Meet Kogie Govender, SAEON’s new science engagement coordinator

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Kogie’s research interests are air quality and climate change

Kogie Govender joined SAEON on 1 August this year to head up SAEON’s Science Engagement portfolio.

SAEON eNews caught up with this passionate environmental science educator during her first whirlwind weeks exploring her new territory to ask her the following questions:

How did your love for science begin?

It was infused at a young age by my brother, who always dismantled the few toys we owned so that we could investigate the mechanism of the toys. We then graduated to reading and performing our very own experiments outdoors. The most exciting experiment of all was when we created our own fireworks. This sparked my interest in physics and chemistry, which led me to becoming a science educator.

Why did you change direction?

After completing my BSc Hons at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), I registered for some electives in environmental education and environmental management. I became deeply aware of the fact that education that promotes well-being of people through the generation of profit at the expense of the planet is dangerous, as we are destroying our future.

This became my turning point and I took up a vocation as an environmental specialist. My job for the past 12 years entailed managing the education centre and the programmes implemented at the centre. Other activities included conceptualising environmental science programmes and projects, monitoring and evaluating environmental science programmes, as well as developing and sustaining partnerships to fund environmental science programmes. My new-found interest in environmental science led me to pursue an MSc in environmental science at Wits.

Kogie Govender, SAEON’s environmental science engagement coordinator, is passionate about creating a new generation of innovative environmental scientists

For me it is crucial to bring a business perspective to enhance one’s work, even though it is not profit-driven in terms of monetary value. This sparked a desire in me to register for a business qualification, which ended up being the Management Advance Programme (MAP) at Wits Business School. The skills that I have gained through this qualification have assisted me in introspecting my practice in managing environmental science programmes and adopting a more holistic approach.

Where to next, and why?

SAEON’s environmental science engagement programmes are unique because the environment is used as a tool to activate all senses of the beneficiaries that we target through exploration, discovery and scientific adventure.

The dawn of democracy in South Africa brought much hope to many citizens, but although we have experienced 23 years of democracy, there is still inequalities in education and this is visible when we conduct programmes and projects in schools. Through environmental science engagement programmes at SAEON, we are creating a new generation of innovative environmental scientists. My greatest passion is investing in educator and learner development in environmental science engagement.

I have registered for my PhD in Environmental Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in the field of atmospheric chemistry. My research interests are air quality and climate change.