Environmental Awareness at the Schools' Science Expo by Nova

Community Engagement participated in the Science Expo for MAP high schools.

Community Engagement trained learners on the Basa Magogo method of making fire. The Basa Magogo method of making fire teaches learners how to eliminate smoke in coal fires, while saving coal.

Training workshops are organised in partnership with the NOVA Institute. The name "Nova" is an Afrikaans acronym for Research and Development for the Prevention of Poverty (In the Afrikaans language: Navorsing en Ontwikkeling vir die Voorkoming van Armoede.

During training sessions, demonstrations and education on the elimination of illnesses that are caused by air pollution, specifically coal smoke, are provided.


The Basa Magogo Method

As a technique, Basa Magogo is quite simple: instead of starting the fire with paper and wood at the bottom and then adding coal on top, the opposite procedure is followed. That is, the paper and wood is placed on top of the coal, and the fire burns from the top downwards. It must, however, be done correctly. The Basa Magogo technique was named after a community member of eMbalenhle near Secunda, South Africa, Mrs Nebelungu Mashinini. She perfected the method when Nova introduced and tested it on a small scale in 1999.

Description: Community Engagement Keywords: NOVA, Basa Magogo, fire, coal, eliminate smoke, saving coal, air pollution

Basa Magogo means "Light up, grandmother!"

In Zamdela near Sasolburg, South Africa, the method was called "Basa Mama" which means "Light up, Mama".


Click here for more information about the Basa Magogo method.
Click here for more information about the Basa Magogo project in QwaQwa.

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