FameLab in South Africa is run by
the British Council in partnership with Jive Media and the South African Agency
for Science and Technology Advancement (SAASTA). This year the FameLab South
Africa competition attracted over 35 young scientists who were selected through
regional finals across the country. In the competition, scientists are given
three minutes to deliver a science talk to a non-science audience, using only
props they can carry onto the stage.
Raven Motsebangwe’s winning
speech at the National Finals held in Grahamstown in March 2014 was titled 'How
viral infections are like alien invasions', a speech which compared viruses
to aliens. Not only is Raven interested in the complexity of viruses, he also
relates them to social problems such as HIV/AIDS. Raven said, “I come from a
place that has one of the highest HIV/AIDS infection rates in the world, and
the term ‘viral infection’ is sadly an all too familiar one in my country.”
When asked about how he feels
about representing South Africa at the international finals, Raven Motsewabangwe said;
“If someone had told me 3 months
ago that I would be representing the country in an International science
competition I would have dismissed the idea with the greatest of ease. But
today this has become my reality and it is the greatest honour I could have
ever asked for. Being a role model is not only a duty for me but it is a privilege
and I will try my very best to make my fans and my country proud. What makes
this trip extra special is the fact that the first time I travel outside the
country will be an occasion where I take on the world and I owe great gratitude
to The British Council, Jive Media and SAASTA for this opportunity.”
British Council South Africa Country Director, Colm McGivern said; “This
young South African will represent his country alongside the best young
scientists in the world at the FameLab international finals in Cheltenham,
UK. We’re proud to be able to support
him, and having seen his work I know it’ll go off with a ‘bang’!”
Robert Inglis, Jive
Media Africa Director said; "We are so proud of Raven - putting South
African science on a world stage. Raven, you will not be alone on that stage in
Cheltenham - we are standing right beside you!"
Lorenzo Raynard,
Manager at the Science Communications Unit at SAASTA said; “Raven is an
excellent example of the new breed of young scientist who embraces any
opportunity to share their passion for science; and if the stage is not their
thing, then they find it in writing popular science stories, engaging in public
debates, capturing images of science around them, blogging, or helping out at
science centres.”
The FameLab project seeks out new
voices in science, technology, engineering and maths – developing science
communication skills. It creates opportunities for partnership between South
Africa and the United Kingdom through mentorship of emerging scientists and by
creating opportunities for young scientists to interact with a global
scientific community. Since its inception at the Cheltenham Science Festival in
2005 it has spread to 23 countries around the world.
For media enquiries contact:
Doric Sithole
Communications Manager (British
Council)
Telephone: +27 (0) 11 560 9342
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 809 6055
#ENDS#
Notes to Editors
1. The British Council is the UK’s
international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural
relations. We create international opportunities for the people of the UK and
other countries and build trust between them worldwide. We work in more than
100 countries and our 7000 staff – including 2000 teachers – work with
thousands of professionals and policy makers and millions of young people every
year teaching English, sharing the Arts and in education and society
programmes.
We are a UK
charity governed by Royal Charter. A publically-funded grant-in-aid provides
less than a quarter of our turnover which last year was £781m. The rest we earn from English teaching, UK
exams and services which customers around the world pay for, through education
and development contracts and from partnerships with other institutions, brands
and companies. All our work is in
pursuit of our charitable purpose and creates prosperity and security for the
UK and the countries we work in all around the world.
Connect with British Council South Africa by
visiting our website: https://www.britishcouncil.org.za
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