April 2017 - Jive Media Africa

It is with great excitement that we congratulate Tshiamo Legoale on her FameLab SA win at Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Johannesburg. Tshiamo delivered three minutes of science communication excellence with her presentation on using wheat as a gold hyperaccumulator from mine tailing dumps, or literally growing gold from wheat!

Tshiamo was one of 10 finalists who progressed from their local heats through to today’s FameLab SA final, competing for an all-expenses paid trip to represent South Africa at the FameLab International Final at the Cheltenham Science Festival taking place from 5-9th June this year. She also walks away with R 5000 cash.

FameLab is an incredible opportunity for young scientists to develop lasting connections with public audiences. The Jive Media Africa pre-heat training covers everything from understanding the importance of public science communication to structure and storytelling to eye contact and body language, empowering participants to share their science with confidence and passion in the heats and beyond.

Thank you to our partners, the British Council and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA), for helping us make this event possible for the 5th year in a row.

We wish Tshiamo the best of luck and brilliance as she joins national winners from all over the world this winter in an attempt to bridge the gaps between science and society.

From left: Dr Sheetal Silal, senior lecturer and researcher in the Department of Statistical Sciences at the University of Cape Town (UCT), Ms Nanji Sheni, Engineer-in-Training at Mintek, Dr Jabu Nukeri, Managing Director at SAASTA, Ms Tshiamo Legoale, scientist at Mintek (Small Scale Mining and Beneficiation division).

You never quite know who you’re talking to… Last year’s FameLab SA final saw an audience member express her immense enthusiasm for the FameLab ‘talking science’ project, hosted by Jive Media Africa in partnership with the British Council and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement. It turns out that Mrs Ameenah Gurib-Fakin is not only a celebrated woman in science – with numerous academic accolades and leadership positions to her name. In addition, she is the president of the Republic of Mauritius.

Her Excellency subsequently approached the British Council to implement FameLab in her own country. One year later, Jive Media Africa is at the British Council offices in Rosehill, delivering a science communication training program in preparation for Mauritius’ first FameLab.

Jive Media Africa’s engaging training program explores why science communication is so crucial and the differences between communicating research to scientists and to the public. Trainees are equipped with skills for radio and television and to deliver short science presentations maintaining audience interest with expert storytelling and physical performance techniques. The 38 participants included prospective FameLab participants, drawn from research organisations and universities across Mauritius. They are joined by local science educators who wish to improve their communication methods.

Our team is also providing strategic support to the British Council in Mauritius for the inaugural FameLab event. If you are interested in getting involved in FameLab, or would like to engage world-class science communication training within your own organization, please get in touch with us via our contact form.

Tshiamo Takes Home the 2017 FameLab SA Title

Jiving in Mauritius: Science communication training for the island’s first FameLab

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