Durban STEM hub aims to empower girls
Updated Aug. 6, 2026, 10:24 a.m. | By Lauren Hendricks A Science Centre of Excellence has opened in KwaMashu, north of Durban, to give learners greater…
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Updated Aug. 6, 2026, 10:24 a.m. | By Lauren Hendricks
A Science Centre of Excellence has opened in KwaMashu, north of Durban, to give learners greater access to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. The facility will serve schools in KwaMashu, Inanda and Ntuzuma while encouraging more girls to pursue careers in science and technology.
A refurbished science hub has opened its doors in the north of Durban to encourage more girls to pursue a STEM career.
The new Science Centre of Excellence is situated at the Ink Learning Centre in KwaMashu.
The centre was restored by non-profit PROTEC STEM, working with SLG.
Laboratory manager Lukas Duli says the hub will serve learners from the KwaMashu, Inanda and Ntuzuma areas where most schools do not have proper science labs.
"It's a direct investment in the future of South Africa because every learner deserves an opportunity really to experience the science through inquiry and discovery. So [the] existence of that laboratory [is within the radius] wherein the schools do not have laboratories."
Girls encouraged to pursue STEM careers
The centre will provide hands-on learning in science, technology and robotics, while helping learners develop critical thinking, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Duli says the facility is also an opportunity to break down gender barriers in STEM.
" There is no measure as to how far the person can go in science field, whether a girl or a boy. If you look into the recent matric results, you will see that the girls are always in the top ten. Obviously then it means they've even a greater opportunity to be able to venture without fear that they are maybe less qualified than boys, but they're equally capable as girls, and they can achieve almost anything."
He says that girls continue to excel academically and should be encouraged to pursue science-related careers without hesitation.
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