Four South African learners will showcase their research at WISPO 2025 after impressing at an International Science Fair.
Johannesburg, South Africa (10 December 2025) – Four extraordinary young South African scientists are gearing up to represent the country on the global stage as they head to Bali, Indonesia, for the World Innovative Science Project Olympiad (WISPO), taking place from 10 to 13 December 2025. All four earned their place at this prestigious international event after securing Gold medals.
Meet the incredible scientists set to represent the country.
Dzunisa Chauke, a Grade 12 learner from Khanyisa Education Centre in Mopani, will present his project “Synthetic vs Non-Synthetic Voices”. His work responds directly to rising cybersecurity risks created by AI-generated audio. Dzunisa designed a fast, offline voice-classification system that can accurately distinguish real human voices from synthetic.
Representing Curro Durbanville, Grade 11 learner Milla Vorster will showcase “The Organic Palette: Bioprinting Vascularized Organs”. Her research delves into one of regenerative medicine’s biggest challenges. The judging panel commended her rigorous experimentation and ability to think beyond conventional biomedical approaches.
From Greenside High School in Johannesburg, Grade 11 innovator Ismaail (Miles) Hassen will present his project, “Design and Evaluation of Walk-Man: A Wearable Assistive Device for Enhanced Navigation in Individuals with Visual Impairment.” Miles developed a compact, affordable device offering real-time obstacle detection, GPS functionality, and tactile or audio feedback.
Grade 10 learner Albertus Willem (Wium) van Niekerk from Paul Roos Gymnasium heads to Bali with his project “In vitro growth inhibition of Penicillium digitatum by lavender oil.” He investigated whether lavender essential oil could be used as a natural alternative to chemical fungi in citrus production. This is a major step toward more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
This year’s WISPO brings together leading young minds from around the world, offering them a platform to share their research, engage with industry experts, and broaden their scientific horizons.
As these four young scientists reflect the power of curiosity, the remind us that innovation comes with a single question and grows when given an opportunity to explore.
by 