Pontso's Cape Town Adventure

Pontso Mothibeli, a learner from Emang Mmogo Comprehensive School, was first introduced to the world of environmental sciences in 2015 when she was selected to participate in the SAEON Arid Lands Node Science Education Programme. Through this programme she was exposed to the scientific method, data collection and reporting, various scientific and conservation techniques, as well as careers in this field.

In 2017, Pontso, who had now been in the education programme for 3 years, was selected to represent the ALN Science Engagement Programme at the 2017 SAEON Education Symposium in Cape Town. For her, this was the opportunity of a life time, as it was her first experience travelling by air and residing in a five star hotel. To say that she was excited about this opportunity would be an understatement. Pontso was determined to make the trip to Cape Town a memorable one. She put in a lot of hard work and energy to prepare a presentation.

Pontso was the first learner to present on the day. Her presentation was on a habitat assessment that the learners conducted during the Arid Lands Node’s Grade 11 Science Camp. One would have expected her to be nervous, but that was not the case. She put all the skills and knowledge she learned over the years on display. She exuded confidence and captured the audience with her presentation. At the end of it all she had the following to say, “To experience such an awesome adventure is a one in a thousand opportunity. I was inspired and surely do believe now with all my heart that with science one can go far in life. Thank you so much, SAEON, for being a contributing factor to a positive goal-setting of being a good scientist and one day I will travel the world and go beyond Cape Town.” Pontso indicated that she would like to become a botanist.