Interviews
Prof Jeanine Marnewick
For leading a team that promotes rooibos tea, to be included in a personal daily regime as a health promoting option, supported by science.
25 February 2021
The 2019/2020 NSTF-South32 for Communication Award was won by Prof Jeanine Marnewick , Research Chair: Biotechnology and Director: Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute, Cape Peninsula University of Technology received this Award for leading a team that promotes rooibos tea, to be included in a personal daily regime as a health promoting option, supported by science. For Professor Marnewick, the glaring absence of scientifically-supported evidence around health claims made about rooibos herbal tea and the misuse and misinterpretation of existing scientific outcomes set her course into the world of this popular beverage. She made it her goal to find out the health properties and science behind this leaf and to then disseminate true facts and information to those who enjoy its flavour and its health benefits
Memeza Shout (Pty) Ltd: Director, Ms Thulile Mthethwa
For reducing crime, improving the South African Police Service (SAPS) service levels and creating jobs through innovative communication technology and a private/public partnership business model.
25 February 2021
Sponsored by the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) since 2019
The 2019/2020 NSTF-South32 for Innovation Award: Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) was won by Memeza Shout (Pty) Ltd and its Director, Ms Thulile Mthethwa, for reducing crime, improving the South African Police Service (SAPS) service levels and creating jobs through innovative communication technology and a private/public partnership business model. MeMeZa Shout is the first public alarm system endorsed by the SAPS and the government. It fills the gap where poorer communities need a low-tech low-cost technology that links communities together, is proactive with response networks (like the SAPS), gathers intelligent community-based crime data, and helps to reduce crime. The team is led by Mthethwa and Elmarie Pereira.
Smart Spectrum Sharing Team
For developing the Smart Spectrum Sharing Technology (S3T) for a smarter ICT infrastructure and digital inclusion
25 January 2021
The 2019/2020 NSTF-South32 for Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation was won by the Smart Spectrum Sharing Team, with team leader and Chief Research Scientist Dr Fisseha Mekuria, CSIR. The team received the award for developing the Smart Spectrum Sharing Technology (S3T) for a smarter ICT infrastructure and digital inclusion.
South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN)
For collectively conceiving, developing and implementing SAPRIN
25 January 2021
The 2019/2020 NSTF-South32 for Data for Research Award was won by South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN) for collectively conceiving, developing and implementing SAPRIN, which produces up-to-date information on health and socio-economic wellbeing, representative of South Africa’s population. The information is used for scientific analysis, embedding research projects and policy evaluation.
Prof Faizal Bux
For researching wastewater as a resource and not a burden to society.
1 December 2020
Sponsored by the Water Research Commission since 2017
The 2019/2020 NSTF-South32 for NSTF-Water Research Commission (WRC) Award was won by Prof Faizal Bux, Director of the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, and Chair: DSI/NRF SARChI: Wastewater Treatment, Durban University of Technology for research on wastewater as a resource and not a burden to society.
Sharksafe (Pty) Ltd
For developing the SharkSafe BarrierTM that is the first shark specific barrier which is eco-friendly and can protect swimmers and surfers without harming the marine life.
1 December 2020
Sponsored by the Lewis Foundation since 2019
The 2019/2020 NSTF-South32 for NSTF-Lewis Foundation Green Economy Award was won by Sharksafe (Pty) Ltd for developing the SharkSafe BarrierTM that is the first shark specific barrier which is eco-friendly and can protect swimmers and surfers without harming the marine life. The SharkSafe Barrier protects both shark and beach goer. It was developed by a team of researchers based at the University of Stellenbosch. The team includes Dr Sara Andreotti (lead researcher and COO), Professor Conrad Matthee (CEO and Co-Inventor), shark conservationist Michael Rutzen (inventor), Dr Craig O’Connell, marine engineer Laurie Barwell, and plastic manufacturer Rory Bruins of Labscheme Allchem.
Dr Abimbola Olukemi Windapo
For her research of construction business and management that confronts the problems of poor project and organisation performance from a practice perspective.
2 November 2020
Sponsor: Eskom since 2003
The 2019/2020 NSTF-South32 for Engineering Research Capacity Development Award was won by Dr Abimbola Olukemi Windapo, Associate Professor: Department of Construction Economics and Management, University of Cape Town, received the award for her research of construction business and management that confronts the problems of poor project and organisation performance from a practice perspective.
Prof Josua P Meyer
For developing large numbers of engineering research graduates of the highest quality.
2 November 2020
Sponsor: Eskom since 2003
The 2019/2020 NSTF-South32 for Engineering Research Capacity Development Award was won by Prof Josua P Meyer, Professor and Head: Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering; and Chair: School of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, University of Pretoria. For developing large numbers of engineering research graduates of the highest quality.
Professor Judith Kinnaird
For directing economic geology research studies on metals for everyday needs now and for the future.
2 November 2020
The 2019/2020 NSTF-South32 for Management Award was won by Professor Judith Kinnaird, Associate Professor and Director: Economic Geology Research Unit; and Co-Director: DSI Centre of Excellence for the Study of Mineral and Energy Deposits, School of Geosciences, at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) received this award for directing economic geology research studies on metals for everyday needs now and for the future.
