The Hydrogen South Africa Public Awareness, Demonstration and Education Platform (HySA PADEP) participated at the official launch of the hydrogen and fuel cell plant at Mvuzo Secondary School in the Eastern Cape on 12 June 2015. SAASTA has developed an educational programme that has been rolled out to schools in the area, teaching learners about the science of fuel cells.

At the event the Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, and other delegates visited the exhibition tent, where 19 Exhibitors from various science organisations and companies presented on the importance of science in their fields of specialisation, and gave career workshops to several schools that attended. Speaking at the launch, the Minister noted that the Cofimvaba initiative demonstrated that collaboration between the public and private sectors was essential to improving living conditions in the society.

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is being used effectively to provide standby power in some schools in the Eastern Cape. The power produced by the fuel cells is used to support basic energy requirements, for example, charging stations for tablets, fax machines and computers. The Department of Science and Technology partnered with private sector companies. Anglo American Platinum sponsored three platinum-based fuel cell systems, including installation and ongoing maintenance and operations. Air Products supplied the hydrogen fuel requirements, while Clean Energy commissioned the fuel cells to bring standby power to the schools.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and Umhlobo Wenene FM (National radio station) attended the event and extended the horizons to reach a wider audience nationally and locally.

Success of any new technology requires buy-in from all its stakeholders. It is for this reason that the Hydrogen South Africa Public Awareness and Demonstration Platform (HySA PADEP) was created to market the technology locally and internationally.