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By Palesa Nguqu
Phodisho Samuel Maganyela, a 15-year-old Grade 10 learner from Lesedi Secondary School in the Tshwane District, Bronkhorstspruit, has won top honours in the 2025 Bokamoso Creative Essay Competition, held recently in Klipspruit, Gauteng.
Maganyela impressed judges with his imaginative yet practical essay on how young minds can engineer sustainable solutions to address South Africa’s pressing socio-economic and environmental challenges.
The competition, themed “Innovating for Impact: How Young Minds Can Engineer a Sustainable South Africa,” invited Grade 10 and 11 learners from no-fee and government-funded schools to submit essays proposing innovative ideas that could help shape the country’s future.
Entries were judged on originality, creativity, and relevance to issues such as energy and water security, waste management, infrastructure development, and equitable access to education.
Hosted by Knight Piésold in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), the initiative aims to promote youth engagement in sustainability and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Maganyela’s essay stood out for its visionary ideas rooted in science and engineering principles.
Vishal Haripersad, Managing Director of Knight Piésold South Africa, praised the young winner and the broader initiative.
“This competition showcases the incredible creativity and potential of South Africa’s youth. Each essay reflects a deep awareness of the challenges we face as a nation and an inspiring determination to engineer positive change,” said Haripersad.
He added that mentorship lies at the heart of the company’s culture.
“This competition extends our values by supporting young thinkers long before they reach university or enter the workplace,” he said.
Haripersad said the company plans to expand the programme’s reach in future.
“Our vision for the Bokamoso Creative Essay Competition extends far beyond recognition — it’s about creating lasting impact. We aim to bring more engineers and scientists on board by offering bursaries and mentorships to students pursuing STEM careers, particularly in civil engineering,” he said.
He noted that Knight Piésold intends to include more under-resourced schools across South Africa by 2026 through stronger partnerships with educators, NGOs, and government departments.
“Through storytelling and visibility, we want to highlight learners whose ideas create real-world change. Sharing their journeys will inspire others and show how creativity and critical thinking in STEM can solve real problems,” Haripersad said.
“This initiative is not just an annual event. We remain engaged with schools throughout the year as part of our investment in future generations.”
The competition has already contributed to educational upliftment in Gauteng, providing resources and support to enhance STEM learning in under-resourced schools.
Crescentia Ngwenya from the Gauteng Department of Education commended the partnership.
“STEM education is a vital driver of innovation, economic growth, and global competitiveness. Initiatives like this inspire learners to pursue careers that will shape South Africa’s future,” said Ngwenya.
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