On 27 and 28 February 2023, Iimbovane hosted an exhibition at the SANBI Annual Biodiversity Careers Expo at the Herold Porter Botanical Garden in Betty’s Bay.

Iimbovane who focused on invasion science and entomology was joined by other exhibitors including Iziko Museum, South African National Space Agency, SANBI and geologists from the Overberg Geoscientists Group.

The expo was aimed at introducing learners to careers in biodiversity and was attended by 84 learners from schools in the area.

On the first day of the expo, Iimbovane showed the learners what an invasion scientist does and to put that in practice, the learners had to identify three invasive alien plant species using field guides. At the end of the day, all the learners could easily distinguish between a black wattle, Port Jackson and pine tree.

On the second day of the expo, the Iimbovane table had an entomology surprise for the learners. Behind the table, covered in creepie crawlies of different shapes and sizes, the learners were welcomed by Londiwe Msomi, Education Outreach Officer for Iimbovane. Learners were tasked with the identification of ants under the microscopes to see whether they can spot ants from other insects or spiders that mimic ants species.

Olona Tom, Luyolo Mdude and Bonginkosi Mashwabane were the first three learners to win the ‘Spot the Ant’ competition and won themselves an Iimbovane USB flash drives.