3 May 2025
SCIENCE DIPLOMACY AWARD NOMINEES ANNOUNCED: 2024/2025 NSTF-SOUTH32 AWARDS
The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) recently announced the group of nominees contending for the 27th prestigious NSTF-South32 Awards including the nominees for the Science Diplomacy Award which is sponsored by SDCfA. The ‘Science Oscars’ of SA: The NSTF-South32 Awards are known as the ‘Science Oscars’ of SA. It is the largest, most comprehensive, and most sought-after national awards of its kind in SA, as well as the first science awards in the country under the democratic dispensation.
We applaud the deserving nominees in the Science Diplomacy category, they are, in no particular order:
- Centre for Community Technologies (CCT), Nelson Mandela University (NMU) – Prof Darelle van Greunen, Director; Distinguished Professor: Information Technology, NMU
For uniquely bridging academic innovation and community empowerment, using technology not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for sustainable development, social change, and digital equity - Prof Ereck Chakauya – Network Manager: AUDA NEPAD Southern Africa Network for Biosciences (SANBio), CSIR
For harnessing expertise across three SADC member states to modernise indigenous knowledge based traditional medicine for managing HIV/AIDS in Eswatini, Zimbabwe, and Southern Africa - Coastal Systems and Earth Observation Research Group, CSIR – Mr Steven Weerts, Research Group Leader and Principal Researcher
South African researchers support Blue Economic development in Africa through science diplomacy for sustainable coastal development and marine governance - Electric Mobility Lab, Stellenbosch University (SU) – Prof MJ (Thinus) Booysen, Director and Founder; Professor: Engineering; Research Chair: Internet of Things, SU
For pioneering transport electrification in SA and sub-Saharan Africa through vehicle conversions, solar charging, a 6,000 km solar-powered electric bike journey, and over 30 journal publications, laying the foundation for sustainable e-mobility - International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB – Cape Town Component) – Dr Luiz Zerbini, Director; Group Leader: Cancer Genomics
For being the world’s leading intergovernmental organisation for research, training and technology transfer in the field of Life Sciences and Biotechnology by championing scientific diplomacy through its global Fellowship and Training Programme, using science to bring countries together in a unique manner to solve major global challenges - Mr Bryan Johnston – Senior HPC Technologist II: CSIR
For his work in advancing scientific computing in Africa by enabling hundreds of computational scientists through the deployment of advanced research computing systems, fostering of Africa’s largest virtual cyberinfrastructure community, and facilitating global collaborations and partnerships - Prof Liza Korsten – Professor: Plant Health and Food Safety; Co-Director: DSTI/National Research Foundation (NRF) Centre of Excellence in Food Security; President: Africa Academy of Sciences; and also in the Lifetime, NSTF-Water Research Commission and NSTF-Agricultural Research Commission categories
For championing Africa’s food future through science diplomacy and sustainable innovation - Niche Integrated Solutions (Pty) Ltd – Ms Nisha Kostas, Director; and also in the Innovation: SMME category*
For their work in driving global disruptive technologies – fit for purpose for Africa - NTP Radioisotopes SOC Ltd – Group Managing Director: Mr Thabo Tselane
For their work in revolutionising nuclear medicine in Africa through innovative radiopharmaceutical production and capacity-building initiatives that bring advanced cancer care and diagnostic imaging to under-resourced regions - SARIMA (Southern African Research and Innovation Management Association) – Prof Emilia Afonso Nhalevilo, President; Rector: Pungue University, Mozambique
For actively assisting to build capabilities within universities and other research and innovation institutions in the SADC region to better enable research development, technology transfer and commercialisation of Intellectual Property for the benefit of African societies and economies.
We wish all the nominees best of luck! The winner will be announced at a gala dinner to be hosted by NSTF later in the year.