said he was happy that his school has a science club that guides the pupils. He said Salusiwe is helpful to others. Mr Qezo said he believes that compared to other schools in Khayelitsha, his school has a high number of maths and science pupils.

The pride of Luhlaza, Salusiwe said to be in Ohio was an amazing experience. She admitted to having always loved science even before she understood what it was.

'I've always known I wanted to be a scientist. It was always just a matter of what kind and when I would be one until I started doing science projects in Grade 9 which was when I knew this was it, this would be how I practiced my love for science,” she said. 

She said she was the first out of her five siblings and in her home to have left the country and the fact that she was representing her country was also a bonus. “My parents are very proud of me to be the first to go overseas to represent the country. They are loving it,” said Salusiwe.

As much as she is not sure what route to take in life, her advice to her peers is to follow their dreams and passions even if they seem unrealistic.

She added that they need to be kind and respectful.

She also thanked her mentor Thomas Mtontsi and her teachers, Khunji Socikwa, Zizipho Mdikasi, including her supervisor Yonela Geja as well as the two organisations she collaborated with on her project, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment as well as the NRF-SAEON for providing her with the resources she needed as well as support.

She encouraged her peers to keep participating in the competition so they can go out and see other countries.