IMAGE: Dr Moloko Matlala (NRF-SAASTA) with learners at Maphokwane Secondary School, in Palaborwa

With the goal of supporting South Africa’s future scientists and innovators, NRF-SAASTA has partnered with Komatsu through the Komatsu Learner and Educator Development Programme. This initiative adopts Grade 10 mathematics and science learners, guiding and supporting them all the way to Grade 12. Educators also gain from the programme through specialised development workshops and access to classroom-support materials.

Nine schools have been identified within the Komatsu area of operation – four in Limpopo, three in Mpumalanga, and two in the Northern Cape. Among them is Maphokwane Secondary School in Phalaborwa, where 30 learners were officially welcomed into the programme on 3 November 2025. Their day began with the distribution of essential learning tools (career guides, calculators, and maths sets) – resources designed to open doors and spark ambition.

During the event, Dr Moloko Matlala (Manager: STEMI Education Division, NRF-SAASTA) delivered an inspiring message, urging learners to commit to excellence and envision bold futures. He discussed a variety of STEM career paths, such as engineering, and highlighted that there are various pathways to success. He urged learners to consider pathways through TVET colleges, should the university route not be successful. He also encouraged the formation of after-school science clubs to deepen learners’ engagement and create opportunities to participate in national and international competitions.

Adding to the excitement, the Phalaborwa Science Centre in partnership with NRF-SAASTA hosted a captivating science show for all Grade 10 learners. The atmosphere buzzed with curiosity as learners witnessed science come alive through dramatic demonstrations. A methanol rocket launch stole the show, illustrating the principle of propulsion and the importance of chemistry in everyday life. Equally thrilling were experiments like the hand of fire, an acid-and-base volcano, and the creation of hydrogen-filled balloons, each one leaving learners in awe of the power and relevance of scientific principles.

The collaboration between NRF-SAASTA and Komatsu is more than a programme, it is an investment in possibility. By equipping learners with tools, experiences, and inspiration, the partnership aims to spark a long-lasting passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). For many of these young minds, this initiative may be the beginning of a lifelong journey into the world of scientific discovery.