Three of our talented iGEMS learners from Newton Technical High School proudly represented the Eastern Cape recently at the provincial Sasol Kagiso Skills Competition, hosted at Port Rex Technical High School in East London.

Unathi Qalinge competed in Civil Construction, Johannes (Joe) van Rensburg in Power Systems, and Neo Mahlatsi in Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD). Their hard work and determination paid off, with Joe winning second place and Neo taking first place in their respective categories. Both will go on to represent their school and province at the National Skills Competition in Johannesburg this October.

Putting iGEMS Skills Into Action

What makes this achievement especially meaningful is how the learners drew on skills developed through the rigorous iGEMS programme, which they complete alongside their Grade 11 and 12 studies. Time management, stress management, leadership, and persistence – all pillars of the iGEMS journey – proved invaluable in the high-pressure competition setting.

Neo shared that he relied on the stress-management strategies learned through iGEMS while waiting for the results. Joe reflected on his persistence during troubleshooting, while Unathi highlighted how time-management skills from iGEMS helped him stay on track in the practical tasks.

All three expressed deep gratitude to their teachers and mentors. Neo wanted to “show gratitude to the teachers who helped me” by giving his best, Joe was thankful for the opportunity to work with advanced equipment, and Unathi described the chance to gain practical experience as a privilege. Their reflections show humility and a recognition that success is always a shared effort.

Teachers’ Pride and Lessons Learned

Teachers and the school principal were unanimous in their pride:

“For our learners to perform so well, despite not knowing exactly what to expect, was phenomenal – a feather in their caps.”

They spoke of how proud they were not only of the results but also of the learners’ character, determination, and work ethic. “You applied yourselves, and the character you have shown will stand you in good stead. I believe you will make a success of your lives,” the principal told them.

The teachers also emphasised how valuable the competition was in bringing academic knowledge to life. “This kind of hands-on experience is an eye-opener and will stand them in good stead in their future careers. They never disappoint, and we are so proud of them.”

Looking Ahead

The road now leads to Johannesburg, where Neo and Joe will compete at the national level – with bursaries and international opportunities up for grabs. For all three students, the experience has already been transformative.

• Neo hopes to pursue robotics or mechatronics engineering, and says both iGEMS and this competition are helping him develop the skills for that path.
• Joe dreams of working in renewable energy and electrical engineering.
• Unathi has his sights set on civil engineering and values the chance to gain more practical exposure.

A Celebration of Growth and Success

At iGEMS, we could not be prouder of these learners. Their achievements highlight the power of combining strong academics with hands-on, practical experience – exactly what our programme is designed to do. They are living proof that when young people are given opportunities to challenge themselves, they rise to the occasion with courage, skill, and determination.

We celebrate not only their victories but also their gratitude, humility, and commitment to growth. And we celebrate the dedication of their teachers, whose pride and belief in their students make moments like these possible.

Congratulations to Unathi, Joe, and Neo – you are a shining example of what iGEMS is all about: incubating great engineering minds and preparing tomorrow’s leaders.