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SAEON salutes outgoing science education stalwart
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It is with mixed feelings that we bid Sibongile Mokoena goodbye and at the same time celebrate her career as coordinator of SAEON’s Education-Outreach Programme.
The characterful Sibongile is widely known for her passion for science education and her creative expression of that passion, both as hands-on teacher and main strategist of the programme. Sibongile’s animated presentations held many an audience captive, from primary school children to postgraduate students.
As one of our first recruits she carried the can for SAEON in many ways in those early years when we still had no science to show but were able to rapidly establish a science-education programme in rural schools. With meticulous planning Sibongile managed to grow the programme on a very limited budget. Through her sterling efforts SAEON was able to demonstrate its commitment to the delivery of public value right from the start and this helped us to garner the political support that SAEON needed to survive in its initial stages.
Over the years, Sibongile and her team strengthened the science curricula of selected schools by offering practical experience in the scientific method through hands-on schoolyard monitoring projects and science camps. One of her final achievements is the development of a tracking system through which SAEON is able to gauge the impact of our Education-Outreach Programme on the schools that we involve.
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In the SAEON e-News archive there is a rich plethora of articles highlighting the efforts and successes of the programme which Sibongile has led for the past 13 years. All the while she has been ably supported by a team of experts from the education community reviewing and offering advice on the programme’s implementation.
Sibongile is rightfully proud of the many SAEON Education-Outreach alumni who have achieved university degrees. In addition, she has mentored a number of DST-NRF interns who have gone on to occupy professional positions or have returned to university for postgraduate studies. Her flourishing team of education-outreach officers are energetically pursuing the objectives of the programme.
We congratulate Sibongile on finalising her career on this high note after many years of hard and capable work. We wish her, SAEON’s first ever retiree, a happy retirement, secure in the knowledge that she has made a significantly positive contribution to transformation in the National System of Innovation and the lives of all the people she engaged with during her career.
Tributes from Sibongile’s team of education officers
During eleven years of working with Sibongile I have seen her in action as a passionate teacher at heart, a resolute mentor and a very skilled storyteller. I observed her pioneering and visionary spirit rise above the obstacles encountered in setting up the first SAEON science education programme in Phalaborwa.
Her passion for education and ‘soft spot’ for children (learners) were evident in everything she did. Occasionally, emotion would overtake her when learners shared their science expedition experiences and she would shed a tear or two. I would know what the tears signified: ‘Mission accomplished; well done child’.
She demonstrated ‘great heart’ leadership style. Successively, she was able to apply analytical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual principles to resolve conflicts. It is this aptitude that enabled her to recognise and accept our personal competencies and challenges and to give us time and space to blossom in our respective personal spaces.
She was open to the team’s ideas and suggestions in relation to organisational matters. Her unprejudiced attitude has provided a doorway to interacting with people from all walks of life. This is a source of inspiration from which she draws strength. Her motherly compassion and resolute mentoring spirit transcended beyond the confines of formal hours through to the homes of our families.
Joe Sibyia, SAEON Ndlovu Node
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I first got to know Sibongile before I was appointed at SAEON. We attended a Marine and Coastal Educators Network Conference in KwaZulu-Natal early in January 2007 where Sibongile delivered a case for SAEON’s Education-Outreach Programme which brought a new perspective to outreach unknown to me at the time.
At a conference that was very pro ‘environmental education’, she argued that there was a difference between Environmental Education and Environmental Science Education. This aspect of the SAEON programme is second to none for it speaks to the popular concerns of quality and quantity often argued about, in the Education sector in particular.
I applied for a position as science education officer at SAEON, which meant that I was going to work alongside a team in a programme that Sibongile was coordinating. From day one the two of us had a wonderfully productive working relationship underscored by great mutual support as I learned the SAEON way and as far as my contribution to the programme vision is concerned.
Sibongile, you can rest assured that your team will continue to appreciate your contribution and guidance.
Thomas Mtonsi, SAEON Egagasini Node
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This is to thank you for setting up and running the SAEON education programme for the past 13 years. The programme achieved greatness because you shaped the model with such care and diligence.
You were the SAEON education brand ambassador that brought light and let others shine. Your dedication and enthusiasm in the programme was truly inspiring. We wish you a well-deserved rest, knowing that your heart is still with us.
Happy retirement MaSibo!
Nozipiwo Hambaze, SAEON Elwandle Node
It is with regret that we say goodbye to our Mama Sibongile Mokoena. In the years that I have known her, she never turned down an invitation to assist in encouraging and motivating the future scientists of the arid lands. She has shared her work experience with groups of all ages and has always been quick to help any learner interested in environmental sciences.
Her dedication to SAEON’s Education-Outreach Programme did not only touch those close to her, but also those learners outside her immediate circle. Through her involvement and passion many young aspiring scientists have been introduced to the Robert Bird Games, which she loved playing with the youngsters during science awareness platform events. In at least one instance this resulted in a passion - one learner from Emang Mmogo Comprehensive School in the Arid Lands has developed a love for birds and wants to become an ornithologist. Sibongile helped learners and some team members develop a love for bird games which we will continue to embrace.
SAEON’s annual Education Symposiums provided another platform for her to demonstrate and share her passion for science education with the communities surrounding the SAEON nodes.
We will surely miss her in the science education arena.
Omphile Khutsoane, SAEON Arid Lands Node
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Tributes from SAEON staff members
This day for me is marked with a mixture of sadness and joy. It is a long journey that Sibo and I have travelled together since her joining SAEON early in 2004. She became more than a colleague to me - she is my sister, mother, mentor and a granny to my kids. Our relationship grew to a point where we shared everything, including family challenges and developments. I am one person who will dearly miss her although I will have the opportunity to visit her during her retirement.
Eva Mudau, SAEON Office Coordinator
Since the beginning of SAEON, Sibongile inspired SAEON team members to inspire learners with lasting effects. This helped shape SAEON.
Thinking of Sibongile is a continued reminder that education is an engagement with the future where every tiny success, even in the midst of seemingly unsurmountable odds, is an irreplaceable way forwards. In this way, she not only spearheaded moving learners closer towards science through creative thinking and equipping them with the better ability to affect their own future, but, in her way, also did so for SAEON as a whole.
Joh Henschel, Manager: SAEON Arid Lands Node
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Tributes from SAEON associates
I met Sibongile shortly after the National Zoo (NZG) joined the National Research Foundation. Right from the beginning she impressed me as a professional, well-spoken and friendly person and this impression was reconfirmed during subsequent meetings.
Sibongile’s presentations on work done reflected a high level of planning and great implementation skills, achieving a lot in spite of numerous limitations. SAEON and the NZG cooperated in a number of projects, especially involving the ZooClub and National Science Week. It was a pleasure to work with her.
I wish Sibongile all the best during her retirement. Retirement, after all, is a time of new adventures!
Ulrich Oberprieler, Manager: Conservation Education & Public Engagement in Science, National Zoological Gardens of South Africa
Tribute from DST/NRF intern
I had the privilege of serving with Ms Sibongile Mokoena during the Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation internship intake 2010/11. Working with her as my mentor for one year was the best thing that has ever happened to me and I cannot underestimate the influence she has had on me.
I've always admired her passion, dedication and commitment to her work. I regard her as a profound strategist, a competent manager, a great visionary and a leader of international standing. If you did not perform to the standards required, she would deal with you very strongly in raising her dissatisfaction but in a very professional and constructive manner.
After I left SAEON I managed to secure a managerial post in the Department of Defence. Ms Mokoena continued to be there for me in the position that I'm currently occupying.
Ms Mokoena leaves behind a legacy that I will cherish forever.
Rendani Doizen Khashane
