The new Science Center at Hanyani High School officially opened on Monday, September 7, 2026, providing students with practical opportunities to study science, engineering, and technology.
The goal of this center is to expand the capabilities of young minds in the fields of science, engineering, and technology by offering students hands-on learning that sparks their curiosity and motivates them to achieve goals. For example, Lufuno Ndu, who initially planned a career in medicine, decided to focus on becoming a biotechnologist after the center's opening.
The center is the result of a partnership between the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and Barloworld. It aims to equip students with the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence needed to build a career in science, engineering, and technology. The facilities are equipped with microscopes, 3D printing technology, and digital learning resources.
Grade 11 students who had the opportunity to explore the center, experiment, and learn about the new equipment shared their excitement. One student noted: 'This lab makes you want to keep studying science. Now we can do practical things and see results. I want to be more involved in science because there are so many interesting parts to it.'
Lufuno tested her mixing skills in a test tube, and her eyes lit up when the solution turned pink. Previously, since 2014, communities in the Wembe district, including Gqawani, Matatani, and Mbodi, have benefited from transformative projects offering sustainable solutions in energy, water supply, communication, and education, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The student added: 'I am happy because I can see real-life results. Before, I only saw such things on TV and in textbooks. Now I will be able to get even higher grades for my work.'
Her science teacher and department head, Ms. Mbedi, supported this view, stating that the center represents an investment in the education, potential, and future of the students. This center marks another stage in the university's project for transformative social impact, as it addresses critical community infrastructure needs.
This foundational project, which began in 2014, covers several villages, including Gqawani, Matatani, and Mbodi. Residents have significantly benefited from the implementation of sustainable solutions in energy, water supply, communication, education, food security, and healthcare, all aimed at achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Dr. Avatakali Nefalama from the Department of Education in Limpopo called the opening significant for the Wembe district and rural students. He emphasized the value of practical scientific learning compared to simply reading from books and strongly urged responsible use of the center. He warned against misuse or vandalism of the equipment, stating: 'It is not the giver's responsibility to take care of the gift. It is the recipient's responsibility.'
The Science Center is more than just a new educational facility; it reflects a commitment to creating long-term social impact through partnerships that transform communities by expanding access to quality education, innovation, and opportunities.
Wusi Dondolo, General Manager of Barloworld, speaking on behalf of Divisional CEO Androniki Masemoli, noted that UJ's 'Social Impact' type projects demonstrate how knowledge can be transformed into tangible solutions.
He stressed that students thrive when the environment around them allows them to succeed. He stated: 'Sustainable change is never the work of one organization. It is built on trust, shared responsibility, and consistent action.'
The Science Center serves as a practical bridge between theoretical classroom knowledge and the needs of the real industry, preparing students for careers in science, engineering, technology, and related fields. He addressed the students by saying: 'This center belongs to you and your future. Use it fully. Be curious, ask difficult questions, and don't be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and try again. Science advances because people are willing to question what is known and imagine what is possible.'
Vice-Chancellor and UJ Director, Professor Letlokwa Mpedi, highlighted that the center was a partnership-based initiative aimed at providing world-class scientific resources to the local community, uniting the efforts of the university, corporations, and schools. He said: 'Local talent deserves global opportunities,' adding that rapid technological change defines this era.
Professor Mpedi emphasized: 'Technology without a human purpose is sacred. Science reaches its highest level of learning when it transforms communities, solves local problems, and unlocks human potential.'
Addressing the students of Hanyani High School, Professor Mpedi offered encouragement: 'Science is a way of thinking; it is the courage to ask why, the curiosity to ask how, and the determination to ask what if.'
He also urged teachers to continue supporting this initiative, hoping the science center will serve as a beacon of excellence for years to come.
Professor Annah Moteti, Dean of the Faculty of Science at UJ, described the science center as a place of opportunity. She affirmed UJ's commitment to social impact, emphasizing that the true measure of the center would not be the building itself, but the changed lives of the students who pass through it. She stated: 'We are creating a place where youth can encounter science not only through textbooks but also through experiments, discoveries, and practical learning. Ultimately, the sector's true impact will be measured not just by the equipment it contains or the building itself. It will be measured by the lives of students whose lives have been changed by gaining greater access to opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.'
Partners of the UJ 'Social Impact' project, including MNS Attorneys, Schneider Electric, and Container World, were also present at the opening. After the official speeches concluded, students flooded inside to tour the facility. Lufuno remained at her lab station, watching the pink substance settle in the test tube. For her, the science center became an opportunity, a place for discovery, exploration, and dreams.