The principals and teachers of Tulbagh High, Waveren High and Roodezandt Secondary – were delighted to each receive the latest CAPS approved Natural Science, Physical Science and Life science kits at a special handover function at each of the schools last week, proudly sponsored by Gouda Wind Farm – Blue Falcon.

One of the exciting kits covers the FET physical sciences curriculum for grades 10 to 12. Topics include mechanics; waves, sound and light; matter and material; and chemical change. They contain all the necessary chemicals and are housed in a lockable metal cabinet with topic trays. The other kit consists of Life Sciences material and the third Natural sciences and Technology, all of which come complete with a teacher’s guide and learner worksheets.  

The science kits were presented to the three schools by Irfaan Petersen, Economic Development Manager at Acciona Energy Global South Africa. He said that South Africa’s future prosperity depended on increasing numbers of graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and that this process started at school level. “We hope that the science kits will help to improve the performance of learners in these subjects at local schools. This will enable them to go on to university and ultimately begin careers in engineering and scientific fields which will contribute to a vibrant economy” added Petersen. “We are strong believers in investing in our local communities and will follow the progress of the learners at these nearby schools with interest,” he said.

Mr AM Beerwinkel, Principal of Roodezandt Secondary said, “We are delighted to receive these science kits which will be a major boost to our teaching programme. It will help our learners to engage with science and increase their understanding and appreciation of a subject which many believe to be a difficult one.” He thanked the Gouda Wind Farm – Blue Falcon for their support, saying, “This is a fine example of a private sector partnership at local level which aims to tackle the national challenges facing South Africa.

”The Department of Basic Education’s (DBE) Director for Partnerships in Education, Mr Louis Taylor added “These are the youngsters who have the potential to become the country’s technical leaders of the future. We view this as an investment in the learners, in their schools and, on a wider scale, in education and the economic growth of the nation. ”It is clear that by providing essential equipment in classrooms we can boost academic performance at schools. Corporate South Africa has a critical role to play in this process and we are grateful to Blue Falcon for this gesture,” continued Taylor.

The project was coordinated and managed by Ahmed Motala of the New Africa Education Foundation, an NPO that has partnered with Blue Falcon to roll out the project to the schools.

Event going ahead as planned despite water shortages 

Investment in water solutions is needed by the public and private sector to enable universal access, water security and resilient societies. African Utility Week will have a strong focus on water again this year from 15-17 May in Cape Town when the strategic water conference will showcase how partnerships, financial models and latest technological advances can make the greatest impact in meeting Africa's water demand. 

“We want utilities to start thinking out of the box on water solutions, capabilities and solutions,” says Gerardt P. Viljoen, Managing Director of Sensus SA and GM for Sensus in Africa, an event sponsor and one of the expert speakers at the water conference at African Utility Week. 

He continues: “the water situation in South Africa is not only worrisome it should be considered as THE top priority for any form of economic sustainability. Increasing storing capabilities, reviewing traditional catchment areas and weather pattern changes, recycling of water and waste water treatment, network infrastructure maintenance and demand side management should all be top NATIONAL priorities going forward.”

The Sensus SA MD adds: “it’s important to not only have smart metering. Smart metering should be intelligent. How to make smart metering intelligent and use it to solve infrastructure, supply and demand issues is what we are all about this year.”

The full interview with Gerardt Viljoen can be read here: http://www.african-utility-week.com/Sensus-interview  Sensus is a returning gold sponsor at the event.

Event going ahead as planned despite water shortages
Meanwhile, the organisers of African Utility Week have assured all stakeholders in this long running conference and exhibition that the event will go ahead as planned despite the current water restrictions in Cape Town.

“As a major event in the City, African Utility Week plays a crucial role in contributing towards the in-ward bound travel market,” says event director Evan Schiff, “by holding the event as planned, African Utility Week will continue to support the Cape Town economy as we cannot allow for there to be massive job losses on top of a water constrained situation.”

He adds: “at present, no events have been cancelled by the City, Provincial or National Government. Working together, we have ensured that each responsible party is doing what it can to ensure water savings and keeping events water-neutral. To this end, African Utility Week has engaged the City, venue, suppliers and all surrounding hotels to ensure that every opportunity has been taken to reduce water use and guarantee that attendees will have access to water.

”Please consult the African Utility Week website for FAQs on attending the show and managing your water usage.

Award-winning energy platform
The 18th annual African Utility Week will gather over 7000 decision makers from more than 80 countries to discuss the challenges, solutions and successes in the power, energy and water sectors on the continent. Along with multiple side events and numerous networking functions the event also boasts a seven track conference with over 300 expert speakers. The conference programme will address the latest challenges, developments and opportunities in the power and water sectors: ranging from generation, T&D, metering, technology and water.

The African Utility Week expo offers an extensive technical workshop programme that are CPD accredited, free to attend, hands-on presentations that take place in defined spaces on the exhibition floor. They discuss practical, day-to-day technical topics, best practices and product solutions that businesses, large power users and utilities can implement in their daily operations.

AUW wins two more AAXO ROAR Awards!
Earlier this month, African Utility Week won its second and third AAXO ROAR Awards (Association of African Exhibition Organisers) when it was named Best Trade Exhibition in 2017 in the 12000+ sqm category, as well as the Best Overall Exhibition for 2017.

Co-located to African Utility Week is another AAXO award winner for best confex in 2016, the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit, an international platform that brings together the full spectrum of the African real estate and infrastructure sectors.

African Utility Week is the flagship energy event organised by the multi-award winning Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and part of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. Other well-known energy events by Spintelligent are Future Energy Nigeria and Future Energy East Africa.

Dates for African Utility Week:
Conference and expo: 15-17 May 2018
Awards gala dinner:  16 May 2018
Site visits: 18 May 2018
Location: CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa
Website: http://www.african-utility-week.com & www.african-real-estate-summit.com   
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfricaUtilities   #AUW2018  
Linkedin: African Power Forum

Contact:
Senior communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone:  +27 21 700 3558
Mobile:  +27 82 562 7844
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.