First-year students from every South African province will be heading to London for one of the most esteemed youth science forums!
South Africa (22 June 2026) – A group of 22 brilliant young South Africans have been selected to head to London for the 67th London International Youth Science Forum, where they’ll join hundreds of other students from around the world for an unforgettable STEM experience.
The students are part of the NSTF Brilliants Programme, an initiative that recognises top-performing first-year students in science, medicine and engineering.
Every year, the programme celebrates exceptional matriculants who achieved outstanding results in Mathematics and Physical Science in their National Senior Certificate exams.
This year’s cohort is made up of students from across the country, representing schools and universities from all nine provinces!
An incredible opportunity for all 22 students lies ahead as they gear toward the London International Youth Science Forum. The programme is a 14-day residential STEM summer camp hosted at Imperial College London.
Each year, it brings together around 500 students from 90 countries, all between the ages of 16 and 21, for a programme of scientific discovery, collaboration and cultural exchange.
The experience will include lectures from some of the world’s leading scientists, including a Nobel Prize winner, visits to top university departments in the UK, including Oxford and Cambridge, and the chance to present a research project while connecting with fellow future innovators from around the globe.
The selected students are studying a range of disciplines, from medicine and mechatronics engineering to computer science, biodiversity, agriculture and electrical engineering. Together, they paint a bright picture of the future of South African sciences.
Here are the 22 students selected for this incredible opportunity!
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- Osego Erwin JR Lucas – Baitiredi Technical & Commercial HS | BEng Electrical Engineering at UCT (Northern Cape)
- Caitlin Mans – Hoër Volkskool | BSc Biological Sciences with Microbiology and Biochemistry at NWU (North West)
- Temogo Matong – Setswakgosing HS | MBChB at UCT (North West)
- Sandrine Steyn – DF Malan High School | MBChB at Stellenbosch (Western Cape)
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