Nozipho N Gumbi
The Department of Science and Innovation has recognised three of Unisa’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology staff and students for their excellence in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics at its 2024 South African Women in Science Awards ceremony.
Held on August 15, the event celebrated South African Women in Science Awards ceremony to recognise and honour significant contributions made by women in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI).
The 2024 ceremony was hosted at Anew Resort White River in Mbombela, under the theme “Transition towards an Innovation Economy: The Role of Women Leaders in STEM.”
Dr Busiswa Ndaba-Vatsha, a Senior Lecturer in the Institute for Catalysis and Energy Solutions at Unisa’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology was the first runner-up in the category “Distinguished Young Women Researchers – Natural and Engineering Sciences”. The award included a certificate of recognition and R60 000. The Distinguished Young Women Researcher awards were presented to young woman scientists or researchers who have PhDs and are under the age of 40 or turning 41 during the year of the awards, for their outstanding contribution to advancing science and building the knowledge base in their areas of research.
Additionally, two master’s degree students from the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability at College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Nonkululeko Malomane and Wendy Mabhulusa were honoured with the DSI-Esther Mahlangu Fellowship (Master’s) to the value R75 000 each. The award fellowship honours South Africa’s Dr Esther Mahlangu’s renowned artistry, which has brought Ndebele art to the global stage.
The fellowship awarded may be used to top up an existing postgraduate scholarship awarded by the National Research Foundation or other funding agencies. It may also be used for attending local or international conferences, publishing open access research papers, registering a patent, or obtaining equipment to conduct research.
Ndaba-Vatsha’s research focuses on improving energy and crop production through biological and nanotechnology techniques, particularly using non-edible feedstock like cellulosic biomass for fuel energy production and waste valorisation to develop agricultural fertilisers, embracing a circular economy approach. She has published over 25 peer-reviewed research papers and book chapters on the subject of nanofertiliser development and biofuel production, edited one book, and contributed non-peer-reviewed articles to public domain magazines.
Nonkululeko Malomane is pursuing an MSc degree in Chemistry at the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability
.Her master’s degree research focuses on synthesising and applying porphyrin conjugates with nanostructured materials for water disinfection and biofilm inactivation. Her research is aimed at advancing innovative and sustainable solutions for water treatment, to benefit resource-constrained environments and enhance public health. She previously won the Best Oral Presenter award at the 2023 Unisa Research and Innovation Festival in the Natural and Physical Science category.
Wendy Mabhulusa is pursuing an MSc at the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability
Mabhulusa’s research interests include electrochemistry, catalysis, nanotechnology and materials science. Her master’s degree project focuses on the synthesis of nanomaterials for use in fuel cells. She has presented her research at platforms, symposia and conferences that include the 15 th Green Chemistry Summer School, FameLab South Africa science communication competition, the Black Women in Science Conference on Climate Change, and the Young Scientists Conference on Climate Change and the Earth System.
Prior to receiving their awards, this year's finalists participated in a leadership workshop in partnership with L'Oréal, and all three participated in a live panel discussion on SABC TV’s Morning Live.
Conveying a congratulatory message to winners, Professor Simiso Dube, Deputy Executive Dean of instiotute, said: “It is so refreshing to see our emerging scholars and students excelling in this manner. The Unisa flag is surely being lifted high. Congratulations to the awardees and thanks to Catalysis and Energy Solutions and Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability at Unisa for creating an environment where staff and students strive for excellence.”
Indeed, Unisa celebrates these impactful young women researchers for flying the institution’s flag high.