𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐨𝐦
By Deon Visser

One of the most powerful moments of the Young Engineers Movement (YEM) Hackathon came when engineer Deon Visser addressed the 55 learners gathered at ORT South Africa.

Speaking to learners from 11 schools across Gauteng, Visser delivered a message that went beyond engineering. It was a message about possibility, perseverance, and believing in your ability to shape the future.

He challenged learners to look around the room and recognise that the next generation of engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers is already here. The people who will one day design bridges, create sustainable energy solutions, solve water shortages, and build smarter communities may be sitting in classrooms today.

For many of the learners attending YEM, this message resonated deeply. Coming from communities where opportunities can sometimes feel limited, they were reminded that circumstances do not determine their future. Determination does.

Throughout his talk, Visser encouraged learners to see themselves as problem-solvers. Engineering, he explained, is not simply about mathematics and science. It is about looking at a challenge and asking:
How can I make this better?

How can I solve this problem?

How can I improve people’s lives?

These questions sit at the heart of the YEM Hackathon, where learners spend the week identifying real-world challenges and developing innovative solutions through technology, engineering, and teamwork.

Visser also spoke honestly about the challenges that every aspiring engineer will face. There will be difficult tests, complex equations, and moments of self-doubt. Success, he reminded learners, is not about being the smartest person in the room. It is about refusing to give up.

Perhaps the most memorable part of his message was a simple response to those who say a dream is impossible:
“Watch me.”

Whether facing financial challenges, limited resources, or societal expectations, learners were encouraged to believe that they belong in engineering and technology spaces.

His message aligned perfectly with the purpose of YEM: exposing young people to STEM careers while helping them develop the confidence to pursue them.

As learners continue building prototypes and preparing for the final exhibition, they carry with them an important reminder: South Africa’s future engineers are not only found in wealthy neighbourhoods or prestigious schools. They are found in townships, rural communities, ordinary classrooms, and in rooms just like the one that launched YEM 2026.

The future is not waiting to arrive.

It is already being built.