On Friday, 31 October, the Siyakhula Sibasha Science Showcase brought community leaders, academics and young innovators together at the Khaya Ibhubesi Conference Centre in Parys. The event celebrated the achievements of all participants in the flagship project, ‘Reimagining Community Education Post-Covid-19: Mobilising Youth as Community Assets to Reduce the Educational Divide in a South African Township”, which ran from 2023 to 2025.
The showcase reflected on the project’s milestones, partnerships, and community impact, while outlining the next steps to support youth who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET).
Science Shop for Community Engagement
The event was hosted by Prof Lesley Wood, the academic project lead and Extraordinary Professor in the Community-based Educational Research (COMBER) entity, and Mrs. Beatrix Bouwman, Director of Sustainability and Community Impact. It marked the successful conclusion of this three-year project. The initiative aimed to equip NEET youth with practical skills in entrepreneurship, career guidance, digital coding, food security, and health and well-being, which they could then use to mentor others in their communities. During the showcase, the NEET youth demonstrated the skills, knowledge, and personal development they had gained through personal and virtual stories and skits.
The project was funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) via the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), and successfully established a Science Shop at the NWU. A Science Shop is a university-based initiative that connects researchers with local citizens, organisations and civil society groups to address real-world problems collaboratively and in a participatory manner.
Collaboration for Community Impact
The project’s success was made possible through robust institutional partnerships. Several NWU faculties and departments, including Library and Information Services (LIS), the Science Centre and the faculties of Economic and Management Sciences, Education, and Natural and Agricultural Sciences, contributed to its implementation.
Additional gratitude is extended to the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as Kgorogo Social Investments, Ikamva Youth, and Mandawana Youth Club, for collaborating with us to empower young South Africans.
Key findings and Academic Insight
The showcase featured project presentations from NWU academics and several project leaders. These included Dr Rachel Mayimele, Senior Lecturer and Programme Coordinator (BEd ECCE), Dr Pateka Jama, Subject Group Leader and Senior Lecturer (COMBER), and Dr Debbie Mtshelwane, Programme Leader: Human Resource Management (FEMS). Dr Karen Puren, Senior Lecturer at the
Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, Urban and Regional Planning (FNAS), Dr Nosipho Nxumalo, Junior Lecturer, Faculty of Education, and Mr Lebogang Seabelo.
Prof Wood shared the project’s key findings across its three phases. The first phase focused on facilitating the development of NEET youth. In the second phase, the NEET youth researched and developed programmes that they then facilitated with other youth who attended the NGOs. The final phase evaluated the project’s impact on youth learning and development.
Reflecting on the journey, mater’s student Nkosiyomonzi Dassie stated, “This project reminded me that transformative work is not only about changing spaces, but it is also about personal growth and collective resilience.”
Prof Wood then led a panel discussion with NGO partners, including Pinampi Maano and Palesa Lehasa from Kgorogo Social Investment, and Kgomotso Metsuaramere from Ikamva Youth, who shared their thoughts on sustainability and long-term impact.
The event concluded with a graduation ceremony honouring the NEET youth, project leaders, and key participants, followed by a gala dinner celebrating achievement, inspiration, and resilience.
Project leaders and partners celebrate the successful conclusion of this transformative project
Celebrating recognition, inspiration and elegance at the gala dinner
