Media invitation to 2024 South African Women in Science Awards
As South Africa comemmorates Women's Month, the Department of Science and Innovation will host its 2024 Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA) on 15 August 2024 to recognise exceptional women in science, technology and innovation.
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, will host the event in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, together with Deputy Minister Ms Nomalungelo Gina.
The country's annual celebration of women excelling in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is held under the theme, "Transition towards an innovation economy: the role of women leaders in STEM".
This year's keynote address will be delivered by Prof. Sonya Smith, Professor and Director of the Atmospheric Sciences Program at Howard University, Washington.
In 1995, Prof. Smith was the first African-American woman to earn a PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia. She joined the faculty at Howard University in 1995 and is the first tenured female professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Prof. Smith has established an interdisciplinary theoretical and computational research laboratory called the Applied Fluids and Thermal Research Laboratory.
Her research focuses on hypersonic boundary layer transition, unpiloted aerial systems, thermal management for space systems, and energy storage solutions. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Research Institute on Tactical Autonomy at Howard University.
This year's awards will also honour Dr Esther Mahlangu, a renowned artist from Mpumalanga who has brought the vibrant art of the South African Ndebele people to the global stage.
The Department has renamed the 2024 fellowships awarded to Masters and Doctoral students to the "DSI-Esther Mahlangu Fellowships".
The 2024 SAWiSA finalists are as follows:
Women and Young Women Researchers
Prof. Olubukola Oluranti Babalola, North West University
Prof. Helena Barnard, University of Pretoria (Gordon Institute of Business Science)
Prof. Zodwa Dlamini, University of Pretoria
Dr Taskeen Docrat, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Prof. Pragashnie Govender, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Dr Charlotte Maserumule, Mintek
Prof. Stephanie Midgley, Western Cape Department of Agriculture
Prof. Caroline Ncube, University of Cape Town
Dr Busiswa Ndaba-Vatsha, University of South Africa
Prof. Lieketseng Ned, Stellenbosch University
Prof. Sisanda Nkoala, University of the Western Cape
Prof. Tlou Ramoroka, University of Limpopo
Prof. Thandiwe Sithole, University of Johannesburg
Prof. Zukiswa Zingela, Nelson Mandela University
Students
Ms Kathleen Charlton, University of Cape Town
Ms Thandokuhle Gama, University of the Free State
Ms Kelebogile Gasealahwe, University of Cape Town
Dr Gabriella Hyman, University of the Witwatersrand
Ms Pearly Joubert, University of Cape Town
Ms Mienke Knipe, Stellenbosch University
Ms Nonkululeko Malomane, University of South Africa
Ms Wendy Mabhulusa, University of South Africa
Ms Anele Mthembu, University of the Free State
Ms Sinenhlanhla Mthembu, North West University
Ms Philadelphia Ngobeni, University of Cape Town
Ms Shavani Naicker, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Ms Nokukhanya Thembane, University of KwaZulu-Natal
This year's finalists will participate in a leadership workshop in partnership with L'Oréal, and the winners will participate in a live panel discussion on SABCTV's Morning Live the following day.
The media are invited as follows:
L'Oreal leadership workshop with finalists
Date: Wednesday, 14 August 2024
Time: 13:00 – 17:00
Venue: ANEW Resort White River, Mbombela
Award ceremony and gala dinner
Date: Thursday, 15 August 2024
Time: 18:00 – 21:30
Venue: ANEW Resort White River, Mbombela
Media breakfast with winners
Date: Friday, 16 August 2024
Time: 08:00 – 09:00
Venue: ANEW Resort White River in Mbombela
Issued by the Department of Science and Innovation.
To attend the events in Mbombela please contact Veronica Mohapeloa (083 400 5750 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Pontsho Mantlhakga (066 185 1501 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
