VUWANI – Thanks to the cooperation between the University of Venda, the Zenex Foundation, the Department of Science and Technology and the Limpopo Department of Education, learners in the rural area of Vuwani now have access to a brand new science centre.

Science and Technology Minister Mosibudi Mangena officially opened the second phase of the R1,5 million Vuwani Science Centre on Tuesday. The centre will showcase various displays from science departments of the University of Venda and is poised to become a community service icon in the area.

The resource centre is a community outreach avenue of the University of Venda’s Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences. Since most of the schools in the area do not have any laboratory facilities, learners acquire hands-on experience in the centre’s science and computer labs. This serves to enhance the theoretical knowledge they gain during lessons. Above all, the centre plays a major role in promoting awareness of science and technology among rural learners.

Mangena said science centres assist more learners with science fair projects and bolsters their progression to tertiary studies. “My department’s involvement with science centres is aimed at promoting science literacy among our people as a scientifically literate population increases the pool of young people who are interested in and excited about science. We also aim to increase the number of learners participating and succeeding in mathematics, science, technology and engineering. Science centres are an ideal vehicle for achieving this, as learners can interact in a fun and exciting manner. Vuwani is one of the three centres whose infrastructure has been upgraded with financial assistance from my department. The other two centres are the UniZul Science Centre, attached to the University of Zululand, and the Potchefstroom Science Centre, attached to the North-West University.”

The Minister said the department also aims to provide learners and parents with quality science-based career education. “Young people need to know early about different career paths to make informed choices and they must be made to understand that the mastery of maths and science is a key to many rewarding careers. Furthermore, we need to identify and nurture talent and potential in the youth. Investment in science centres improves our chances of catching potential scientists young,” he said.

Mangena also congratulated six learners from Vuwani for presenting three projects at the finals of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists 2005. The learners are Vusani Manavhela, Thembuluwo Ramulumo, Ambani Manavhela, Londani Shirilele, Khathutshelo Tshimange and Hulisani Muavha.

“You have not only proved that science stimulates young scientific minds, but also that, given the opportunity, all our children have the potential to add value to our system of innovation,” he said.