Interviews
Dr Happy Sithole
Boosting SA’s economy by supporting industry research and innovation
11 October 2019
Dr Happy Sithole won the prestigious NSTF-South32 Management Award for spearheading the development of the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) and leading it to the level of a world-class entity.
Dr Mardé Helbig
Optimising algorithms to enhance decision-making
19 September 2019
When Dr Mardé Helbig, senior lecturer in the department of computer science at the University of Pretoria, found that little work had been done on solving problems with conflicting objectives that change over time, known as dynamic multi-objective optimisation problems (DMOOPs), she began to focus on solving DMOOPs using vector-evaluated particle swarm optimisation.
Prof Lindiwe Zungu
Transforming South African mines into ‘zero-harm tolerance’ zones for all workers
27 August 2019
Zungu has developed a comprehensive set of guidelines to assist the South African mining industry to better cater to the needs of female miners. As a result of her research, the industry implemented new protective gear, designed specifically for women working underground.
Professor Robin Crewe
Lifetime Award for achievement by an individual
26 July 2019
Professor Robin Crewe is an internationally-renowned researcher, educator and innovator for the work he has done on social insects, particularly honeybees. His work into these remarkable insects has provided significant insights into their communication systems and social organisation. In addition to this research, he has taught and mentored students, taken on numerous roles as the head of an academic department, and he’s been the leader of two research groups, the dean of natural science at two universities, and the vice-principal for research and postgraduate studies at the University of Pretoria.
Professor Harald Winkler
recipient of the Special Annual Theme Award: Sustainable Energy for All
6 May 2019
Special Annual Theme Award: Sustainable Energy for All (in recognition of the United Nations ‘International Decade of Sustainable Energy for All’) Prof Harald Winkler, director at the Energy Research Centre, University of Cape Town, is an internationally-acclaimed researcher. He focuses on sustainable energy for all in the context of a just transition to low carbon economies. This includes developing a multi-stakeholder process for informed decision making around climate policy.
Prof Keolebogile Motaung
Biomedical Scientist
12 February 2019
Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation for innovations and their research and/or development (by a team or an individual over the last 5 to 10 years) Sponsored by the Department of Trade and Industry. Prof Keolebogile Motaung Founder: Global Health Biotech (Pty) Ltd; and Assistant Dean: Postgraduate Studies, Research, Innovation and Engagement, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology. Her research shows a future of tissue engineering of bone and cartilage that depends on medicinal plants. A cream is currently being manufactured as an alternative natural anti-inflammatory ointment.
Prof Malik Maaza
Inspired by nature
4 December 2018
NSTF-GreenMatter Awards: towards biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability and a greener economy by an individual or an organisation. His work has involved numerous innovations that are green and sustainable. This includes developing thermochromic intelligent nanocoating for smart glass windows, which minimises the energy load. Simply put, Maaza’s research can potentially minimise the energy load caused by air conditioning and energy use
Professor Leslie Petrick
professor of chemistry at the University of the Western Cape: Washing water clean with waste ash from coal
4 December 2018
NSTF-Water Research Commission Award: towards achieving sustainable water management, knowledge generation and solutions with demonstrated leadership and impact by an individual or an organisation
A professor of chemistry at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), she has dedicated the past 10 years to researching water chemistry and effluent remediation in search of a way to change waste into something useful.
Professor Steve Tollman
Director of Wits University’s Health Systems Development Unit. (Photo: EYEscape
3 November 2018
NSTF Management Award winner Prof Stephen Tollman, He has been at the forefront of harnessing inter-disciplinary science to guide policy towards sustainable health and development in a challenging environment in rural Mpumalanga.
