Nonhlanhla Mokoena grew up in a large, poor family in South Africa. She became pregnant at a young age but her grandmother supported her to continue her education. After failing her matric exams twice, she persisted and graduated with the help of mentors. She went on to earn degrees in teaching, physics, and materials science. She now works as a nuclear physicist at Koeberg Nuclear Power Station, helping to ensure safety and managing the nuclear fuel cycle. Her career highlights the importance of perseverance, mentors, and continuing education.

1. THE BIRTH OF A NUCLEARTHE BIRTH OF A NUCLEAR
PHYSICISTPHYSICIST
So, this is what aSo, this is what a
nuclear physicistnuclear physicist
(new-clear fizz-assist)(new-clear fizz-assist)
looks like!looks like!
Please meet,Please meet,
Nonhlanhla MokoenaNonhlanhla Mokoena
Koeberg Nuclear PowerKoeberg Nuclear Power
StationStation

2. The unlikely start toThe unlikely start to
my brilliant careermy brilliant career
 I was born KwaZulu-Natal,I was born KwaZulu-Natal,
in Durban, Umlazi township.in Durban, Umlazi township.
 I'm the last born of myI'm the last born of my
mother's three daughtersmother's three daughters
but on my father's side, I ambut on my father's side, I am
the second of about 20the second of about 20
children.children.
 I was very young when myI was very young when my
mother Bekisiwe divorcedmother Bekisiwe divorced
her first husband and beganher first husband and began
a relationship with mya relationship with my
father, Khohlwa Dladla.father, Khohlwa Dladla.
Above left: Busisiwe (MaBu), the first born,bottom
left: Sizakele (Nana), Left: Nonhlanhla at the age of
13

3. Ngingubani?Ngingubani?
Who am I?Who am I?
 My grandmother, Khonzaphi Mokoena, wasMy grandmother, Khonzaphi Mokoena, was
uneducated but had a great impact on myuneducated but had a great impact on my
life.life.
 She raised +/- 25 people (three generations)She raised +/- 25 people (three generations)
under one roof, with the help of herunder one roof, with the help of her
husband, who worked at Defy. He diedhusband, who worked at Defy. He died
when I was 12years old.when I was 12years old.
 We were so poor that I lived in second-handWe were so poor that I lived in second-hand
clothes, and was allowed new clothes onceclothes, and was allowed new clothes once
a year, at Christmasa year, at Christmas
 We had a plot, and a plough, and we grewWe had a plot, and a plough, and we grew
almost all our own food (mealies for sampalmost all our own food (mealies for samp
and bread, sweet potatoes) in the second-and bread, sweet potatoes) in the second-
biggest township in South Africabiggest township in South Africa

4. Ngikhuliswe ugogoNgikhuliswe ugogo
Raised by grannyRaised by granny
 Ngathola umntwana (I fellNgathola umntwana (I fell
pregnant in 1989), ngimncanepregnant in 1989), ngimncane
kakhulu (I was 15 years old).kakhulu (I was 15 years old).
 My grandmother still trustedMy grandmother still trusted
and believed in me. After myand believed in me. After my
son Simphiwe was born, sheson Simphiwe was born, she
took me back to school thetook me back to school the
following year (Standard 8 =following year (Standard 8 =
Grade 10).Grade 10).
 The father, Lucky Zwane,The father, Lucky Zwane,
worked in a garage and wasworked in a garage and was
not supportive.not supportive.
Before
and
after
the
baby
was
born

5. Surviving MatricSurviving Matric
 Failed matric 1992Failed matric 1992
 Wrote matricWrote matric
supplementary 1993supplementary 1993
during riotsduring riots
 Failed againFailed again
 I just asked myself “Is thisI just asked myself “Is this
what I'm looking for? Iswhat I'm looking for? Is
this it?”this it?”
 Went back to grade 11 inWent back to grade 11 in
1994, the year of our first1994, the year of our first
democratic electionsdemocratic elections
 Got matric with exemptionGot matric with exemption
in 1995in 1995
I had to move to a different high
school to do grade 11 the
second time around

6. Still surviving MatricStill surviving Matric
 When I failed my matricWhen I failed my matric
supplementary exams, Isupplementary exams, I
thought of my goalsthought of my goals
 August 1993, I decided to goAugust 1993, I decided to go
back to schoolback to school
 But my grandmother, theBut my grandmother, the
only breadwinneronly breadwinner in thein the
household (with herhousehold (with her
pension), died in Decemberpension), died in December
1993. I nearly dropped out.1993. I nearly dropped out.
Umlazi, overlooking Durban
airport, and a school in
Umlazi

7. Mentors got me through matricMentors got me through matric
 First mentor: mathematicsFirst mentor: mathematics
teacher Miss Lulu Pitso, gradeteacher Miss Lulu Pitso, grade
11, my first try at matric11, my first try at matric
(Kwazini high school), told me(Kwazini high school), told me
about teacher trainingabout teacher training
opportunities, she's still in myopportunities, she's still in my
life todaylife today
 Second mentor: scienceSecond mentor: science
teacher Mrs Tiny Cele (Dlokoteacher Mrs Tiny Cele (Dloko
high school)high school)
 Third mentor: teacher MrsThird mentor: teacher Mrs
Zandile Mtshali (Dloko highZandile Mtshali (Dloko high
school), who is like a mother toschool), who is like a mother to
me until todayme until today
I invited my eldest sister
Busisiwe and my high school
teacher Zandile Mtshali and my
son Simphiwe (then age 14) to
my first graduation at the
University of Zululand

8. Matric is just the beginning...Matric is just the beginning...
 1996: 3-year teaching diploma at1996: 3-year teaching diploma at
KwaGqikazi college of education inKwaGqikazi college of education in
Nongoma, KZN, in mathematicsNongoma, KZN, in mathematics
and physical science,and physical science,
 1998: On the first day of final-year1998: On the first day of final-year
exams that my mother had died. Myexams that my mother had died. My
mother had been stopped frommother had been stopped from
working because of heart problemsworking because of heart problems
but couldn't get a disability grantbut couldn't get a disability grant
because Home Affairs had alreadybecause Home Affairs had already
classified her as dead.classified her as dead.
 I wrote all the exams, went homeI wrote all the exams, went home
with donation from college andwith donation from college and
begged for money to bury her.begged for money to bury her.
 1998: got my teacher's diploma!1998: got my teacher's diploma!
 I only taught (as a temporary
teacher) for one month but I have
used these skills all my subsequent
life, so it was not a waste of time.
These are students from Harry Gwala high
school in Khayelitsha at the SAWISE (South
African Women in Science and Engineering)
2007 women's day event at Iziko museums in
Cape Town.

9. The end of the road?The end of the road?
1999: government1999: government
restructuring - freezing ofrestructuring - freezing of
teaching poststeaching posts
Adult Basic EducationAdult Basic Education
Training (ABET)Training (ABET)
certificate to teach grown-certificate to teach grown-
ups, not kidsups, not kids
After all, millions of adultAfter all, millions of adult
South Africans can't readSouth Africans can't read
or write or count.or write or count.

10. Investing in yourself...Investing in yourself...
 2000 - 2003: Bachelor of Science2000 - 2003: Bachelor of Science
degree (Industrial Science) at thedegree (Industrial Science) at the
University of ZululandUniversity of Zululand
 2004: Bachelor of Science Honours2004: Bachelor of Science Honours
degree (Physics) at the same varsity,degree (Physics) at the same varsity,
using a materials science programmeusing a materials science programme
established by Prof. OM Ndwandweestablished by Prof. OM Ndwandwe
who knew I didn't yet have a jobwho knew I didn't yet have a job
 2005: registered for a full-time2005: registered for a full-time
Master's degree in materials science,Master's degree in materials science,
a collaboration between thea collaboration between the
universities of Zululand (inuniversities of Zululand (in
Empangeni) and the Western CapeEmpangeni) and the Western Cape
(in Bellville) and iThemba Laboratories(in Bellville) and iThemba Laboratories
for Accelerator Based Sciencesfor Accelerator Based Sciences
(LABS) off the N2 freeway in the(LABS) off the N2 freeway in the
Western Cape.Western Cape.
I'm waiting for the results
of the external
examiners regarding my
master's submission. If
all goes well, I hope to
graduate in May or
September. And then?

11. Why did I do physics?Why did I do physics?
 physics answers thephysics answers the
question ''why?''question ''why?''
 lots of variety in yourlots of variety in your
studiesstudies
 lots of different careerslots of different careers
 lots of team worklots of team work
 can earn while you learn,can earn while you learn,
tutoringtutoring
 very practicalvery practical
Work while you learn: building a
better crane for a construction
company, top; experimenting with
superconductivity, below.

12. ''Physicists are not dreamers. They are''Physicists are not dreamers. They are
the people needed for our country tothe people needed for our country to
transform''transform''
 are you optimistic?are you optimistic?
 are you social and outgoing?are you social and outgoing?
 are you flexible?are you flexible?
 are you faithful?are you faithful?
 can you persevere?can you persevere?
 let your talent work for you:let your talent work for you:
cook, do hairdressing, draw, tocook, do hairdressing, draw, to
raise funds while studyingraise funds while studying
(especially if you have to send(especially if you have to send
money home for the baby!)money home for the baby!)
 ngiyamthanda uJehovangiyamthanda uJehova
ongenzela konke (the Lord isongenzela konke (the Lord is
the pillar of my strength)the pillar of my strength)
I like children and cooking, and got
paid for feeding the kids at a creche
with my cousin Thandeka

13. Anyone can get into universityAnyone can get into university
 university leveluniversity level
 studying physical sciencestudying physical science
and mathematics at highand mathematics at high
school opens the doors toschool opens the doors to
a wide range of studya wide range of study
optionsoptions
 there are many bursariesthere are many bursaries
(loans) available and(loans) available and
sometimes you don't havesometimes you don't have
to repay all of it if youto repay all of it if you
pass in record timepass in record time
 colleges of educationcolleges of education
 lots of jobs for teachers inlots of jobs for teachers in
maths and physicalmaths and physical
sciencescience
 bursaries availablebursaries available

14. About my companyAbout my company
• Nuclear Physicist- Koeberg
Nuclear Power station
• My experience
• Lessons Learnt
• Why koeberg?
– Koeberg Nuclear Power
Reactor, 30 kilometres
Northwest of Cape Town
– Supplies more than 5% of
South Africas total energy
needs
• Story behind nuclear Power
• Nuclear vs coal

15. Koeberg nuclear power station,Koeberg nuclear power station,
Western CapeWestern Cape
• I work at the only nuclear
power station in Africa
(although Egypt is planning
three).
• Koeberg has the biggest
turbines in the southern
hemisphere. (A turbine is an
engine with blades – early
examples are windmills and
waterwheels and steam train
engines.)
• Koeberg is further south
than any other nuclear
power plant in the world.

16. What does a nuclear physicistWhat does a nuclear physicist
do?do?
 Ensure the safety of the reactor. SouthEnsure the safety of the reactor. South
Africa has never had a nuclear accidentAfrica has never had a nuclear accident
 Manage the economy of the fuel cycleManage the economy of the fuel cycle
through an ''optimized fuel managementthrough an ''optimized fuel management
strategy'' – a long way of saying that westrategy'' – a long way of saying that we
test that the imported uranium fuel rodstest that the imported uranium fuel rods
are in order. To do this we useare in order. To do this we use
mathematics!mathematics!
 Assess and manage the conditions inAssess and manage the conditions in
the core to ensure that its stablethe core to ensure that its stable

17. Some of the stuff I do at workSome of the stuff I do at work
 I count neutrons.I count neutrons.
 Support the operators of theSupport the operators of the
nuclear power plant duringnuclear power plant during
shut down and start up toshut down and start up to
ensure safety.ensure safety.
 Ensure we abide by the rulesEnsure we abide by the rules
of the International Atomicof the International Atomic
Energy Agency (IAEA), whichEnergy Agency (IAEA), which
monitors all nuclear activities inmonitors all nuclear activities in
the worldthe world

18. All electricity has to be made.All electricity has to be made.
No electricity is 'natural'.No electricity is 'natural'.
• Power is generated through various
sources e.g thermal, wind, solar power
etc.
• Thermal Power
– Coal, oil, gas and nuclear fuels can be used
to heat water and convert it into steam at high
temperatures and pressures. This is done in
boilers or reactors. The very hot steam, at
temperatures of between 500° C and 535°C,
is released and turns a large turbine,
connected to the rotating magnet and
electricity is generated
• Wind Power
– The only difference is the introduction of an
electricity generator. The movement of air is
used to propel blades.
– These blades then turn in the wind and along
with it an axle that is attached at the centre of
the blades.
– The axle caries over the energy to a gearbox
and finally to the generator where the
electricity is generated.
• Solar Power
– The success of solar cells, which convert
sunlight directly into electricity
Solar PowerCoal Power
Wind Power Storage Power

19. An average day at a pressurisedAn average day at a pressurised
water reactor like Koebergwater reactor like Koeberg
 Suck up water from the ocean and
push it through the reactor core,
where the nuclear reactions take
place
 Lots of very hot steam is
produced
 The steam is piped to the two
turbines
 The turbines produce electricity
and send it along the Eskom grid
to here
 The leftover steam is converted
back to water and re-used.
 This process is repeated every day
for 18 months.

20. This is how we light up theThis is how we light up the
societysociety

21. The magic ingredient: uraniumThe magic ingredient: uranium

22. Uranium - the fuel for a nuclearUranium - the fuel for a nuclear
reactorreactor
 Uranium is mined - it is aUranium is mined - it is a
naturally-occurring silvery-graynaturally-occurring silvery-gray
metal found in rocks, soil andmetal found in rocks, soil and
water.water.
 Uranium is mined in Africa (it is aUranium is mined in Africa (it is a
by-product of gold mining).by-product of gold mining).
 Processed into pellets in the USAProcessed into pellets in the USA
and France and sold back to us –and France and sold back to us –
Why? Lack of skills.Why? Lack of skills.
 Uranium is unique: under the rightUranium is unique: under the right
conditions (natural or man made)conditions (natural or man made)
it generates heat.it generates heat.
Uranium, above, made
into pellets, below.

23. A safe and sustainable nuclearA safe and sustainable nuclear
chain reactionchain reaction
 Pellets of uranium are stackedPellets of uranium are stacked
and sealed in pencil-thinand sealed in pencil-thin nuclearnuclear
fuel rodsfuel rods , each about two metres, each about two metres
long.long.
 Hundreds of these uranium rodsHundreds of these uranium rods
or tubes are bundled together.or tubes are bundled together.
The bundles are calledThe bundles are called fuelfuel
assembliesassemblies ..
 If you slowly bombard these rodsIf you slowly bombard these rods
with neutrons, the uraniumwith neutrons, the uranium
releases energy the result -releases energy the result - aa
nuclear chain reaction.nuclear chain reaction.
 The heat makes steam, the steamThe heat makes steam, the steam
turns the turbine, the turbinesturns the turbine, the turbines
convert the steam into electricityconvert the steam into electricity

24. Electricity supplier to the cityElectricity supplier to the city

25. Nuclear power uses the hidden
power inside of the atom
• You are made up of tiny atoms, too
small to be seen with your eyes
• Uranium is made of atoms as well
• Inside the atom you’ll find: a cloud of
electrons which revolves around a
core of protons and neutron
• So small –but used in the right way,
and very powerful!!

26. A smart way to make heat -A smart way to make heat -
Nuclear FissionNuclear Fission
 The drawing showsThe drawing shows
neutrons inside a uraniumneutrons inside a uranium
atom splitting andatom splitting and
multiplying, and that's whatmultiplying, and that's what
generates our power: wegenerates our power: we
harness the power of theharness the power of the
atomatom

27. Don't jump into the fuel poolDon't jump into the fuel pool
• This is a deep pool with storage
racks for holding the used
uranium fuel assemblies.
• A quarter to a third of the fuel
assemblies are used up and
replaced every year and a half.
• The uranium fuel rods are stored
in the pool for a long time while
they cool down and to allow for
the radiation levels to go down.
• In a decade, about 95% of the
radiation has gone.

28. Receiving and inspectingReceiving and inspecting
Koeberg's nuclear wasteKoeberg's nuclear waste
• 500 steel drums and 100 concrete
drums of nuclear waste a year are
sent 600 kilometres north of Cape
Tawn to Vaalputs, in the Northern
Cape,
• This region is so dry, evaporation
is greater than rainfall.
• If radioactivity did escape from a
leaking drum, it couldn't
contaminate groundwater.

29. Offloading nuclear waste inOffloading nuclear waste in
Vaalputs in NamaqualandVaalputs in Namaqualand

30. Hardly anyone lives near here,Hardly anyone lives near here,
aside from some sheep*aside from some sheep*
This is the Kalahari desert. Outside Vaalputs, the average is one
sheep every nine hectares. Only a handful of people live within 50
kilometres – and Vaalputs is 1000 hectares big!

31. What do you want to do with yourWhat do you want to do with your
life?life?
 QualificationsQualifications
 Knowledge is something that can'tKnowledge is something that can't
be taken away from yoube taken away from you
 ChallengesChallenges
 LifeLife
 EducationEducation
 What do you want to achieveWhat do you want to achieve
 Winning certificates and awardsWinning certificates and awards
as best student?as best student?
 Buying a new car?Buying a new car?
 Owning your own flat andOwning your own flat and
furnishing it?furnishing it?
 Assisting your nephews and niece,Assisting your nephews and niece,
brothers and sisters, cousins tobrothers and sisters, cousins to
reach their goals?reach their goals?
 Help build a better South Africa?Help build a better South Africa?
 Be independent and not have toBe independent and not have to
ask anyone else for money?ask anyone else for money?

32. Physics comes in useful in manyPhysics comes in useful in many
careers, in many placescareers, in many places
 Computer scienceComputer science
 robots, iPods, cellphones, garage doorrobots, iPods, cellphones, garage door
openers, BMWs, computer games, theopeners, BMWs, computer games, the
Internet, YouTube: all use basic principlesInternet, YouTube: all use basic principles
of physics to workof physics to work
 Pass the knowledge onPass the knowledge on
 lecturer, teacher, problem-solverlecturer, teacher, problem-solver
 MilitaryMilitary
 researcher, technician, scientific advisor,researcher, technician, scientific advisor,
weapons designerweapons designer
 Space and earth scienceSpace and earth science
 Everything from the bottom of the ocean toEverything from the bottom of the ocean to
the furthest star, and everything about ourthe furthest star, and everything about our
own planet, relies on physics. If we want toown planet, relies on physics. If we want to
understand our neighbourhood in this solarunderstand our neighbourhood in this solar
system, we need physics.system, we need physics.

33. Don't get sidetrackedDon't get sidetracked
 Perseverance is thePerseverance is the
mother of successmother of success
 Don’t be satisfied if you’reDon’t be satisfied if you’re
suffering, set your goals,suffering, set your goals,
work hard, work smartwork hard, work smart
 Ask the dumb question:Ask the dumb question:
it's better to be a stupidit's better to be a stupid
for five minutes ratherfor five minutes rather
than the rest of your lifethan the rest of your life
 Be inquisitive, ask lots ofBe inquisitive, ask lots of
questionsquestions
 Think of solutions, not ''IThink of solutions, not ''I
can't''can't''

34. Lots to study -IzifundoLots to study -Izifundo
 GeophysicsGeophysics: understand the earth: understand the earth
 Nuclear physicsNuclear physics: power to the: power to the
peoplepeople
 Medical physicsMedical physics: saves lives: saves lives
 Atomic physicsAtomic physics: peek inside the: peek inside the
atomatom
 Solid-state (materials science)Solid-state (materials science)
physicsphysics:: the study of stuff – hardthe study of stuff – hard
things, soft things, dry things, wetthings, soft things, dry things, wet
things.things.
 Particle physicsParticle physics : study matter at the: study matter at the
very smallest scale, fundamentalvery smallest scale, fundamental
particles that make up everything inparticles that make up everything in
the universe, from stars to starfishthe universe, from stars to starfish
 Aerodynamics:Aerodynamics: go fly a kite (or ago fly a kite (or a
plane)plane)
 Astrophysics:Astrophysics: the birth of thethe birth of the
universeuniverse
 Biophysics:Biophysics: how the environmenthow the environment
worksworks

35. Failure + perseverance = successFailure + perseverance = success
 Have a dream and mission to fulfillHave a dream and mission to fulfill
 Set your goals, noma kumnyamaSet your goals, noma kumnyama
ekuseni lizophuma ilangaekuseni lizophuma ilanga
 Consider more than one careerConsider more than one career
 Be yourself, musa ukuphila impiloBe yourself, musa ukuphila impilo
ekungesiyo eyakhoekungesiyo eyakho
 Be a good listenerBe a good listener
 Leave a good mark wherever you go,Leave a good mark wherever you go,
excel in lifeexcel in life
 Don’t allow any circumstances toDon’t allow any circumstances to
become a barrier, think about thebecome a barrier, think about the
solutionsolution
 Respect yourself and othersRespect yourself and others
 Funda ukuzimela ngokwakhoFunda ukuzimela ngokwakho
 FAIL – First Action In Learning (PastorFAIL – First Action In Learning (Pastor
Mathole, Johannesburg)Mathole, Johannesburg)
 Enjoy your youth but be careful whatEnjoy your youth but be careful what
you are doingyou are doing
 Ngaphambi kukuba wenze noma yiniNgaphambi kukuba wenze noma yini
cabanga imiphumelo yaleyontocabanga imiphumelo yaleyonto
 ““Anyone who has never made aAnyone who has never made a
mistake has never tried anything new”mistake has never tried anything new”
((Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein))

36. Physics can answer all yourPhysics can answer all your
questions, even if I can't!questions, even if I can't!
Contact numbers:Contact numbers:
Koeberg visitor's centre (closed Saturdays and publicKoeberg visitor's centre (closed Saturdays and public
holidays): Tel. 021 550 4667.holidays): Tel. 021 550 4667.
Bursary applications:Bursary applications:
Closing date for Eskom university and technical collegeClosing date for Eskom university and technical college
bursaries: 31 July 2008 – check outbursaries: 31 July 2008 – check out www.eskom.co.zawww.eskom.co.za, email, email
recruitmentenquiries@eskom.co.zarecruitmentenquiries@eskom.co.za
University of Zululand:University of Zululand:
Department of Physics:Department of Physics: www.uzulu.ac.zawww.uzulu.ac.za
University of the Western Cape:University of the Western Cape:
Department of Physics, www.science.uwc.ac.za/physicsDepartment of Physics, www.science.uwc.ac.za/physicsThis presentation is dedicated to all South African high
school students,including my son Simphiwe, currently
doing Grade 10.

37. Thank you for you timeThank you for you time
• Questions?