Unisan Kabelo Pheeha been chosen as one of News24’s 100 young Mandelas of the future (row 9, no 2). In their citation, the News24 team said that they were inspired by his unbelievable efforts to make a difference in the lives of others and his persistence to achieve his dreams against all odds. "You truly embody the spirit of what Tata Madiba stood for and make us all proud to be South Africans with the leadership, creativity, resilience, vision and compassion you show."
Pheeha (30) works at the Unisa Science Campus in Florida. He is a science engagement officer at Inspired towards Science, Engineering, and Technology (I-SET), a community engagement flagship project of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET).
According to his nominator, Patricia M Gouws, who is a senior lecturer in the School of Computing and I-SET coordinator, Pheeha’s passion inspires accessible science through robotics for all. "He presents introductory robotics workshops throughout South Africa with inspiration, and organises and judges at robotics competitions regionally, nationally and internationally! He is inspirationally compelled at all levels to make a difference in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Africa through engineering and the programming of robotics in support of applied STEM where the learners are."
Twenty-nine years ago, on 17 May 1989, while he was incarcerated at Victor Verster Prison, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela graduated in absentia with an LLB from Unisa. The university is celebrating the centenary of the birth of Madiba with pride.
Prof Bhekie Mamba, Executive Dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET), says that Pheeha epitomises the kinds of leader CSET seeks to produce that follow on the footsteps of former President Nelson Mandela. "He is exemplary to young people and academics aspiring to greatness. CSET is proud to have committed cadres such as Kabelo in our midst."
Pheeha facilitates short learning programmes for registered Unisa students on the I-SET module Robotics in Education’ He does mentorship for CSET students in community engagement using robotics to inspire and raise STEM career awareness within communities in South Africa.
As a facilitator and trainer of the Techno Youth Programme at the South African Agency for Science and Technology (SAASTA), he trains science clubs at science centres to use LEGO® robotics as a tool to inspire the learners to pursue STEM careers. In addition, he has been a robotics facilitator for the National Science Week and delivered presentations at the annual South African Science Engagement conferences.
*Compiled by Sharon Farrell
Publish date: 2018-07-12 00:00:00.0