Youth Month Stories — Celebrating the Journeys Of Former NRF-SAASTA Interns
This Youth Month, NRF-SAASTA proudly celebrates the achievements of former interns who have gone on to make meaningful contributions in their respective fields. From academia and research to industry and public service, these inspiring stories showcase the impact of investing in young talent through skills development, mentorship and workplace learning opportunities.
Through this series, we highlight the journeys, accomplishments and lessons of past interns whose experiences at NRF-SAASTA helped shape their careers and aspirations. Their stories serve as a testament to the power of opportunity, determination and continuous learning, while inspiring the next generation of young professionals to pursue their own paths to success.
Youth Voices Shine in the DSTI Science Journalism Internship
Stories of resilience and progress remind us of the power of investing in young people. For Nobuhle Zozo, participation in a Science Journalism Internship Programme has become more than a workplace learning opportunity - it has been a stepping stone to purpose, growth and impact. Nobuhle’s participation in the Programme opened doors for her own learning and development, but has equally inspired her to do more in the health space through science engagement and further studies.
From NRF-SAASTA to Success: Dr Mandisa Msomi's Path to Academic Leadership
Dr Mandisa Msomi’s journey began with a desire to make a meaningful contribution to society. Her interest in how information and digital technologies can improve service delivery, strengthen organisations and create opportunities for communities inspired her to pursue studies in Information Science, ultimately earning a Master’s degree and a PhD specialising in digital transformation, information governance and records management.
Creating Change Through Service
This Youth Month, the story of Ms. Nyameka Chiya is a reminder that young people have the power to transform our communities when given the opportunity. Nyameka is a participant in the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) National Youth Service (NYS) programme, which is coordinated by the South African Agency for Science and Technology Advancement, a business unit of the National Research Foundation (NRF-SAASTA).