THE BIRTH OF A NUCLEAR THE BIRTH OF A NUCLEAR PHYSICISTPHYSICIST

So, this is what a So, this is what a nuclear physicist nuclear physicist

(new-clear fizz-assist) (new-clear fizz-assist) looks like!looks like!

Please meet,Please meet,Nonhlanhla MokoenaNonhlanhla Mokoena

Koeberg Nuclear Power Koeberg Nuclear Power StationStation

The unlikely start to The 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 my I'm the last born of my mother's three daughters mother's three daughters but on my father's side, I am but on my father's side, I am the second of about 20 the second of about 20 children.children.

I was very young when my I was very young when my mother Bekisiwe divorced mother Bekisiwe divorced her first husband and began her first husband and began a relationship with my a 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

Ngingubani?Ngingubani?Who am I?Who am I?

My grandmother, Khonzaphi Mokoena, was My grandmother, Khonzaphi Mokoena, was uneducated but had a great impact on my uneducated 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 her under one roof, with the help of her husband, who worked at Defy. He died husband, 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-hand We were so poor that I lived in second-hand clothes, and was allowed new clothes once clothes, and was allowed new clothes once a year, at Christmasa year, at Christmas

We had a plot, and a plough, and we grew We had a plot, and a plough, and we grew almost all our own food (mealies for samp almost 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

Ngikhuliswe ugogoNgikhuliswe ugogoRaised by grannyRaised by granny

Ngathola umntwana (I fell Ngathola umntwana (I fell pregnant in 1989), ngimncane pregnant in 1989), ngimncane kakhulu (I was 15 years old).kakhulu (I was 15 years old).

My grandmother still trusted My grandmother still trusted and believed in me. After my and believed in me. After my son Simphiwe was born, she son Simphiwe was born, she took me back to school the took 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 was worked in a garage and was not supportive.not supportive.

Before and after the baby was born

Surviving MatricSurviving Matric Failed matric 1992Failed matric 1992 Wrote matric Wrote matric

supplementary 1993 supplementary 1993 during riotsduring riots

Failed againFailed again I just asked myself “Is this I just asked myself “Is this

what I'm looking for? Is what I'm looking for? Is this it?” this it?”

Went back to grade 11 in Went back to grade 11 in 1994, the year of our first 1994, the year of our first democratic electionsdemocratic elections

Got matric with exemption Got matric with exemption in 1995in 1995

I had to move to a different high school to do grade 11 the second time around

Still surviving MatricStill surviving Matric When I failed my matric When I failed my matric

supplementary exams, I supplementary exams, I thought of my goals thought of my goals

August 1993, I decided to go August 1993, I decided to go back to schoolback to school

But my grandmother, the But my grandmother, the only breadwinneronly breadwinner in the in the household (with her household (with her pension), died in December pension), died in December 1993. I nearly dropped out.1993. I nearly dropped out.

Umlazi, overlooking Durban airport, and a school in Umlazi

Mentors got me through matricMentors got me through matric First mentor: mathematics First mentor: mathematics

teacher Miss Lulu Pitso, grade teacher Miss Lulu Pitso, grade 11, my first try at matric 11, my first try at matric (Kwazini high school), told me (Kwazini high school), told me about teacher training about teacher training opportunities, she's still in my opportunities, she's still in my life todaylife today

Second mentor: science Second mentor: science teacher Mrs Tiny Cele (Dloko teacher Mrs Tiny Cele (Dloko high school)high school)

Third mentor: teacher Mrs Third mentor: teacher Mrs Zandile Mtshali (Dloko high Zandile Mtshali (Dloko high school), who is like a mother to school), 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

Matric is just the beginning...Matric is just the beginning... 1996: 3-year teaching diploma at 1996: 3-year teaching diploma at

KwaGqikazi college of education in KwaGqikazi college of education in Nongoma, KZN, in mathematics Nongoma, KZN, in mathematics and physical science, and physical science,

1998: On the first day of final-year 1998: On the first day of final-year exams that my mother had died. My exams that my mother had died. My mother had been stopped from mother had been stopped from working because of heart problems working because of heart problems but couldn't get a disability grant but couldn't get a disability grant because Home Affairs had already because Home Affairs had already classified her as dead. classified her as dead.

I wrote all the exams, went home I wrote all the exams, went home with donation from college and with 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.

The end of the road?The end of the road?1999: government 1999: government

restructuring - freezing of restructuring - freezing of teaching posts teaching posts

Adult Basic Education Adult Basic Education Training (ABET) Training (ABET) certificate to teach grown-certificate to teach grown-ups, not kidsups, not kids

After all, millions of adult After all, millions of adult South Africans can't read South Africans can't read or write or count.or write or count.

Investing in yourself...Investing in yourself... 2000 - 2003: Bachelor of Science 2000 - 2003: Bachelor of Science

degree (Industrial Science) at the degree (Industrial Science) at the University of Zululand University of Zululand

2004: Bachelor of Science Honours 2004: Bachelor of Science Honours degree (Physics) at the same varsity, degree (Physics) at the same varsity, using a materials science programme using a materials science programme established by Prof. OM Ndwandwe established by Prof. OM Ndwandwe who knew I didn't yet have a job who knew I didn't yet have a job

2005: registered for a full-time 2005: registered for a full-time Master's degree in materials science, Master's degree in materials science, a collaboration between the a collaboration between the universities of Zululand (in universities of Zululand (in Empangeni) and the Western Cape Empangeni) and the Western Cape (in Bellville) and iThemba Laboratories (in Bellville) and iThemba Laboratories for Accelerator Based Sciences for 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?

Why did I do physics? Why did I do physics? physics answers the physics answers the

question ''why?''question ''why?'' lots of variety in your lots 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.

''Physicists are not dreamers. They are ''Physicists are not dreamers. They are the people needed for our country to the 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, to cook, do hairdressing, draw, to raise funds while studying raise 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 uJehova ngiyamthanda uJehova ongenzela konke (the Lord is ongenzela 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

Anyone can get into universityAnyone can get into university university leveluniversity level

studying physical science studying physical science and mathematics at high and mathematics at high school opens the doors to school opens the doors to a wide range of study a wide range of study optionsoptions

there are many bursaries there are many bursaries (loans) available and (loans) available and sometimes you don't have sometimes you don't have to repay all of it if you to repay all of it if you pass in record timepass in record time

colleges of educationcolleges of education lots of jobs for teachers in lots of jobs for teachers in

maths and physical maths and physical sciencescience

bursaries availablebursaries available

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

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.

What does a nuclear physicist What does a nuclear physicist do?do?

Ensure the safety of the reactor. South Ensure 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 cycle Manage the economy of the fuel cycle through an ''optimized fuel management through an ''optimized fuel management strategy'' – a long way of saying that we strategy'' – a long way of saying that we test that the imported uranium fuel rods test that the imported uranium fuel rods are in order. To do this we use are in order. To do this we use mathematics!mathematics!

Assess and manage the conditions in Assess and manage the conditions in the core to ensure that its stablethe core to ensure that its stable

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 the Support the operators of the nuclear power plant during nuclear power plant during shut down and start up to shut down and start up to ensure safety.ensure safety.

Ensure we abide by the rules Ensure we abide by the rules of the International Atomic of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which Energy Agency (IAEA), which monitors all nuclear activities in monitors all nuclear activities in the worldthe world

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

An average day at a pressurised An 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.

This is how we light up the This is how we light up the societysociety

The magic ingredient: uraniumThe magic ingredient: uranium

Uranium - the fuel for a nuclear Uranium - the fuel for a nuclear reactorreactor

Uranium is mined - it is a Uranium is mined - it is a naturally-occurring silvery-gray naturally-occurring silvery-gray metal found in rocks, soil and metal found in rocks, soil and water. water.

Uranium is mined in Africa (it is a Uranium is mined in Africa (it is a by-product of gold mining).by-product of gold mining).

Processed into pellets in the USA Processed 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 right Uranium 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.

A safe and sustainable nuclear A safe and sustainable nuclear chain reactionchain reaction

Pellets of uranium are stacked Pellets of uranium are stacked and sealed in pencil-thin and sealed in pencil-thin nuclear nuclear fuel rodsfuel rods , each about two metres , each about two metres long.long.

Hundreds of these uranium rods Hundreds of these uranium rods or tubes are bundled together. or tubes are bundled together. The bundles are called The bundles are called fuel fuel assembliesassemblies ..

If you slowly bombard these rods If you slowly bombard these rods with neutrons, the uranium with neutrons, the uranium releases energy the result - releases energy the result - a a nuclear chain reaction.nuclear chain reaction.

The heat makes steam, the steam The heat makes steam, the steam turns the turbine, the turbines turns the turbine, the turbines convert the steam into electricityconvert the steam into electricity

Electricity supplier to the cityElectricity supplier to the city

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!!

A smart way to make heat - A smart way to make heat - Nuclear FissionNuclear Fission

The drawing shows The drawing shows neutrons inside a uranium neutrons inside a uranium atom splitting and atom splitting and multiplying, and that's what multiplying, and that's what generates our power: we generates our power: we harness the power of the harness the power of the atomatom

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.

Receiving and inspecting Receiving 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.

Offloading nuclear waste in Offloading nuclear waste in Vaalputs in NamaqualandVaalputs in Namaqualand

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!

What do you want to do with your What do you want to do with your life?life?

QualificationsQualifications Knowledge is something that can't Knowledge is something that can't

be taken away from you be taken away from you ChallengesChallenges

LifeLife EducationEducation

What do you want to achieveWhat do you want to achieve Winning certificates and awards Winning certificates and awards

as best student?as best student? Buying a new car?Buying a new car? Owning your own flat and Owning your own flat and

furnishing it?furnishing it? Assisting your nephews and niece, Assisting your nephews and niece,

brothers and sisters, cousins to brothers 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 to Be independent and not have to

ask anyone else for money?ask anyone else for money?

Physics comes in useful in many Physics comes in useful in many careers, in many placescareers, in many places

Computer scienceComputer science robots, iPods, cellphones, garage door robots, iPods, cellphones, garage door

openers, BMWs, computer games, the openers, BMWs, computer games, the Internet, YouTube: all use basic principles Internet, 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 designer weapons designer Space and earth scienceSpace and earth science

Everything from the bottom of the ocean to Everything from the bottom of the ocean to the furthest star, and everything about our the furthest star, and everything about our own planet, relies on physics. If we want to own planet, relies on physics. If we want to understand our neighbourhood in this solar understand our neighbourhood in this solar system, we need physics.system, we need physics.

Don't get sidetrackedDon't get sidetracked Perseverance is the Perseverance is the

mother of successmother of success Don’t be satisfied if you’re Don’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 stupid it's better to be a stupid for five minutes rather for five minutes rather than the rest of your lifethan the rest of your life

Be inquisitive, ask lots of Be inquisitive, ask lots of questionsquestions

Think of solutions, not ''I Think of solutions, not ''I can't'' can't''

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) Sol id-state (materials science) physicsphysics : : the study of stuff – hard the study of stuff – hard things, soft things, dry things, wet things, soft things, dry things, wet things. things.

Particle physicsParticle physics : study matter at the : study matter at the very smallest scale, fundamental very smallest scale, fundamental particles that make up everything in particles that make up everything in the universe, from stars to starfish the universe, from stars to starfish

Aerodynamics:Aerodynamics: go fly a kite (or a go fly a kite (or a plane)plane)

Astrophysics:Astrophysics: the birth of the the birth of the universeuniverse

Biophysics:Biophysics: how the environment how the environment worksworks

Failure + perseverance = successFailure + perseverance = success Have a dream and mission to fulfillHave a dream and mission to fulfill Set your goals, noma kumnyama Set your goals, noma kumnyama

ekuseni lizophuma ilangaekuseni lizophuma ilanga Consider more than one careerConsider more than one career Be yourself, musa ukuphila impilo Be 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 to Don’t allow any circumstances to

become a barrier, think about the become a barrier, think about the solutionsolution

Respect yourself and othersRespect yourself and others Funda ukuzimela ngokwakho Funda ukuzimela ngokwakho FAIL – First Action In Learning (Pastor FAIL – First Action In Learning (Pastor

Mathole, Johannesburg)Mathole, Johannesburg) Enjoy your youth but be careful what Enjoy your youth but be careful what

you are doingyou are doing Ngaphambi kukuba wenze noma yini Ngaphambi kukuba wenze noma yini

cabanga imiphumelo yaleyontocabanga imiphumelo yaleyonto ““Anyone who has never made a Anyone who has never made a

mistake has never tried anything new” mistake has never tried anything new” ((Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein))

Physics can answer all your Physics 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 public Koeberg 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 college Closing date for Eskom university and technical college bursaries: 31 July 2008 – check out bursaries: 31 July 2008 – check out www.eskom.co.zawww.eskom.co.za, email , email recruitmentenquiries@eskom.co.zarecruitmentenquiries@eskom.co.zaUniversity 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.

Thank you for you timeThank you for you time

• Questions?