The 2023 instalment of the South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA) celebrated the best of women in science, technology and innovation.  SAWiSA is an annual countrywide event that profiles distinguished women researchers and scientists, as well as younger women who are emerging as excellent researchers.   

The awards were held on 8 September under the theme, "Harnessing technological change and innovation to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls".

The theme was adapted from the 67th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) held in March this year.  The UNCSW is the principal global intergovernmental body dedicated exclusively to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

It was a full house at the gala dinner on Friday evening held at the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani Hotel in Durban.  The awards had been on a three-year hiatus due to Covid-19. 

The gala dinner, which was hosted by the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Dr Blade Nzimande, was attended by the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Ms Nompendulo Thobile Mkhatshwa, other members of the portfolio committee and members of the diplomatic corps.  The Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand, Dr Judy Dlamini, delivered the keynote speech.

Opening the awards, the Minister said that one of the most pressing questions of the present is how to harness technological change and innovation in the digital age to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls.   

"Some of the answers to this question are contained in the breathtaking and groundbreaking research conducted by some of the finalists and winners that we honour and celebrate tonight," said the Minister.

The Minister added that the research work of the 2023 SAWiSA finalists covers broad areas, including, among many others: gender-based violence; violence against children; historical trauma; gender equality; diseases such as HIV, heart disease and cancer; waste beneficiation through nanotechnology; cost-effective 5G networks; machine learning in astronomy; and youth entrepreneurship. 

The winners in each category are as follows:

Distinguished Woman Researcher – Humanities and Social Sciences

Prof. Catherine Ward

 

Distinguished Young Woman Researcher – Humanities and Social Sciences

Prof. Anastacia Mamabolo

 

Distinguished Woman Researcher – Natural and Engineering Sciences

Prof. Janine Barbara Adams

Distinguished Young Woman Researcher – Natural and Engineering Sciences 

Prof. Usisipho Feleni

Distinguished Young Woman Special Award

Dr Tiisetso Elizabeth Lephoto

Distinguished Woman Special Award

Dr Patience Thenjiwe Mthunzi-Kufa

DSI-Ndoni Mcunu Fellowships: Master's Awards

• Ms Modjadji Rebecca Letsoalo
• Ms Nyeleti Precious Mabaso
• Ms Gizelle Roque van Niekerk

DSI-Ndoni Mcunu Fellowships: Doctoral Awards

• Ms Carla Dodd
• Ms Munira Hoosain
• Ms Boitumelo Makgabutlane
• Ms Thendo Gertie Makhado
• Ms Lusani Mamushiane
• Ms Bambesiwe Mbesi May
• Ms Aletta Susanna Nortje
• Nicole Inge Richardson
• Ms Ramakgahlela Betty Sebati

For more information, contact Thabang Setlhare at 072 659 9690.

Issued by the Department of Science and Innovation