Image: Wandile Mgaga (third from left), a microbiology student at the University of Zululand, received his trophy and prize money as the winner of the National Science Month logo competition. He was joined on stage by the competition runners up and the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, (right) during the National Science Month 2026 launch at the Vaal University of Technology on 4 July

When science and creativity come together, extraordinary things happen.

This year, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement (NRF-SAASTA) challenged South African TVET and University students to do just that through the National Science Month (NSM) Logo Design Competition.

The rationale behind the logo competition ties in with the move in 2026 from National Science Week (NSW) to National Science Month (NSM), a development that made the old NSW logo obsolete.

The competition invited students from higher education institutions and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges across the country to create a visual identity that captures the essence of National Science Month and reflects the power of science, technology and innovation to transform lives.

NRF-SAASTA assembled a panel of specialists in brand management to review and rate the designs submitted by students, with the top three being recommended to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, for the final selection.

Emerging as the winner was Wandile Mgaga, a microbiology student from the University of Zululand in Kwa-Zulu Natal, whose vibrant and thought-provoking design will now become the official symbol of National Science Month. The runners-up were Ndalamo Mutshekwana from Nelson Mandela University and Asekho Gadi from the Buffalo City TVET College, both in the Eastern Cape. They joined Wandile at the NSM 2026 launch on 4 July 2026 to receive their accolades from the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina.

For Wandile, the inspiration behind the winning design was rooted in a simple but powerful idea: science has the ability to bring people, innovation and technology together to shape a better South Africa.

“I wanted the design of my logo to be creative and energetic so that it would appeal to younger audiences while also being proudly South African and representing the need for technology in our everyday lives,” he explained.

Every element of the logo was carefully considered and carries a deeper meaning:

• The atom symbolises scientific research, discovery and education.
• The human figures, inspired by the National Research Foundation logo, represent unity, inclusivity and the participation of young people in science.
• The leaf signifies growth, sustainability and the important connection between innovation and nature.
• The circuit-inspired patterns reflect technological advancement, innovation and the increasing role of digital technologies in society.
• The colours of the South African flag celebrate the country’s diversity, unity and collective aspirations.

Together, these elements tell a compelling story about science as a force that connects people, empowers communities and creates opportunities for a better future.

The NSM Logo Design Competition was about far more than creating a new visual identity. It formed part of a broader effort by the DSTI and NRF-SAASTA to place science, technology and innovation at the centre of society and to encourage greater public participation in science.

By opening the logo design process to students, the organisers recognised that creativity and innovation are deeply interconnected. The competition also provided a platform for young people to contribute directly to a national initiative and to demonstrate that science engagement can take many forms—including design, storytelling and artistic expression.

The theme underpinning National Science Month: “Science, Technology and Innovation are for Everyone” is clearly captured in Wandile’s logo. Its emphasis on inclusivity, diversity and participation reflects the vision of a South Africa where everyone, regardless of age, background or profession, can see themselves as part of the country’s science and innovation journey.

For Wandile the achievement is both a personal milestone and an opportunity to contribute to a national movement that seeks to inspire the next generation of scientists, innovators and changemakers.

His winning design stands as a testament to the power of youthful creativity and demonstrates that when science and imagination meet, the possibilities are limitless.