TSHITUNGULWANE – Five brilliant science learners of Ratshikwekwete Secondary School represented their circuit, district and the province in particular with pride during theYoung Scientist Competition known as Science Expo 2005 at Pretoria University last week.

The outstanding performance showcased by Londani Shirilela, Thembuluwo Ramulumo, Hulisani Muavha, Ambani and Vusani Manavhela in the study of chemistry, physics, plants and animals (science) within their circuit, (Vhuronga 1) and Vhembe District led them to participate at the national Young Expo 2005 competition in Pretoria in September to October 1, 2005.

The five future scientists were adamant that they would proceed to the next stage of the challenging competition at the international level, irrespective of the fact that they will be competing with learners from schools with technological laboratories. They claimed that they will be studying things systematically and testing their ideas carefully, through implementation of their theoretical experience.

Before they left for Gauteng last week, one of the students, Hulisani Muavha, said that, with the support they receive from their teachers and parents, nothing will stop them. “We are going to do well because we don’t want to let them down,” he said.

Another learner, Londani, added that “we want to astonish the country by proceeding to the next stage of the competition as students from one of the marginalised schools in the land, because we want to put our school on the science map. Asked about the secret behind their success without enough resources, including water, school principal Mr E Mavhivha cited the commitment of parents to their children’s school work and more hard work by his teachers as the most contributing factor of his school's success. “These learners are participating in this competition for the first time and they have done something very good. It is their first attempt and it is our view that, if they don’t make it to the next stage, they have gathered a lot of experience from learners from other provinces,” he claimed.

The five learners also received R500 from the Vuwani SAPS station commissioner, Senior Supt N Becker. He told Mirror since they had adopted the school some years back and they view it as crucial to support learners who are willing to prove and improve themselves academically. “They are not involving themselves in criminal activities, but in their academics, so we feel proud of them. As the station, we regard them as our children and we wish them good luck,” he said.