Dr Gina launches inaugural Girls in STEM Programme at University of Pretoria
The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, today launched the inaugural Girls in STEM Programme at the University of Pretoria (UP), in a collaborative drive to inspire the next generation of women scientists, engineers and innovators.
The event was hosted at UP's Sci-Enza which is South Africa's oldest interactive science centre supporting academics and lay audiences who are interested in science.
The initiative responds to the persistent underrepresentation of women in many STEM disciplines and seeks to build a stronger pipeline of female scientists and innovators. It aims to inspire, mentor and expose young women to career opportunities in STEM fields.
The programme is a collaborative initiative between the Departments of Science, Technology and Innovation, and Basic Education, the University of Pretoria, UNESCO, L'Oreal South Africa and the National Research Foundation.
More than 100 Grade 12 girls from five schools around Pretoria attended the event, where they heard inspiring accounts from accomplished scientists. The participating schools included Strauss Secondary School, Ekangala SOS Secondary School, Saulridge Secondary School, Jafta Mahlangu Secondary School and Ribane-Laka Secondary School.
Addressing the learners, Dr Gina said the programme represents more than the launch of an initiative.
"Today is the opening of pathways, possibilities and purpose. To the young women in this audience, I want you to know this: science needs you. Africa needs you. The future needs you," said Deputy Minister Gina.
She noted that while talent was equally distributed, opportunities are often not, and highlighted the barriers that continue to prevent many girls from pursuing careers in science and innovation. She thus emphasised that strategic partnerships were critical in creating an enabling environment for young women to thrive in STEM disciplines.
"Together, we are creating an ecosystem that nurtures curiosity, unlocks talent and expands opportunity. Through programmes such as this, we are introducing girls to inspiring women scientists and innovators, providing access to mentors and role models, and demonstrating that careers in science are within their reach."
The programme aligns with South Africa's national priorities to strengthen the country's science, technology and innovation capacity, while advancing gender equality and inclusive economic growth.
Welcoming participants to the university, Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Francis Petersen encouraged learners to embrace curiosity and dream boldly.
"Today is about possibilities. It is about opening doors that some of you may never have imagined walking through. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are not subjects that belong to someone else; they belong to you too," he said.
He reaffirmed the university's commitment to growing the country's STEM talent pipeline and creating opportunities for young women to engage with science from an early age, further highlighting the importance of women in addressing some of the continent's most pressing challenges, including healthcare, food security, clean energy, climate resilience and digital innovation.
In addition to engaging with women scientists and researchers, the learners participated in interactive and exciting STEM activities that demonstrated various concepts in chemistry and mathematics.
One of the learners, Treasure Mahlangu from Jafta Mahlangu Secondary School in Mamelodi, described the event as a "very productive day" for her, thanking her former teacher, Ms Zanele Ntuli, who taught her science at Grade 10.
"Ms Ntuli showed me that science is not limited to laboratories or textbooks; it is part of everything around us. She also taught me that, as a woman, I have the power to achieve anything I set my mind to," said Treasure, moving Ms Ntuli to tears.
Ms Ntuli, who has been teaching science for more than 25 years, said that teaching science has been a fun experience for her since then.
"Seeing learners achieve excellent results in science makes me realise that I have fulfilled my dream. As I approach retirement, I am proud to know that I will leave behind a legacy of learners who are passionate about science," said Ms Ntuli, encouraging every learner to keep an open mind and recognise that science is a subject they too can master.
She described the Girls in STEM Programme as exciting, saying she was particularly encouraged by the enthusiasm of the young women who attended and by the growing number of girls choosing science subjects at school.
As the inaugural Girls in STEM Programme, the initiative lays the foundation for sustained collaboration between government, academia and industry to ensure more young women are equipped with the confidence, knowledge and opportunities to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
ISSUED BY THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
For more information, please contact Veronica Mohapeloa at 083 400 5750.
