Jive Media Africa in collaboration with The British Council has brought the international FameLab® competition to South Africa in 2013.

And the winners are…

From left: Prof Janice Limson (Judge), Lorenzo Raynard (SAASTA/ Judge), Robert Inglis (Director, Jive Media Africa), Febe Wilken (runner up), Barend Jansen van Vuuren, Christopher Maxwell, Ntokozo Shezi, John Woodland (runner up), Ahmed Seedat, Charlotte Hillebrand, Michelle Knights (overall winner), Charmaine Drury, Prof Albert Modi (UKZN Dean, Judge), Remo Chipatiso (British Council), Prof Himla Soodyall (Judge).

Nine finalists took to the stage at Scifest Africa in Grahamstown for the FameLab South Africa 2013 final. In front of a capacity crowd, the finalists presented a range of interesting and diverse 3 minute talks. The audience cheered on their favourites, but ultimately only one contestant could be named FameLab SA 2013 winner. The prize went to Michelle Knights, a SKA student from Cape Town who was named the first ever South African FameLab winner. She receives a R10 000 cash prize as well as a trip to the UK to compete in the International FameLab final in June 2013. Runners-up were John Woodland also from Cape Town and Febe Wilken from Johannesburg who both receive a cash prize. The event generated much excitement and brings new perspectives on science in South Africa.

Regional Heats and Regional Finals took place at:

• SciBono Discovery Centre in Johannesburg 21 February 2013

• Gateway Science Centre in Durban 26 February 2013

• Cape Town Science Centre 28 February 2013

Regional winners walked away with great prizes and the opportunity to hone their presentation skills with leading UK-based trainers before competing in the National Final at SciFest Africa 2013 in Grahamstown.

FameLab® is an international competition dubbed “Pop Idols for scientists”. It seeks out new voices in science, technology, engineering and maths – developing science communication skills and profiling role-models to inspire the next generation of scientists. Since its inception at the Cheltenham Science Festival in 2005 it has spread to 23 countries around the world.

Let’s work together to excite and inspire South Africans with a new vision for science and technology!

Robert Inglis

Director, Jive Media Africa

Cell: +27(0)84 357 7333

Tel: +27(0)33 342 9382

Remo Chipatiso

Head: Projects and Partnerships Team British Council

Cell: +27(0)82 809 9989

Tel: +27(0)11 560 9322

FameLab® © Copyright Cheltenham Festivals Ltd.

SciFest Africa 2013 welcomed Science Spaza where we opened our doors to thousands of young budding scientists!

Here you could get knowledge for mahala! Free resources were handed out and experiments done with simple found objects – for all to see that YOU CAN DO IT!

To read more about this and to download resources go to www.sciencespaza.org, an initiative of Jive Media Africa.

Jive Media Africa’s association with Professor Modi began whilst he was CEO of the Moses Kotane Institute of Science and Technology in 2010 when we partnered to bring public audiences Café Scientific (now Science Spaza – a science education and outreach initiative by Jive Media Africa).

Professor Modi’s vast experience in education, especially encouraging the studying of science and mathematics, as well as his profound passion for making science and mathematics accessible and relevant to rural communities have organically lead to this exciting partnership.

Jive Media Africa’s core aims of delivering accessible communications in fields as diverse as health, human rights, biodiversity and science and technology are enhanced through Professor Modi’s profound wisdom and involvement.

Professor Modi has taught crop science at UKZN since 1996, studied a Ph.D. on a Fulbright Scholarship at Ohio State University, won several awards including the Agricultural Writers SA (North) Agriculturalist of the Year Award in 2009 and a Fellowship Award from the South African Society of Crop Production 2011, joined the Department of Economic Development in KwaZulu-Natal to establish and lead the Moses Kotane Institute of Science and Technology as CEO, was a founder member of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) and personally funds children from five rural schools in Transkei (in the village from which he comes) to study Science from Grade 10 to 12.

Albert’s passion is infectious and Jive Media Africa is privileged to have him on board!

What is Science Spaza?
Science Spaza is an exciting, fun and interactive science learning experience bringing curriculum-linked science to disadvantaged schools around South Africa through science clubs. The objective of Science Spaza is to improve science literacy in schools and also to support educators to teach science in a fun and enjoyable manner. Science Spaza aims to establish a network of science clubs in disadvantaged schools across the country, supported with appropriate resources and tools.

What it offers
South Africa lags far behind other countries when it comes to maths and science education. The lack of resources and the lack of opportunity for experiential learning is in part responsible for this state of affairs. With this in mind, Science Spaza aims to support the development of science clubs around the country, providing them with resources and guidance.

Each resource includes fun and exciting activities, an experiment/ demonstration which can be done with found objects, explanations and curriculum links. The resources benefit not only learners, but also educators. These resources are available on the Science Spaza website and can be printed and distributed where possible.
Science Spaza also provides suggestions, support and tools for setting up your own science club in your school or community. Science clubs and schools can register with Science Spaza to receive updates and additional resources – and from time to time the chance to participate in competitions and other initiatives.

Science Spaza Events
In addition to the above, Science Spaza also arranges events from time to time. These include talks, shows and other engaging activities including meeting science role models. These events will take place in the year 2013 from February to June and promises to be a great experience.
Science Spaza opens possibilities for learners and educators – taking South African science to new heights because “KNOWLEDGE IS NCAH!!!!!”

Contact:
For more information or to get support with a science club in your area contact:
Ayanda Nxumalo, Project Manager – Science Spaza
Robert Inglis, Director – Jive Media Africa

Science is part of our daily lives – so why not drop in at your local Science Spaza and pick up a little knowledge…

Science Spaza – Because Knowledge is Ncah!

If you want to get involved in sponsoring Science Spaza’s, please contact Robert Inglis here or call us on +27-(0)33-342 9382/0…

R. Simangaliso Kumalo

This book aims to revive the legacy of John Langalibalele Dube who made a tremendous contribution to the liberation of the African people in South Africa. Dube was a pastor, first President of the African National Congress, a Pan-Africanist, founder of Ohlange Institution, and a counselor to Zulu kings.
In the 21st Century, as Africa seeks to determine its own future, Dube’s legacy offers valuable insights. The book ex- amines issues of self-reliance, good governance, and African identity and – most relevant to by  in post-apartheid South Africa – reminds us that religion is political and politics can be religious, as revealed by the life of Dube who held the two in a creative tension.

Produced by Jive Media Africa

Published by Cluster Publications

Pre-order from http://www.clusterpublications.co.za

Tissue Culture/ Indigenous Plants

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GMO

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Vaccines

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Forensics

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GeneBank

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Biomining

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Jive Media Africa’s new initiative: Science for the People.

We took the leap! A cosmic event that won’t happen again for another 4 years!

On Wednesday the 29th of February we celebrated the leap year. We discovered how the orbit of the Earth makes a 20 year old celebrate their 5th birthday this month!

Fikiswa Majola, Science junkie, passionate about astronomy and science outreach, skyped in. Fikiswa has traveled across the country and Africa to tell anyone who would listen about the beauty of astronomy, its importance in Southern Africa and how to grow up to be an astronomer.

Water

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Waste

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Tourism

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Nature

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Energy

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Climate

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