Meet the Finalists in Natural and Engineering Sciences – Distinguished Young Woman Researcher Category at the South African Women in Science Awards 2025

As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) proudly unveils the finalists of the South African Women in Science Awards (SAWISA) 2025. These exceptional women exemplify excellence, leadership, and transformative impact in research and innovation. Today, we spotlight the finalists in the Distinguished Woman: Natural and Engineering Sciences
Prof. Tebogo Mashifana is a Professor of Circular Economy at the University of South Africa (Unisa) and previously served as the Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering Technology at UJ. Prof. Mashifana's research is rooted in the principles of the circular economy, focusing on innovative strategies for the valorisation and beneficiation of solid waste, wastewater treatment, and resource recovery.
Her work contributes meaningfully to several United Nations SDGs, including SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) and SDG 13 (climate action). Prof. Mashifana advocates for research that results in practical, commercially viable solutions to ensure long-term sustainability. Her efforts have led to the development of multiple intellectual properties, including the filing of a provisional patent based on her research findings.
Prof. Mashifana holds a Y2 rating from the NRF and has published over 70 peer-reviewed articles in top-tier international journals such as the Journal of Cleaner Production, Construction and Building Materials, and Chemosphere. She is a sought-after keynote speaker at national forums and has won numerous accolades, including the prestigious 2024 NSTF-South32 TW Kambule Emerging Researcher Award, the 2021 NRF Research Excellence Award for Early Career/Emerging Researchers, and recognition from the Global Cleantech Innovation Programme for her innovative environmental solutions. She is also a member of SAYAS.
Prof. Mashifana has secured several external research grants and has hosted and collaborated with leading international scholars. She has successfully supervised seven master's and two doctoral students and mentored three postdoctoral research fellows. She currently supervises four master's and seven PhD students, focusing on sustainable technologies for waste treatment and resource recovery.
She is a registered chemical engineer with the Engineering Council of South Africa. She serves on the editorial boards of respected academic journals, including the Chemical Engineering Journal. Her continued leadership in circular economy research and engineering education positions her as one of South Africa's leading voices in sustainable development and innovation.
The South African Women in Science Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of women researchers across disciplines, inspiring future generations and advancing equity in science, technology, and innovation.
Stay tuned as we continue to profile the 2025 finalists during Women’s Month.