Pretoria, Gauteng — Two Grade 8 learners from Gauteng North are preparing to represent South Africa on the international stage after achieving a groundbreaking milestone in the country’s science fair history.
Johan Vorster of Pretoria Boys High School and Gustav Heesen of Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool have been selected to compete at the prestigious Genius Olympiad in Rochester, New York, following a remarkable rise through South Africa’s science competition circuit.
Making History in South African Science
The pair first drew national attention in 2025 when, as Grade 7 learners, they became the first students of their age group ever to win the Overall Title at the Gauteng North Imbewu Science Fair, competing against and outperforming older learners across multiple grades.
Their award-winning project focused on an accessible, AI-driven solution designed to support teachers managing overcrowded classrooms.
“Both boys were fascinated by the rise of AI and tools like ChatGPT, and had already started experimenting with coding during a previous expo project,” the family shared. “Gustav is exposed to a lot of conversations around technology and innovation at home, while Johan has insight into the real challenges faced by teachers, especially in rural areas, through his mother’s work in education. Their excitement about new technology and their desire to make a meaningful impact eventually came together in one project.”
Their achievement marked a historic moment for the competition and highlighted the growing potential of young South African innovators.
A Passion for Innovation at a Young Age
Johan and Gustav’s interest in science and innovation began long before their award-winning project.
“Johan and Gustav were in the same class and naturally challenged each other to think differently and find better, faster ways of doing things,” the family explained. “Gustav has always had a strong interest in science, watching science shows from a young age and doing backyard experiments with his dad. Their shared curiosity and competitive spirit helped fuel their passion for innovation.”
The pair say becoming the first Grade 7 learners to win the Gauteng North Imbewu Science Fair overall title was an emotional moment.
“There were a lot of tears, we are still in disbelief,” they shared. “We worked incredibly hard on the project, putting in long hours over weekends and evenings. Winning showed us that age doesn’t matter when you are willing to put in the effort and believe in what you’re building.”
From National Recognition to the Global Stage
Their success continued into 2026, when they competed at the South African Youth Environmental and Science Symposium (SAYESS), earning the title of Second Runner-Up nationally. That performance secured them an invitation to represent South Africa and the Imbewu Science Fair at the Genius Olympiad, one of the world’s leading international competitions for high school science and innovation.
For Johan and Gustav, the opportunity represents far more than travel.
“For us, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” they said. “We are incredibly proud to represent South Africa and to show that young South African scientists can compete on a global stage.”
The Olympiad will bring together some of the brightest young scientific minds from around the world, creating opportunities to exchange ideas, learn from global peers, and showcase South African innovation internationally.
“They are very excited to see the incredible ideas and projects from learners around the world,” the family added. “They hope to learn from others, gain new perspectives, and bring back inspiration to share with their friends and peers, encouraging them to pursue their own ideas seriously.”
Building Solutions for South African Schools
Beyond the competition itself, the boys hope their innovation can eventually make a real difference in South African classrooms.
“They are working towards developing a mobile-friendly app that can help teachers save time by automating tasks like marking tests and exams,” the family explained. “This would allow teachers to focus more on teaching.”
The long-term goal is to create accessible tools that help educators identify learning gaps early and support learners more effectively.
“They also hope their solution will help identify learning gaps early, giving learners more support and helping them reach their full potential, and ultimately showing that learners can achieve more than expected.”
Community Support Needed
While the invitation to compete internationally is a major honour, the cost of international travel remains a significant challenge. Flights, accommodation, registration fees, visas, travel insurance, and transport costs still need to be covered to ensure the boys can take up this opportunity.
If you are unable to donate, sharing their story can help reach others who can.
To support Johan Vorster and Gustav Heesen, visit their BackaBuddy campaign page here.
