The Need to Prepare More South African Black Scholars for Engineering Studies

The number of countries that recognise the importance of engineering has grown sharply in recent years. Survival of less developed countries in the next century will undoubtedly depend on sufficient technological personnel. Increase of personnel with technological skills is a prerequisite of economic growth. The low levels of technological and scientific literacy within the population of South Africa and other African countries cause concern. Policy statements made by African countries clearly show a growing awareness of the importance of science and technology, but the declarations need to be transformed into concrete plans. There is a challenge facing South African education departments to provide infrastructure and facilities for schools that will enable them to effectively prepare scholars for studies in engineering and to motivate and interest pupils in technology. This is especially so in previously disadvantaged communities where scholars are not exposed to science and technology in the same way as their counterparts in developed countries. The paper discusses the success that has been achieved by using a mobile exploratorium to bring interest in engineering to schools so that scholars can learn in a very effective way. Scholars are attracted to engineering, they see the need for more engineers, and they are motivated to study engineering at tertiary institutions.