Young Cape scientist wins international gold

Young Cape scientist wins international gold

9 June 2026

A Grade 11 learner from Cape Town has demonstrated that perseverance truly pays off, earning top honours at a prestigious international science competition for his research project on optimising small-scale rocket motor performance.

Connor Kinnes, from Elkanah House High School, received First Place and a Gold medal in the Engineering category and was awarded Best Project in Engineering at the International Mathematics, Science and Engineering Fair (IMSEF) held in İzmir, Türkiye.

His project, titled “Project Pathfinder: Design and Optimisation of a Static Test Rocket Motor”, focused on improving the performance, reliability and efficiency of small-scale rocket propulsion systems through an iterative design and testing process.

Reflecting on his achievement, Connor said winning both awards was a rewarding culmination of years of effort.

“Winning felt like a special moment where the countless hours of hard work paid off. It felt akin to attaining the mark you aimed and worked towards,” he said.

The young scientist cited the visit to Ephesus, believed to be the home of the Apostle John and the Virgin Mary, as the highlight of the trip to Türkiye. He also valued the opportunity to learn about other cultures through food exchanges and cultural performances.

His advice to future participants was to remain committed to improving their projects. “Always keep investing in your project through continuous refinement. Though this may seem exhausting at the time, the long-term benefits of developing scientific skills will pay off later. Always believe that you have what it takes to succeed in your research efforts, even when times are tough.”

The delegation also included Joshua Danilatos, from Graeme College in Makhanda, who won First Place and a Gold medal in Chemistry for his study on temperature effects on catch-and-release fish, and Rorisang Mohau Mohlobuli, from Hoërskool Bloemfontein, who earned Second Place and a Silver medal in Mathematics for research on Goldbach’s Conjecture.

Parthy Chetty, Executive Director, Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, NPO said: “Connor, Joshua and Rorisang’s outstanding achievements at IMSEF show what sustained investment in STEM education and youth development can deliver.

Eskom Expo’s District Expos are currently underway in all provinces across the country. School learners in Grades 4 to 12 and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students NC(V) Level 2-4 can register their research projects by visiting www.exposcience.co.za