When Mpho Mketho, 17, was born, his grandmother, Neliswa Mketho, constantly prayed over his life because he was a sickly child. As his health improved, the family faced the tragic loss of Mpho’s parents, and things seemed hopeless.
“Life was so tough; there was no income in the home, and because Mpho and his two siblings no longer had a guardian, I had to leave my job and house in Johannesburg to take care of them. But difficult as it was, I never lost hope, and I continued praying for God to show us His goodness and bless these children,” Neliswa told PE Express. “I always tell them I don’t have monetary inheritances to leave them, but they must grab education with both hands,” she added.
Even through the hardships, the Mketho children persevered. “Their lives are a testimony of God’s promises,” Neliswa said. Mpho, a Grade 11 learner at Ndzondelelo High School in Zwide, Gqeberha, was recently part of a group of young scientists in the Gqeberha region who had a unique opportunity to showcase their remarkable scientific and innovative research projects at this year’s regional final of the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, winning various medals and prizes.
He was awarded a R60 000 Rhodes University bursary for his project, named the best development project and the best in the biomedical sciences category. Mpho was also selected to participate in the International Science Fair that will be held in Johannesburg in the first week of October 2023.
After observing how often people interact with chemicals when removing bacteria Mpho endeavored to make an affordable (possibly free) anti-bacterial product without the use of any chemicals. “My hypothesis is that if rainwater and dried strawberry calyx are heated at 50°C for a short period of time, a liquid containing tannin can be extracted which then can be used as an effective anti-bacterial solution. Anyone can produce this natural and simple solution with an unused part of the strawberry fruit and have a more hygienic environment,” he said.
“I fell in love with science in Grade 10; it just fascinated me.
“The teachers made it super fun, and honestly, the challenge of science being deemed a complex subject excited me more than anything. I wanted to conquer it. It’s not the easiest, but so worth it; it thrills me.” It’s hard to miss the adrenaline rush in his voice.
After receiving the news about the success of his project, Mpho’s science teacher and mentor, Mr. Qweqwe, announced it at an assembly at school, and the whole school, especially his classmates, were proud of him.
“They were shocked because they weren’t aware that I entered my project in the expo; even the teachers didn’t know I was that into science. Their response to the news really warmed my heart. They were genuinely happy for me,” Mpho said.
