South Africa’s National Science Week: contribution to the promotion of diversity and inclusion in STEM education and engagement

South Africa is dedicated to establishing itself as a global leader in science and technology. Achieving this ambitious goal requires a concerted effort to cultivate a scientifically literate society. Each year, the country hosts the National Science Week (NSW) to celebrate and promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The initiative aims to enhance understanding and engagement, and foster interest in STEM careers to develop human capabilities in STEM. Using data collected from the 2023 NSW grant holders, we explored the reach of the event and grant holders’ priorities for involvement in the NSW, in relation to promoting diversity and inclusion in STEM. In terms of reach, eight provinces had more than half female participation and seven had more than 90 % Black African participation. Many grant holders targeted no-fee schools and those located in areas of high socioeconomic risk, thus providing opportunities for the most vulnerable learners 1 to be exposed to STEM. Grant holders also focused beyond schools on the inclusion of different sectors of society, including tertiary students, scientists, science interpreters, government officials and the general public. Grant holders revealed an explicit focus on promoting STEM education for all students, supporting STEM subjects and careers, expanding science awareness and developing a scientifically literate society, highlighting the role of science in everyday life, emphasizing the role of science and evidence-based research in tackling societal problems, and encouraging collaboration. This paper emphasises the importance of events such as the NSW in advancing STEM awareness, education and engagement through the promotion of diversity and inclusion and thereby contributing to the cultivation of a more scientifically literate South African society.