Celebrating South Africa's scientific and research excellence

The Minister of Science and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, commended all the winners at the 26th annual National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-South32 Awards, which took place on 11 July in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Along with scientists and researchers, the awards celebrated 20 students who are participating in the NSTF Brilliants Programme. The programme, supported by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), recognises students who performed with distinction in science and mathematics during the previous year's matric examination, and who are enrolled in science, engineering and technology (SET)-related courses at universities across the country.

A record number of 17 awards in 15 categories were made at this year's event.

"I wish to congratulate the winners and nominees who have been role models and, through their work, have made a significant contribution towards using science, technology and innovation to drive transformative change in our country," said the Minister.

The Minister highlighted the important role of young scientists in South Africa, saying, "An investment in our young people who are doing science is literally an investment in our country's future."

Minister Nzimande said the country is facing a number of development complexities, and it is important to sustain the production of new cohorts of young scientists and researchers (in particular black and women scientists and researchers) who will help to produce innovative ideas on how best to solve some of those complexities.

Outstanding achievement awards were made in 15 categories including scientific research, innovation and development, management and related activities, capacity development in engineering research, environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation, science diplomacy, medical research, water research and innovation, data for research, and science communication.

The theme for this year's awards was "The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in South Africa". The Minister said the theme was very relevant if viewed in the context of the general trajectory of technological innovation today and in the past 10 years.

"There is no doubt that digital solutions have become a major part of everyday life and present us with enormous opportunities for our country to chart a new digital-driven development path," said Minister Nzimande.

He added that the NTSF's focus on 4IR also aligns with one of the key focus areas of the Decadal Plan for Science, Technology and Innovation.

"Our Decadal Plan emphasises the alignment of science, technology and innovation to key sectors of the economy such as agriculture, manufacturing, mining, health, energy and the digital and circular economies."

With some of the country's key role players and stakeholders in the national system of innovation present at the awards, the Minister concluded his address by encouraging them to support the implementation of the Decadal Plan.

The Department's former Director-General, Dr Phil Mjwara, was also honoured for his contribution to developing the science, technology and innovation landscape.

Some of the winners of the NSTF-South32 Awards include:

Lifetime Award

Prof. Ben-Erik van Wyk – Chair of the DSI-National Research Foundation South African Research Chairs Initiative in Indigenous Plant Use at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).

For his contribution as a botanist and an authority on traditional and commercial uses of plants, with numerous books and publications covering all or most of the socially relevant and commercialised plant species of the world.

Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher

Prof. Patience Mthunzi-Kufa – Professor Extraordinarius at University of South Africa; Research Group Head: Biophotonics; Manager of the Photonics Centre at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

For her research on the construction and application of photonics-based diagnostic devices for point-of care detection of HIV-1, TB, Covid-19, as well as non-communicable diseases in order to achieve early detection of and to facilitate timely treatment.

Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher (two winners)

Dr Tiisetso E Lephoto – Lecturer and Principal Researcher in the School of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).

For her investigation of biological control agents (natural enemies for pests) which can help solve identified challenges and the identification of new insect-killing microscopic worms called entomopathogenic nematodes, which have the potential to infect and kill problematic soil-dwelling insects in farms within 24 to 48 hours upon invasion.

AND

Prof. Tebogo Mashifana – Associate Professor and Head of Department: Chemical Engineering Technology at UJ.

For her research that focuses on innovative circular economy principles to remediate the environmental impact caused by wastewater and solid wastes, and converting such wastes generated by different industries that pollute our environment and contaminate water, soil, and the air, into new products that can be used for various applications.

Innovation Award – Corporate Organisation: Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRi) – Prof. Mike Sathekge, CEO and President

A facility that represents a paradigm shift in its field, offering a one-stop-shop for medical imaging and theragnostics dedicated to drug development and clinical research, which provides consolidated expertise in nuclear technologies in medicine and the biosciences, creating significant research, development and innovation capacity in South Africa.

Green Economy Award

Prof. Linda Godfrey – Manager: Circular Innovation SA, Principal Scientist: Circular Economy, CSIR; Extraordinary Professor: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit; Lecturer: Department of Internal Medicine, Wits.

For her leading role in shaping and driving South Africa's waste and circular economy science, technology and innovation agendas, encompassing the development and implementation of the Waste Research, Development and Innovation Roadmap for the DSI and having been instrumental in shaping strategic local and international waste and circular economy initiatives.

Issued by the Department of Science and Innovation.