The Who’s Who of Science, Engineering, Technology and ... · This is the th12 anniversary of the...

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SETI Stars

The Who’s Who of Science, Engineering, Technology and

Innovation in South Africa2009/10

A National Science and Technology Forum Initiative

Partners & Sponsors

Partners

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsor

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• DepartmentofAgriculture,ForestryandFisheries• Mintek• SouthAfricanMedicalResearchCouncil(MRC)• SouthAfricanNuclearEnergyCorporation(Necsa)• UniversityofCapeTown• UniversityofJohannesburg• UniversityofPretoria• UniversityofPretoria:DepartmentofElectrical,Electronic&ComputerEngineering• UniversityofStellenbosch• UniversityoftheWitwatersrand

1NSTF Awards 2009/10

Contents

1 FocusontheNSTF

2 MessagefromtheChairpersonoftheNSTF

3 AdjudicationoftheAwards

4 TributetoDrTWKambule

4 TributetoChiefAdjudicator,DenisFrankHunt

5 TheFinalists:Individuals

13 TheFinalists:ResearchforInnovationbyanindividualorateamthroughanOrganisation/Institution

15 TheBrilliantsProgrammeforourfutureInnovators

20 TheNSTFShare ‘n Dare Programme

The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) is the largest and most prominent multi-stakeholderrepresentativeforumforallscience,engineering,technologyandinnovation(SETI)organisationsinSouthAfrica,whichseeks to influence policy formulation and delivery. TheNSTFwas established in 1995, and has a proud history ofinvolvementwithSETIpolicyissuesandthepromotionofdiscussionaboutSETImatters.

TheNSTF Awards are unique inSouthAfrica and the flagshipproject of theNSTF. TheNSTFAwards encourageand reward excellence in Scientific Research, Technological Innovation, Education,Capacity Building, and ScienceCommunication and therefore afford an opportunity for recognition on a national level to all practising scientists,engineersandtechnologistsacrossthesystemofinnovation.

The significance, importance and relevance of these contributions cannot be over-emphasised since technologyinnovation,infrastructurecreationandresearcheffecteconomicgrowth,withoutwhichdevelopmentwouldbestuntedandpovertyalleviationwouldremainadreaminSouthAfrica.

The‘BrilliantsProgramme’oftheNSTFAwardshostsselectedachieversinscience,technologyandmathematicsintheschoolsystemandrecognisesandrewardstheminvariousways.

Focus on the NSTF

2 NSTF Awards 2009/10




Message from the Chairperson

Prof. BD WingfieldChairperson

Over the last fiveyears,agreatnumberofactivities inSouthAfricahave focussedon2010. Thisspecialyearhaseventuallyarrived–andforsome,abitmorerapidlythananticipated.WhenSouthAfricawonthebidtohosttheWorldCupSoccer,thisseemedlikeadistantdream.Nowtherealityofthatdreamisuponus.IhappenedtobeinLondonHeathrowshortlyafterthebidteamhadlearnedoftheirsuccessandthecelebratoryblastsofthevuvuzelaswerequiteremarkable. Muchwaterhaspassedunder thebridgesince that timeand there isnoquestion that thepromiseofhostingthissportingspectacularhasdeeplychangedthelandscapeofSouthAfrica.Thebuildingprojectshavebeenremarkable. Thanks tomuchhardwork,planningand inmanyways testimony to the technology infrastructure thatexistsinSouthAfrica,thestadiumsareready,manynewroadsandstructureshavebeencompleted(orareclosetocompletion),theGautrainhasrunitsmaidenvoyageandwenowwaitinanticipationforthegamestobegin.

ScienceandeducationinSouthAfricahavebeeninthespotlightasournationhasworkedtowardsthehostingoftheWorldCup.Theneedforqualifiedengineers,scientistsandotherskilledworkershasneverbeenmoreacute.Thishasallhappenedatatimewhentheworldhasdealtwiththeworsteconomiccrisissincethegreatdepressionofthe1930s.SouthAfricahasnotemergedfromtheeffectsoftherecessionunscathed,butithasbeenreassuringtoseethehugeamountofdevelopmentthathashappenedinthecountryduringthecourseofthelastyear.TheGovernmentinvestment,particularlyforinfrastructuredevelopmentintertiaryeducation,hasbeenimmense.Wearehopefulthatthiswillenablethecountrytoproducemanymoreofthosescience,engineeringandtechnologygraduatesthatitsosorelyneeds.AndtheNSTFmustplayamostimportantroleinensuringthatthiswillcometopass.

Thereis littlequestionthatthefinancialcrisishasreducedthelevelsoffundingavailableforresearchinthecountry.Whenfinancesaretight,budgetsarecutandoftenthemostvulnerableof thesearethosesupportingresearchanddevelopment.Thisisbecausesomeoftheseinvestmentsareperceived(oftentimesincorrectly)asnon-essential.ThisisunfortunateasthereisgoodevidencethatindustrieswithapersistentR&DstrategyoutperformthosewithirregularornoR&Dinvestmentprogrammes.Experiencesfromthegreatdepressionprovidesomevividillustrationsofthisfact.IdonotbelieveitwouldbehardtomaketheargumentthatcountrieswithrobustR&DstrategieshaveeconomiesthatoutperformthosethatdonotinvestinR&D.InSouthAfricawefacetheunfortunatechallengeofdealingwiththefactthatmanyofourindustriesprefertooutsourcetheirR&Dtogroupsoutsidethecountry.Itismyhopethatastheeconomicclimateimproves,investmentinresearchinSouthAfricawillgrowandthatthiswillcomefromboththecommercialandgovernmentsectors.

Thisyearwecelebratethe12thanniversaryoftheNSTFAwards.ThisgalaeventisanimportantpartoftheSETICalendarinSouthAfrica.Manyofthemostinfluentialrole-playersinSouthAfricahavebecomeregularsupporters,attendingandcontributingtothesuccessoftheevent,whichcontinuestogrowinstatureandrecognition.ThefocusoftheAwardsCelebrationisappropriatelyonthewinnersinthevariouscategoriesthattheNSTFwishestorecognise.Wearemostgratefultothosepeoplewhohavetakenthetimetopreparenominations.Wearealsogratefultoouradjudicationpanel,headedbytheeverenthusiasticandpassionateDenisHunt,whichhasworkedtirelesslytoselectthewinners.

An awards celebration is not possible without the support of a great number of people beyond those involved innominationsandevaluation.IwouldthusliketousetheopportunitytorecognisethesuperbservicesprovidedbyourExecutiveDirector,MsJansieNiehaus,MrsWilnaEksteen,theNSTFSecretariatandtheAwardsPublicityCommitteechairedbyMsMarieAshpoleoftheSouthAfricanInstitutionofCivilEngineering.Thisteam,alongwiththevolunteersoftheNationalYouthServiceProgrammehaveworkedtremendouslyhardandbehindthescenes,tomaketheeventasuccess.

Holdinganeventsuchasthiswouldnotbepossiblewithoutthesupportofoursponsors.ManyofthesecompaniesandinstitutionshavebeenstaunchsupportersoftheNSTFAwardseversincetheirinception.IremainconvincedthattheirsupportoftheNSTF,continuestocontributesubstantiallytopromotingSETIandthusbuildingtheSouthAfricaneconomy.Mypersonal thanks, therefore,go tooursponsors forhaving the longer-termvision tosupportus in thisendeavour.

TheofficialpatronoftheNSTFawardscelebrationistheMinisterofScienceandTechnology,theHonourableMsNalediPandor.WelookforwardtoengagingwithherandthankhersincerelyandtheDSTfortheirenthusiasticsupportoftheNSTF.

On the occasion of our 12th anniversary, I take great pleasure in celebratingwith all of our past winners. I equallycongratulatethewinnersofthese,the2009/10NSTFAwards.





Adjudication of the Awards

Thisisthe12thanniversaryoftheAwardsevent,whichcontinuestorepresentsolidrecognitionacrossallsectors,levels,genderandraceforresearchersinandcontributorstoscience,engineering,technologyandinnovation(SETI),aswellasforthewealthofresearchdoneinSouthAfricawithinthecommunitiesoftheSETIarena.

Anadjudicationpanelofindependentjudges,representingallsectorswithintheNSTFaswellastheAwardPartners,reviewed thenominations toestablish the finalistsand thewinners.Apanelofexpertswasappointed toassist theadjudicationpanelbyreviewingandprovidingvalidationoftheselectionsmade.

The adjudication panel comprised the following:

ChairofthePanel MrDenisHunt(TheSouthAfricanChamberofCommerce&Industry)BusinessSector MsKarenNel(DesignBiologix)EducationSector Prof.ChrisChimimba(UniversityofPretoriaand2007/8NSTFAward Winner); alternately Prof.PieterMarais(TshwaneUniversityofTechnology)StateCorporationsandUtilitiesSector DrDavidBrowne(Telkom)GovernmentDepartments MrIsaacRamovha(DepartmentofScienceandTechnology)ProfessionalBodies(Scientists) Prof.ExtraordinaireJohnDSkinner(TheRoyalSocietyofSouthAfrica)ProfessionalBodies(Engineers) Prof.AlexVisser(TheSouthAfricanInstitutionofCivilEngineering); alternately Prof.ElsabeKearsley(TheSouthAfricanInstitutionofCivilEngineering)CivilSocietiesandLabourSectors MrSelikiTlhabane(ProgrammeforTechnologicalCareersPROTEC)ScienceCouncilsandStatutoryBodies DrMbofhoStanleyLiphadzi,WaterResearchCommission

For the following categories:Eskomresearchcapacitydevelopers MrJohnWGosling(Eskom)Eskomresearchcapacitydevelopers MrYashinBrijmahan(Eskom)TWKambuleNRFblackresearchers MsRakeshnieRamoutar(NationalResearchFoundation(NRF))SAASTAsciencecommunicatorfor MrLorenzoRaynard(SouthAfricanAgencyforScienceandpublicawareness TechnologyAdvancement(SAASTA))Review Panel of Experts:Prof.WielandGevers NSTFAwardWinnerandpastDeputyVice-Chancellor,University ofCapeTownProf.RobinCrewe VicePrincipal,ResearchandPost-GraduateStudies,UniversityofPretoria

Backrow:Prof.JohnDSkinner,Prof.ChrisChimimba,DrDavidBrowne,MrJohnWGosling,MrYashinBrijmahan,DrMbofhoStanleyLiphadzi

FrontRow:MrLorenzoRaynard,MrIsaacRamovha,Prof.ElsabeKearsley,MsKarenNel,MrDenisHunt,MsRakeshnieRamoutarandMrSelikiTlhabane





Tribute to Dr TW Kambule

DenisHunthasservedas theChiefAdjudicatorof theNSTFAwardssince their inception in1998.For12yearshehasled,facilitatedandoverseentheadjudicationprocessandwitnessedthegrowthoftheAwardsfromtwowinnersinitially,toanaverageof13winnersperyearcurrently.ThisyearwillbringthetotalnumberofNSTFAwardwinnerstoover100.TheNSTFAwardshavesustainedtheircredibilityandgrowninprestigeamongthecommunityofscienceandtechnologypractitionersovertheyears.ThisislargelytothecreditofDenisHuntandhisPanelofAdjudicators,whosecompositionvariessomewhatfromyeartoyear.

DenisHuntmatriculatedfromPretoriaBoysHighin1956.WiththeassistanceofanEskomBursaryheattendedtheUniversityoftheWitwatersrand,graduatingwithaBScEngin1960andlateraG.D.E.in1971.

He beganwork for Eskom andworked hisway through the ranks fromEngineer and Senior Engineer to PrincipalEngineerresponsibleforPowerStationElectricalEngineering(includingdesign).In1984hewasappointedAssistantChiefEngineerElectricalandinthefollowingyearPowerStationElectricalEngineeringManager(incorporatingprocesscontrol). In1989DenisHuntwas transferred to theTechnologyStandardisationDivisionwhereheworkedona jointventureprojectbetweenEskom, the dti, andvarioususergroups todevelopcommonpurchasingspecifications inanefforttopromotestandardisationinSouthAfrica.Theprojectpublishedsome100specificationsandprovidedthefoundationforElectricitySupplyIndustrytechnologydevelopment.From1993,asEskom’sTechnologyStandardisationManager,hewasresponsibleforthepolicyandco-ordinationofEskom’sstandardisationefforts.Heretiredin1999after37yearsservice.

DenisHunt isaFellowof theSouthAfrican InstituteofElectricalEngineering(SAIEE)andaRegisteredProfessionalEngineerinSouthAfrica.HehasservedontheCounciloftheWitwatersrandTechnikonandtheCouncilofStMungo’sUnited Church where he was also a choir member. He is probably best known as City Councillor for Ward 106Johannesburg,wherehehasrepresentedtheDemocraticAlliancesince2000.In1992hewasappointedChairmanoftheSouthAfricanChamberofBusiness(SACOB)TechnologyCommittee.ItisinthatcapacitythathebecameinvolvedintheNSTFatitsinceptionin1995.

DenisHuntisa‘veteran’ontheExecutiveCommitteeoftheNSTFandcontinuestomakeasubstantialcontributiontotheorganisationasawhole.HisservicetotheNSTFhasbeenlargelyonavoluntarybasis.Heisarolemodeltousallinthewayhegivesofhisknowledge,experienceandtimesogenerously.

ThamsanqaWilkinson‘Wilky’Kambulewasfirstandforemostateacher,whodedicatedhislifetopromotingeducationamongblackchildrenandencouragingthemtostudymathematicsandscience.Hislife’sworksupportedaneducationthatconcernsitselfwith“theartofliving”andthepursuitof“asimplegoal,theperfectionofthespiritandthemasteryoflife”.Hebelievedfullythateducationisabouthumility.“Themoreeducatedyouare,themorehumbleyoushouldbecome,”hesaid.

ForKambule, teachingwas a calling and a labour of love.His teaching andmentoring nurturedmany remarkablepeople, through yearswhen inspirationand rolemodels for theblack youthwere rendered ‘invisible’ by the socio-politicaldispensation.Hebelievedinfightingforchangeontheeducationfront,evenifthiswasatgreatpersonalcosttohimself.

ArchbishopDesmondTutuwasamonghismanystudentswhohavegoneontobecomehighlyregardedleaders.Hecalledhima“brilliant”mathematicsandscienceteacherwhoinspiredhislearnerstoaimforthestars.

Despite the obstacles which apartheid put in his path, Kambule continued without fear in educating and instillingmanygenerationsofblackstudentswiththeskillsofmathematicsandtheskillsoflife.Hewasabletolinkthepursuitofknowledgewithsocietalneeds. This transformationwasabout raising theconsciousnessofapeopleand,mostimportantly,becomingtheconscienceofasociety,saidThaboMbekiin1999.

TheUniversity of theWitwatersrand awardedKambule aDoctor of Science degree in 1997 and later, in 2006, theUniversityofPretoriahonouredhimwithaDoctorateofEducation. In2002Kambulewasawarded theOrderof theBaobabingold,afittingsymbolofendurance, toleranceandvitality, forhisexceptionalcontributiontomathematicseducation,humandevelopmentandcommunityservice.

TheTWKambuleAwardswereestablishedin2003,throughapartnershipagreementbetweentheNSTF,theNationalResearchFoundation (NRF)andEskom.Subsequently, the twocategories forSeniorBlackResearchers (MaleandFemale)andDistinguishedYoungBlackResearchers(MaleandFemale)havebeensponsoredbytheNRF.

On7August2009,ThamsanqaWilkinsonKambulediedat theageof88.Hismemory liveson in theTWKambuleAwardsoftheNSTF/NRFPartnership.

Tribute to Chief Adjudicator, Denis Frank Hunt





Professor Nigel Bennett ProfessorofZoologyandEntomology,UniversityofPretoria

ForhisoutstandingcontributiontomammalogyProf.Bennett’sworkonmole-ratsisimportantbothtoourunderstandingofthephysiologicalmechanismsregulatingreproductioninmammalsandtotheevolutionofmammaliansocietiesmoregenerally.Sincemole-ratsareagroupofvertebrateswhosebreedingsystemsmostcloselyresemblethoseofeusocialinsects(suchasbeesandtermites)they(andProf.Bennett’swork)areofgreatsignificancetomanydifferentrealmsofbiology.

Professor Anusuya Chinsamy-TuranProfessorofZoology,UniversityofCapeTown

ForasustainedandinnovativecontributiontothepromotionofscienceinalldisciplinesbutparticularlyinpalaeontologyandamonggirlsProf.Chinsamy-Turan isahighlyregarded, internationally renownedpalaeobiologistwhohasutilisedherexpertiseinthewiderfieldofpalaeontology,andherpersonalexperiences,tocommunicatescienceinSouthAfrica.Shehasactivelypromotedsciencebyengagingwiththegeneralpublicthroughtalks,TVandradiopresentations,interactivedisplays, numerous articles for popular sciencemagazines and popular-level books, and has devoted particularattentiontoworkamonggirlsthroughSAWISE.In2008shepublishedthefirstchildren’sbookthatfocusedexclusivelyonAfricandinosaurs,entitled“FamousDinosaursofAfrica”(Struik).Shehasalsoutilisedherexcellentorganisationalskillstoco-ordinateandrunvariousothersciencepromotionalevents,e.g.ScienceDays,Sciencetoursetc.

Professor Maureen CoetzeeProfessor:SARChiChairinMedicalEntomologyandVectorControl,UniversityoftheWitwatersrand,andDirector:MalariaEntomologyResearchUnit,NationalInstituteforCommunicableDiseases,Johannesburg

ForhersubstantialcontributiontotheunderstandingandcontrolofmalariainAfricaFromtheresearchshestartedonAfricanmalariamosquitoesin1977,Prof.MaureenCoetzeeistodayinternationallyrecognisedasoneoftheleadingmalariaentomologistsinAfrica.SheisactivelyinvolvedinsupportingmalariacontrolprogrammesandhasinspirednumerousAfricanstudents(withinSouthAfricaandotherAfricancountries)tofurthertheirstudiesandcareersinvectorcontrol.SincethemajorSouthAfricanmalariaepidemicin1999/2000,herworkoninsecticideresistanceinmalariamosquitoeshascontributedenormouslytotheunderstandingoftheunderlyinggeneticmechanismsconferringresistanceinmosquitoesandtodevisingresistancemanagementstrategiesaswellastestingnovelmeansofcontrollingmosquitoes.

Professor Tania DouglasAssociateProfessor:BiomedicalEngineeringandDirector:MRC/UCTMedicalImagingResearchUnit,DepartmentofHumanBiology,UniversityofCapeTown

ForhercontributioninthefieldofmedicalimagingwhereshehasdevelopedtechniquesfordiagnosingfoetalalcoholsyndromeandtuberculosisProf.DouglasisaleadingSouthAfricanscholarinthefieldofmedicalimaging.Duringthepast9yearsherresearchaim has been to addressmajor public health problems in SouthAfrica. She hasworked on the development ofinnovativeinstrumentsandtechniquesfordiagnosingfoetalalcoholsyndromeandtuberculosis,andhascontributedtothedevelopmentofthemedicaldeviceindustryinSouthAfricathroughherresearchonapplicationsoflow-dosex-rayimaging.

Category-Researchanditsoutputs(overthelast5-10yearsorless)

Category-SAASTAsciencecommunicatorforpublicawareness(overthelast5years)

Category-LifetimeandCategory-Researchanditsoutputs

(overthelast5-10yearsorless)

Category-TWKambuleNRFseniorblackresearcher(overthelast5-10years)

The Finalists: Individuals

Thefinalistsineachofthecategoriesarelistedbelowtogetherwithasummaryofthecontribution.





Professor Jan GH du Preez ProfessorofChemistry(retired):NelsonMandelaMetropolitanUniversity,andSeniorResearchConsultanttoSHIMODA-BIOTECH

For a lifetime contribution in chemistry specialising in uranium base and platinum group metals and associatedtechniquesProf. du Preez has contributed through an academic life in chemistry spanning 52 years, coveringmany areas ofdevelopmentparticularlyinthefieldsofinorganicandanalyticalchemistrywithspecialisationinuraniumbasemetals,platinumgroupmetalsandmetalionseparationaswellasthedevelopmentofnewseparatingagents.Hisworkonthedevelopmentofnovelplatinumanti-canceragentsproduced5internationalpatents.Hehasoverseen92MScand38PhDdegreesandbeeninvolvedinaprodigiousoutputofpublications.

Professor Patrick G ErikssonProfessorandHead:DepartmentofGeology,UniversityofPretoria

For founding and leading a diverse and highly experienced international research group, the Global PrecambrianSedimentationSyndicate(GPSS),studyingallfacetsofthePrecambriansedimentaryrockrecordandthehistoryoftheEarthpriortoca.600millionyearsagoProf. Eriksson’s major personal contributions encompass defining the basic principles relating to Precambriansedimentationpatternsvis-à-vis thosefromtheyoungersedimentaryrecord,particularlythatitistheratesandintensitiesof the processes that have changed over geological time; and that the major first-order controls on Precambriansedimentation (and all sedimentation) involve the interaction ofmantle thermal processes andplate tectonics, andthatbotharesubjecttochronologicalchange.Hehasalsoinvestigatedtherelationshipbetweentheconceptofthemeanheightof continentsabovemeansea levelandsea level changes,Precambriansedimentarybasinevolutionand Precambrian basin dynamics in general by applying the sequence stratigraphic paradigm to the Precambriansedimentaryandbasinevolutionaryrecord.Hisworkchallengesconceptssuchasthe“greatoxidationevent”andthefirst“SnowballEarth”glaciationeventataboutthesametime.Theseareconsideredtobeanoversimplificationofamuchmorecomplexandmulti-facetedearlyearthsystem.

Professor Jill FarrantProfessorofMolecularCellBiology,UniversityofCapeTown

ForacontributiontothestudyofplantdesiccationtoleranceonplantsuniquetoSouthAfricainordertoimprovedroughtresistanceandfoodsecurityProf.Farrantisarecognisedworldleaderinthefieldofplantdesiccationtolerance.Theresearchisnovelinthatitisconductedonuniqueplants(tolerantof lossof>95%watercontent)endemictosouthernAfrica,onmultiple tissuetypes,usingamultidisciplinaryapproachandhasfundamentalandappliedoutcomes.HerworkisaimedatproducingdroughttolerantcropsforuseinAfrica,offeringasolutiontofoodshortageandmitigatingthepotentialeffectsofclimatechange.

Mr Derek FishDirector:UnizulScienceCentre,KwaZulu-Natal

ForanoutstandingcontributiontosciencecommunicationinruralKwaZulu-NatalDerekFishisahouseholdnameinsouthernAfricainthefieldofsciencecommunication.For17yearshehasexcelledinallareasincludingscienceshowsandtalks,exhibits,games,printandgraphicmediaanddramaamongothers.Inadditiontopersonalexcellence,hehasgreatlyenhancedthefieldthroughthetraining,workshopsandsupporthehasprovided through theScienceCentre (SC)network (SAASTEC), the InstituteofPhysics,ScienceFestivalsandotheravenues.ThisrecognitionextendsbeyondSouthAfricawherehehasgivenpresentationsoneverycontinent.Whilehehaspresentedatthehighestlevelsaroundtheglobe,thebulkofthiscommunicationexcellencehasbeenprovidedforpupilsinseverelydisadvantagedruralschools.

Category-Lifetime

Category-Lifetime

Category-LifetimeandCategory-Researchanditsoutputs

(overthelast5-10yearsorless)






Professor Diane HildebrandtDistinguishedProfessor:SustainableDevelopmentandDirector:CentreforMaterialandProcessSynthesis,UniversityoftheWitwatersrand

Foracontributionininnovativechemicalprocessdesign,uniqueintheworldsuchthatAfricacanbeseentobeleadingthewayinareassuchasoilandfoodfromwaste-solvingthreeproblemswithonegroundbreakingapproachProf.Hildebrandtandherteamhavemadesignificantadvancesinthewaythatchemicalprocessescanbedesigned.Thishas thepotential tohaveanextraordinary impacton theenergyefficiencyandcarbondioxideemissions fromchemical and fuelmanufacturing plants. In this era of climate change and diminishing fossil fuel resources this isa significant contribution. Thework has thepotential to havea large impact for developing countries andAfrica inparticular.Themodular(laptop)ratherthanthecurrentmega-plantapproach(mainframe)alsoenablesonetoviewsuchfeed-stocksasmunicipalwasteasaresourceratherthanaproblem.

Mr Robert InglisDirector:JiveMediafortheMalotiDrakensbergExperience,andfortheMissionMeerKATComicSeries,Pietermaritzburg,KwaZulu-Natal

For a contribution to the development of the discipline of science communication through innovative and excitingmediaTheMalotiDrakensbergExperienceisacaptivatingandhighlyvisual,yetpracticalbook,researchedoversome5years,writtenandpublishedbyJiveMediatounlockthenaturalandculturaltreasuresoftheMalotiDrakensbergMountainregion.Withitsfocusonarangeofsciencedisciplinesincludingsocialandculturalaspects,ornithology,biodiversityand even engineering exploits, it promotes sustainable community based tourism to this cross-border region. TheMissionMeerKATComicSeries,consistingof two8-pagecomicbooksand6 largepull-upbanners, illuminates theworldofradioastronomyforpublicaudiencesaroundSouthAfrica.Throughtheadventuresofthecomiccharacters,thescientificandtechnicalinformationaroundtheKarooArrayTelescope(KAT),currentlybeingbuiltnearCarnarvonintheNorthernCape,isunlocked,sheddinglightontheproposedSquareKilometreArray(SKA)–thelargestradiotelescopeeverdesigned,whichSouthAfricaiscurrentlybiddingtohost.

Mr David KramerCEO:Sci-BonoDiscoveryCentre,Newtown,Johannesburg

ForasubstantialcontributiontothecommunicationofscienceininnovativewaystoawideaudienceTheSci-BonoDiscoveryCentre,underthedirectorshipofDavidKramer,isanindependentnon-profitSection21companyandthelargestsciencecentreinSouthernAfrica.Itsgoalsaretostimulateengagementwithscienceandtechnology,toimproveteachingandlearninginmathematics,scienceandtechnology(MST)andtoincreaseinterestinpost-schoolcareersinSET.ItdoesthisbyofferingalargecollectionofinteractiveSETexhibitsandanannualcalendarofSETeventsandactivities for thegeneralpublicbutmostly forschool learnersand teachers. It runsanoutreachprogramme indisadvantagedschools,anMSTteacheracademy,anICTtrainingcentreandtheBHPBillitonCareerCentre.In2009,Sci-Bonohostednearly150000visitorsandserved30000schoollearnersthroughitsoutreachprogramme.

Professor Oluwole Daniel MakindeSeniorProfessor:ChairofPost-graduateStudies,FacultyofEngineering,CapePeninsulaUniversityofTechnology

ForhissuccessinresearchinmathematicalmodellingandcomputationaswellasresearchcapacitydevelopmentinchallengingenvironmentsProf.Makinde’sdrive,over-and-abovehisownresearchworkintheareasoftheoreticalfluidmechanics,mathematicalmodellingofbiologicalandengineeringsystems,nonlineardynamicsystemsandcomputationalmathematics,wastoestablishaCentreofExcellenceat theUniversityofLimpopo.Themainobjectiveofhis researchwork is tousemathematicaltheories&methodologiestogaininsightsintothedynamicsofvariousengineering&biologicalsystemswhichareofindustrial,environmental&socialinterest.TheCentreofExcellencehasproducedmanygraduatesfrompreviouslydisadvantagedbackgroundswhocanbefoundinresearchinstitutions,inthewaterresourcesandforestrysectors,theminingsectorandothers,wheretheyhavemadeuseofthescienceandtechnologicalinnovationtechniquesthattheyacquiredinthecourseoftheirtrainingtoimprovethequalityoflifeforSouthAfricansbygeneratingwealthforthepeopleofSouthAfrica.


Category-TWKambuleNRFseniorblackresearcher(overthelast5-10years)and

Category-Eskomresearchcapacitydevelopers







Dr Nokwanda P MakungaSeniorLecturer:DepartmentofBotanyandZoology,UniversityofStellenbosch

ForacontributiontothedevelopmentofalternativesourcesofmetabolitesformodernmedicineMedicinalplantbiotechnologyisanewparadigmintheSouthAfricanandtheAfricancontextaswhole,asagriculturalcropswerethemaintargetsforhigh-endtechnologicalapplications.Usingaconservation-through-cultivationstrategyDrMakungaandherteamareabletoensurethesustainableuseofbiodiversityresourceswhilstaddingvaluetoanancientknowledgesystemofmedicinalplantusesothatitremainshighlyreveredandrelevantincontemporarysociety.Reliance onmateriamedica for livelihood and health-security poses biodiversity constraints as nature remains theprimarysourcefortheseplantsthatareextractedindiscriminatelyfromthewild.Theworkhasculminatedininteresting,unique,transgenicplantlineswhichactasbiofactoriesprovidingsustainablealternativesforsought-aftermetaboliteswhicharevitalforhuman-health.

Dr Rapela Regina MaphangaMaterialsModellingCentre,UniversityofLimpopo

ForacontributiontothecomputationalmodellingofmaterialsparticularlyforelectrolyticmanganesedioxideDrMaphanga isasenior researcher in the fieldofcomputationalmodellingofmaterials.Shehashandledcomplexresearchproblems,usingavarietyofcomputationalmodellingmethods. Inparticular sheusesacuttingedgeandrare techniquecalled the “amorphisationand recrystallisation” (AandR)method.Anevolutionary simulatedAandR method generates atomistic models for electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) which captures much of themicrostructureassociatedwith thecomplexEMD.ElectrochemicalpropertiesofEMDaregovernedby the richandcomplexmicrostructureitaccommodates.Sheisactivelyparticipatinginprojectstomotivatelearners,especiallygirls,topursuecareersinscience,engineeringandtechnology.

Professor Barend (Ben) MaraisAssociateProfessor:DepartmentofPaediatricsandChildHealth,FacultyofHealthSciences,UniversityofStellenbosch

Forhiscontributiontoraisingglobalawarenessandforidentifyingpragmaticsolutionstoimproveservicedeliverytochildrenaffectedbytuberculosisinresource-limitedsettingsChildhood tuberculosis (TB) has long been neglected as amajor cause ofmorbidity andmortality among Africanchildren. Studies conducted by Prof. Marais and his unit helped raise global awareness and identified pragmaticsolutions to improve service delivery to affected children.Children provide unique epidemiological insight to betterunderstandTBtransmissiondynamicswithincommunities, theemergenceofdrugresistantTBandtheevolutionofdifferentMycobacteriumtuberculosisstrains.Apartfromgeneratingrelevantnewknowledge,emphasiswasplacedonknowledgedissemination,capacitybuildingandadvocacyforchildrenwithTBby,forexample,hostingregularChildTBtrainingworkshopsincollaborationwiththeInternationalUnionAgainstTuberculosisandLungDisease(IUATLD).

Professor Tshilidzi MarwalaProfessorandExecutiveDean:FacultyofEngineeringandBuiltEnvironment,UniversityofJohannesburg

ForhisowncontributionstothedevelopmentofcomputationaltoolsandsuccessesinresearchcapacitydevelopmentProf.Marwala is involved in thedevelopmentofasetof intelligentcomputer tools thatareusedtomonitorbridges,buildingsandindustrialprocesses.Thesetoolshaverecentlybeenfoundtobeusefulinthemedicalfield.Examplesofmedicalapplicationsincludethedetectionofepilepsy.Hisworkhasbeenpublishedandcitedinmanyinternationaljournalsandhasattractedattention fromnumerousprestigiouscentres including thegovernmentofFlorida.Recentapplicationsofthetechniquesincludethedevelopmentofacomputertooltopredictinter-stateconflict.Newworkinthegroupismentioned.Thelistofstudentsisimpressive.



Category-TWKambuleNRFdistinguishedyoungblackresearcher

(overthelast2-5years)







Professor Debra MeyerProfessorofBiochemistry,UniversityofPretoria

ForacontributionthroughresearchtodevelopingnovelHIVtreatments,prognosticmarkersandvaccinecomponentsProf.MeyerhasauniqueapproachtoHIV/AIDSresearchandeducationinvolvingmultidisciplinarycollaborations.HerresearchgrouppioneeredtheuseofclassicalanalyticalchemistrytoolsinthestudyofHIV/AIDSleadingtofirsttimepublicationsonbiofluidmetabonomicsfordistinguishingHIVinfectedindividualsfromcontrolsanddemonstratingtheeffectofmetalsonHIV-infection.Alongwithcollaborators,Prof.Meyercontributedtotheanalysisofthefirstmetallo-drug,abletosimultaneouslyinhibittwoHIVenzymes,andidentifiedseveralmoreanti-HIVmetallo-drugs.Theworkdoneinherlaboratoryalsocontributestoidentifyingpotentialvaccinecandidatesandidentifyingnovelprognosticmarkers.As an educator she uses the novel pedagogical approach of teaching science ‘through’ the doorway or lens of apressing,unsolvedsocialproblemlikeHIV/AIDS.

Dr Ashraf MohammedHeadofDepartment:HIV/AIDSUnit,CapePeninsulaUniversityofTechnology

TheresultsofhisresearchhaveledtomodifiednationalhealthscreeningguidelinesinthemanagementofTBTheresultsofresearchintheHIV/AIDSUnitatCPUTpublishedinInternationalUnionAgainstTuberculosisandLungDisease(IULTD),haveinfluencedpublichealthpolicyandprovidedtheevidencewhichledtotheissuingofthecurrenttuberculosis (TB)screeningguidelines foractiveTBbeforeadministeringTBpreventive therapyamongpeoplewithadvancedHIV-disease(oneofthekeyprioritiesforTBcontrol).ThisisoneofthestudiesselectedbytheWorldHealthOrganization(WHO)toconductasystematicreview.Arandomisedplacebo-controlledstudyontheuseof isoniazid(INH)administeredtopreventTBamongpeoplewithadvancedHIVinfection,hasshownthatthereisnobenefit.Theseresultshavebeenvalidatedbyotherresearchersandwillalsoinforminternationalpolicyinthisimportantarea.

Professor Fulufhelo V NelwamondoSeniorResearchScientistandResearchGroupLeader(CompetencyArea:InformationSecurity):CouncilforScientificandIndustrialResearch,Pretoria;Post-doctoralFellow,HarvardUniversity,USA

ForacontributiontothesolutionoftheproblemofmissingdataestimationinonlinecontrolapplicationsDrFulufheloNelwamondoaddressestheproblemofmissingdatainonlineapplications,wherethedatacanalsobenon-stationary,orevenheteroskedastic.Asitiswellknown,theuseofinferentialsensorsisacommontaskinonlinefaultdetectioninvariouscontrolapplications.Aproblemariseswhensensorsfailwhilethecontrolsystemisdesignedtomakeadecisionbasedonthedatafromthosesensors.Thebiggestchallengeisthatthestandardcomputationalintelligencetechniquesarenotable toprocess inputdatawithmissingvaluesandhence,cannot takepart indecisionmakingwhensomeinputdataaremissing.DrNelwamondoaddressedthisproblemthroughdepthandderivedcomputationalintelligencemodels formissingdataestimation.Hehadalsoappliedsomeofhismethods tosolve theproblemofmissingdatainareasofnationalprioritysuchaspowersupplyandHIVmodelling.Themannerinwhichcomputationaltechniquescanbeappliedtosolvethemissingdataproblemhasopenednewresearchavenuesinthefield.

Professor Deresh RamjugernathProfessor:SARChiFluorineProcessEngineeringandSeparationTechnologyandProfessor:ChemicalEngineering,UniversityofKwaZulu-Natal

ForasubstantialcontributiontothedevelopmentofresearchcapacityinthefieldofthermodynamicsresearchProf.Ramjugernathhas,inthelast5-10years,establishedtheThermodynamicsResearchUnitatUKZNastheleadingresearchgroupinthecountry inchemical thermodynamicsandseparation.Hehasbeeninstrumental indevelopingresearchcapacityintheSchoolofChemicalEngineeringandtheFacultyofEngineeringatUKZNinhisroleasDean’sassistant:ResearchandPostgraduateStudiesandmoredirectlyinhisroleasSouthAfricanResearchChair:FluorineProcessEngineeringandSeparationTechnologyandDirectorof theThermodynamicsResearchUnit. Thegroup isundertakingcuttingedgeresearchthatiscontributingtowardschemicalprocessdevelopmentandoptimisationinSouthAfricaandabroad.Inthelast10yearshehassuccessfullyoverseenthegraduation48MastersandPhDstudentsandiscurrentlysupervisingorco-supervising32postgraduatestudents.Duringthisperiodhe,alongwithhisstudents,hasproducedinexcessof160conferenceandjournalpapers.

Category-Researchanditsoutputs(overthelast5-10yearsorless)and

Category-TWKambuleNRFseniorblackresearcher(overlast5-10years)

Category-TWKambuleNRFseniorblackresearcher(overlast5-10years)








Professor ME Christine ReyProfessorofMicrobiology:SchoolofMolecularandCellBiology,UniversityoftheWitwatersrand

Forhercontributiontoresearchcapacitydevelopmentthroughthementoringof8blackMScstudents(with9current)and5blackPhDstudents(with3current)overthelasttenyears,andatotalof82postgraduatestudentsoverher25yearcareer,frombothSouthAfricaandmanyothersub-SaharanAfricancountriesProf.ReywasHeadoftheSchoolofMolecularandCellBiologyatWitsfor10yearsandisco-leader(withProf.RamsayfromHealthSciences)oftheResearchThrustofMolecularBiosciencesandtheSydneyBrennerInstituteforMolecularBiosciences.She isanactive researcher in the fieldofPlantBiotechnology, focusingonplant virologyandgeneticengineeringofcropsforvirusresistance.Shehassupervised8blackMScstudents(with9current)and5blackPhDstudents (with3current)over the last tenyearsanda totalof42MScandPhDstudentsand40Honoursstudentsoverhercareer.SheservesontheadvisoryboardoftheAfricanCentreforGeneTechnology,ontheTaskForceoftheOrganisationforEconomicCo-operativeDevelopment(OECD)forSafetyofNovelFoodsandFeed,andhasservedontheNationalScienceandTechnologyForumformanyyears.ShewasawardedaSantedprojectforstrengtheningofcapacity inbiotechnologyat tertiary institutions in theSADC region.Shehasalsocreatedan innovativeMastersprogrammeinentrepreneurialBiotechnologyatWits,whichhasgraduatedover24MScstudentsinthepast10years,andwhichrecentlyattractedfundingfromtheGautengDepartmentofAgricultureandRuralDevelopment.

Professor Heinz RodeEmeritusProfessor:PaediatricSurgery,RedCrossHospital,UniversityofCapeTown

Forasubstantivecontributionover35yearstothescienceandpracticeofburncareparticularlyofchildrenEmeritusProfessorRodehasmadeasubstantivecontributiontothescienceandpracticeofburncaresince1975.Hiscontributionsinclude35yearsofburncaretochildrenattheRedCrossWarMemorialChildren’sHospitalandfurtherafield.Throughhisworkhehassetprinciplesandstandardsanddevelopednewandnovelideasandprocesses.HeisacknowledgedastheleadingpaediatricburnspecialistinSouthAfrica,hasbeenrecognisedinEurope,AustraliaandNewZealand,andhasalsointroducedtheinternationalAustralianNewZealandBurnAssociation(ANZBA)emergencymanagementofsevereburnscourseintoSouthAfricafornurses,professionsalliedtomedicineanddoctors.

Professor Andreas RoodtOutstandingProfessor:DepartmentofChemistry,UniversityoftheFreeState

ForacontributiontochemistryinthefieldofreactionkineticsandreactionmechanismsProf.Roodt’sworkisinreactionkineticsandreactionmechanismsinchemistry.Theapproachmoredirectlyfocusesontime-basedstudiesfollowingcompletecharacterisationofreactantsproductsandidentifyingtheintimatereactionmechanismsandintermediates,bothbyexperimentandbyutilisationoftheoreticalcalculations.HehelpedtoexpandChemistryattheUniversityoftheFreeStatebyco-establishinginternal,external,industrialandothernetworksproducingcontributionstotallingmorethanR80milliontoresearch.

Dr Martie van der WaltInterimDirector:TBEpidemiologyandInterventionResearchUnit,MedicalResearchCouncil

Foraresearchcontributioninthefieldofmulti-drugresistant(MDR)andnon-drugresistant(XDR)TBinSouthAfricathatreducedtheturnaroundtimesofdiagnosingandtreatingMDR-TBpatientsfrombetween2and4monthsto7daysDrvanderWalt ledacountry-wide, large-scaledemonstrationprojectaimedat re-tooling theNationalTuberculosisControlProgramme(NTCP)fortherapiddiagnosisofmulti-drugresistanttuberculosis(MDR-TB)inSouthAfrica,partofamulti-countryinternationalresearchproject.Shewastheprincipalinvestigatorforthe“EffectivenessofrapidassaysforRifampicinResistanceforpresumptiveMDR-TBdiagnosisinsmearpositivespecimensofpatientsinhighTBburdencountries”.ThesuccessfulimplementationofthenewdiagnostictoolforearlierdetectionanddiagnosisofMDR-TBhasleadtobetterpatienttreatmentoutcomesandadecreaseinmortality.ThemajorbenefitsofrapidMDR-TBdiagnosisincludetherulingoutofdrug-resistanceamongproblematicsensitivecasesandreducedturn-around-timeforXDR-TBdiagnosis.


Category-Lifetime







Dr Brian van WilgenChiefEcologist:CouncilforScientificandIndustrialResearch,Pretoria

ForalifetimecontributiontotheimprovementofnaturalecosystemmanagementpoliciesandpracticesDrvanWilgen’scareerspans35years,duringwhichhehasconductedresearchintotheecologyandmanagementoffire-proneecosystems,andtheecologyandmanagementofinvasivealienplants.HisworkwascarriedoutattheSAForestryResearchInstituteandlaterattheCSIR,whereheiscurrentlyaChiefEcologistandCSIRResearchFellow.Hehasdevelopedevidence-basedprescriptions for the useof fire in fynbos, savannaandgrasslandecosystems.Hisworkontheimpactsofinvasivealienplantsonecosystemservices,notablywaterresources,wasinstrumentalinmotivatingfortheestablishmentofthemulti-billionrandWorkingforWaterProgramme,anawardwinningpoverty-reliefprogramme,whichemploys20000people,andhasclearedhundredsofthousandsofhectaresofinvasivealienplants,withsignificantecologicalbenefits.

Professor Marietjie VenterHead:RespiratoryVirusUnit,NationalInstituteofCommunicableDiseases,andAssociateProfessor:RespiratoryandZoonoticVirusProgramme,DepartmentofMedicalVirology,UniversityofPretoria

Forherworkonrespiratoryandemergingneurologicalvirusesassociatedwithpneumoniaandencephalitis, leadingcausesofdeathworldwideProf.VenterpublishedthefirststudyonthemolecularepidemiologyofRespiratorySyncytialVirus(RSV)inSouthAfrica,themost important viralcauseofpneumonia inbabies, identifiedseveralnewgenotypes,explainedwhyoutbreaksoccur every year and investigated the association andmolecular epidemiology ofmany new viruses in respiratorydisease inSouthAfrica includingthepandemicH1N1InfluenzaAoutbreak.HerworkonWestNileVirus(WNV)hasraisedawarenessinternationallyofthediseasepotentialofsouthernAfricanWNVstrainsinhumansandanimalsanddefinedWNVforthefirsttimeasacauseoffatalencephalitisinhorsesinsouthernAfrica.

Professor Xiaohua XiaProfessorandDirector:NationalHubforthePost-graduateProgrammeinEnergyEfficiencyandDemandSideManagement,DepartmentofElectrical,ElectronicandComputerEngineering,UniversityofPretoria

ForcontributionstothemodellingandcontrolofcomplexsystemsinthefieldofelectricalengineeringProf.Xiaisaresearcherwithawiderangeofimpactinareasofcontrolsystemsandtheirapplicationsinengineering,biology,medicineandeducation.Hehastackledproblemsofkeyimportanceinthemodellingandcontrolofcomplexsystemsaswellasappliedresearchinthecontrolofheavyhaultrainsandcellularlevelmodellingofthedynamicsofbiomedicalsystems.Hehasplayedanessential role in theUNESCOprogrammeofmainstreamingofHIV/AIDSforPhysical,BiologicalandEngineeringSciencesinfiveAfricancountries.Prof.XiachairstheTechnicalCommitteeofNon-linearSystemsoftheInternationalFederationofAutomaticControl.

Category-Lifetime







Biomedical Engineering Research Group (BERG)DepartmentofMechanicalandMechatronicEngineering,UniversityofStellenbosch

ForoutstandinginnovationinthefieldofbiomedicalengineeringProf.CornieSchefferfromtheDepartmentofMechanicalandMechatronicEngineeringattheUniversityofStellenboschUniversityinitiatedtheBiomedicalEngineeringResearchGroup(BERG)in2005.Underhisleadership,thegrouphasgrownsignificantly andhasdevelopednumerous innovativemedical devicesand technologiesaimedat improvinghealthcaredelivery.Since2007,Prof.Schefferhasfiledsixpatentsandpublished36scientificresearchpaperstogetherwithhisstudentsandcollaborators.Themedicalinnovationsdevelopedunderhisleadershipincludeimprovedmethodsofbio-signalprocessing,medicalimplants,instrumentation,patientmonitoringandsurgicalrobotics.Severaloftheseinnovationsarespecificallyaimedatimprovingprimaryhealthcaredeliverytoruralandunder-servedcommunities.

BioPAD Metagenomics PlatformDepartmentofMicrobial,BiochemicalandFoodTechnology,UniversityoftheFreeState

Foruniquestudiesandresearchintothesub-surfacebiosphereinSouthAfricaTheBioPADUFSMetagenomicsPlatform,undertheleadershipofProf.EstavanHeerden(platformmanager),JacobusAlbertyn, Derek Litthauer and Dr Lizelle Piater, is studying the unique sub-surface biosphere in South Africa. Theresearchteaminvestigatesthebiodiversityasdeepas4kilometresbelowthesurface.Thefindingofnewandimprovedcatalystsandgeneproducts,aswellasspecialisedmicroorganisms,isaddressedthroughgeochemicalanalysisandbiodiversityassessment.Thisiscoupledtotheconstructionofmetagenomiclibrariesaswellasgenome,transcriptomeorreactomeanalysis.Inconcert,theseallowtheidentificationofuniquegenesorgeneproductsthatcaneventuallybeexpressedandimprovedforbiotechnologicalapplications.Continuedresearchhasalsoledtotheapplicationofuniquemicroorganismsinthebioremediationofmetalcontaminatedsites.

Category-Researchforinnovationbyateamorindividualinacorporateorganisation


The Finalists: Research for Innovation by an individual or a team through an Organisation/Institution

Thefinalistsineachofthecategoriesarelistedbelowtogetherwithasummaryofthecontribution.

Centre for Materials and Process Synthesis TeamUniversityoftheWitwatersrand

Foracontributionininnovativechemicalprocessdesign,uniqueintheworldsuchthatAfricacanbeseentobeleadingtheway throughpilot plants inChinaandAustralia solving threeproblemswithonegroundbreakingapproach forexampleinoilandfoodfromwasteTheCOMPSteamundertheleadershipofProf.DianeHildebrandt,Prof.DavidGlasserandDrBrendonHausbergerhas,throughitsgroundbreakingresearch,beeninstrumentalindevisinganewdesignmethodologyandinaremarkablyshorttimeusingittobuild,commissionandoperateapilotplantinChinaanddesignademonstrationplantinAustralia.Theability todothis insuchashort time in theconservativechemicalandfuelmaking industry isunique,as is thefactthatithasbeendonebyauniversityresearchcentre.Over-and-abovethis,thenewmethodsandideashavethepotential to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions aswell as to preserve precious fossil fuel reserves,withsignificantimpactforAfrica.COMPSandAfricaareleadingthewayinnewmodularreducedcarbondioxideemittingprocesses.

Category-ResearchforinnovationbyateamorindividualinaNot-for-ProfitOrganisation(NPO),

Non-GovernmentalOrganisation(NGO)orCommunityBasedOrganisation(CBO)





ConRoast Project Team Mintek,Johannesburg

Mintek’sConRoastprocessoffersarobust,cleaner,andsafertechnologyfortheplatinumsmeltingindustry,especiallyfortreatingconcentratesfromtheUG2reefTheConRoastProcess,developedandpatentedbyMintek,offerstheplatinumindustryincreasedmetalrecovery,lowerS02emissions,andimprovedfurnacereliabilityforchromite-bearingplatinumores,andofferssignificantimprovementsoverthemattesmeltingprocesscurrentlyemployed.ThetechnologyhasbeenlicensedtoBraemorePlatinum,whichplanstooffer theplatinumindustry thesebenefitsbybuildingandoperatinganumberof furnace installations,eacharound10MW,insuitablelocations.Theprocesshasbeensuccessfullydemonstratedonasemi-commercialscale,andplansforfullcommercialimplementationarewelladvanced.


Furnace Control Team Mintek,Johannesburg

For Mintek’s commercially successful Minstral submerged-arc furnace control system which achieves improvedrecoveriesandelectricalefficienciesinferro-alloyfurnacesMintek’sMinstralsubmerged-arcfurnacecontrolsystemovercomesthechronicproblemsintroducedbytheelectrodecurrentinteractionbetweentheelectrodesunderconventionalcontroltechniques.Bymodellingtheelectrode-to-bathresistancewithoutrequiringaconnectiontothefurnacehearth,itelectricallydecouplestheelectrodes,enablingindividualcontrolandalleviationoftheseproblems.Themodelalsofacilitatesdifferentialtappingofthefurnacetransformerstooptimisepowerinputtothefurnaceandcompensatesforunbalancedconditions.Thissystemhasbeensuccessfullyinstalledonover100furnacesworldwide.Itprovidesmorestablecontrolandoptimaluseofavailablepower,resultinginimprovedrecoveriesandelectricalefficienciesinferro-alloyfurnaceswhicharecriticaltoSouthAfrica’scompetitiveedgeinthelightofthepresentelectricitysupplycrisis.


Cyanide Centre Team CentreofExcellenceforMiningRelatedServices,Mintek,Johannesburg

Forprovidingproductsandservices tominimise therisksassociatedwith theuseofcyanide in theproductionandminingofgoldMintek’steamofscientistsandengineers,incollaborationwiththegoldminingindustry,hasdevelopedauniquesetofproductsandservicestoassistwithriskminimisationintheuseofcyanide.Theknowledgegeneratedduringearlyphasesofresearchwasappliedtoproduceon-lineanalysers,assistwithcomplianceauditsanddischargemonitoringservicesbasedonaccreditedanalysis.TheseproductsandservicesfoundacceptanceandareappliedthroughoutthegoldminingindustryofAfricaandfurtherafield.WhilstsubstantialamountsofrevenueweregeneratedforMintek(thussupportingthesustainabilityoffurtherresearchandbusinessdevelopment),industrybenefitedfromreducedreagentadditions,minimisedriskexposureandthefacilitationofreachingcompliancewiththerequirementsoftheInternationalCyanideManagementCode,allofwhichareaimedatimprovingsustainability.Thesuccessencouragesduplicationofthedevelopmentmodelintootherareasofimprovedsustainability.






Sci-Bono Discovery Centre Team and CEO, Mr David Kramer Sci-BonoDiscoveryCentre,Newtown,Johannesburg

ForasubstantialcontributiontothecommunicationofscienceininnovativewaystoawideaudienceseefulldescriptionunderIndividuals

OSCAR-4 TeamSouthAfricanNuclearEnergyCorporation(Necsa),Pelindaba

ForthelatestversionoftheOSCARreactorcalculationalsoftwaresystem,OSCAR-4,releasedinSeptember2009duringan internationalworkshopatNecsa,whichprovides fastandaccuratenuclear reactorsimulationswithunparalleledefficiencyTheOSCAR nuclear reactor calculational software package has been incrementally developed over 20 years. Thiscutting edge, advanced reactor simulator provides critical parameters for the safe and productive operation andlicensingofmodernresearchreactors.Assuch,thepackageistheprimarycalculationaltoolfortheSAFARI-1researchreactoroperatedbyNecsainSouthAfrica,whichiswidelyacceptedasthebestcommercialisedresearchreactorintheworld,givenitsrefocustowardmedicalisotopeproduction.DuetosignificantenhancementsoftheOSCARsystemandastronginternationaleffort throughcooperationandpublication,OSCARhasalsobecometheprimarycalculationalsystemfor3reactorsoverseas.Inrecentyearsafocusseddevelopmentefforttoimprovethequalityandinternationalexposureofthesystemculminatedinthereleaseofthenewestversionofthesystem,OSCAR-4,duringaninternationalworkshopinSeptember2009atNecsa.




Professor John Parkington Professor:DepartmentofArchaeology,ClanwilliamLivingLandscapeProject,UniversityofCapeTown

TheClanwilliamLivingLandscapeProjectusesresearchasthebasisforcommunityempowermentintheCederberg,intheformoftraining&jobopportunities,sustainabletourism,andanevolvingschoolcurriculumTheClanwilliamLivingLandscapeProject(CLLP)isaninitiativegroundedinresearchandfieldworkintheCederberg,whichusesresearchasthebasisforcommunityempowermentintheformoftrainingandjobopportunities,sustainabletourism,andanevolvingschoolcurriculum.ThestartingpointofCLLPisthehistorical,archaeological,palaeontologicalandgeologicalheritageofthenorthernCederberg,sothatthelandscapeoftheareaisitselfthebasisforcommunicationandempowerment. Interactionwithschools isbasedonbest internationalpractice inheritageeducation, in that thenaturalcontextoftheplaceandtheartifactsareusedtogenerateexcitementandbuildunderstanding.Integraltotheprojectarethecreationofopportunitiesforemploymentthroughthedevelopmentofawiderangeofskillsrelatedtocrafts,tourguiding,andcatering.



Mr David ReyndersPocitDivision,TradebridgePty(Ltd),Johannesburg

ForhisleadroleinthePocitsolution;amobilepaymentapplicationthatisrevolutionisingthewaypeopleandmerchantspayandreceivemoneyinSouthAfricaandhasthepotentialtotransformthelivesoftheunbankedDavidReyndersdrovetheideageneration,productdevelopment,strategyandbusinesscaseforthePocitsolution.Pocitisauniquelysecure,cellphone-basedpaymentapplicationthatallowsanyonetomakeandreceivepaymentsdirectlyfromtheircellphone.ItrevolutionisesthewaypaymentsaremadeinSouthAfricabytransformingbillpresentmentandpaymentformerchants,providingtheultimateinsimplicityand“anywhere,anytime”convenience,reducingthecostandimprovingaccessibilitytotransactionsforevery-daySouthAfricans.Pocit’ssoontobeimplementedsolutionforthe“unbanked”willtransformlivesbyprovidingthe“disprin”forthecurrentlocalremittanceheadacheandbyprovidingcosteffectiveaccesstoformalfinancialservices.

Category-ResearchforinnovationbyateamorindividualinaSmall,Medium

andMicroEnterprise(SME)





The Brilliants Programme for our future Innovators

ForAchieversinScience,Technology,EducationandMathematics(STEM)

Thequalityofschooleducation,especiallyinSTEM,isofgreatconcerntoallSouthAfricans,inparticularthebusinessandSETIcommunities.Thishasbeencompoundedbytheeconomicrecessionexperiencedinthepastyear,whichresultedininsufficientresearchfundingforSETI,impactingheavilyontheeducationdomain.Furthermore,movementsinthepoliticalarenacontributedtouncertaintiesatuniversitiesandschoolswhichneedtounderstandandreacttotheneweducationcurriculum.

TheBrilliantsProgramme,initiallyknownastheEducationRecognitionProgramme,wasstartedbytheNSTFin2003andisnow,morethanever,pressedtodeliveronitsmissiontoidentify,recogniseandnurturetalentfromtheschooleducationsectorandtoexposetheseyoung‘Brilliants’totheprofessionalresearchenvironmentthroughtheAwardsevent.Theprogrammeisdesignedtomotivatetalentinordertorealisefullpotential,encourageyoungtalenttotakeupcareersinSETI,assistthembyprovidingcareerguidance,andseeksupportthroughbursariestoenablethemtostudyfurtherinSET.

TheNSTFhoststhetopachieversfromtheschooleducationsectorattheAwardsGalaDinnerunderthefollowingcategories:

TopperformersinthemajorScience,Technology,Engineering,andMathematicsCompetitionsandOlympiads;•TopperformersinMathematicsandScienceinGrade12in2009-Maleandafemalefromeachofthenine•provinces;TopeducatorsinMathematics,ScienceandTechnology;•TopperformingschoolsinMathematicsandScience–asidentifiedbytheNSTFandthenineprovincial•DepartmentsofEducation;andBursariesforSETIundergraduatestudentsfromtheDSTIncentiveScheme-sponsoredby• the dtiandTHRIPprogramme.

TheTop18MatriculantsarecurrentlystudyingatvariousuniversitiesacrossthecountrywiththeexceptionofonewhowillbestudyingatYaleUniversitylaterthisyear.TheyareallpursuingSETrelateddegreesandfiveareinneedofbursaries.

ThepassionanddedicationoftheseachieversarecapturedinthewordsofPietNdimande,oneofthetopmatriculants:“MydreamhasalwaysbeentobecomeaprofessionalEngineer.Ienjoyworkingwithgroupsofpeopleandfrommyunderstanding,EngineeringisaboutgroupsofpeoplecomingtogethertodevelopSouthAfrica’sinfrastructure.InordertoachievethisgoalIknewIhadtoworkextremelyhard.Fromgrade10onwardsIhaveworkedatmyhighestpotentialtowardsthisonegoal.”Heisoneofthefivestudentswhodonothavesufficientfundingtocontinuewithhisstudies.





The top performing schools in Mathematics and Science in South Africa, as sponsored by the Department of Basic Education

MetropolitanRaucall(Gauteng)

HoërskoolRustenburg(NorthWest)

HoërskoolNoord-kaap(NorthernCape)

SouthPeninsulaHighSchool(WesternCape)

DurbanGirls’HighSchool(KwaZulu-Natal)

EuniceGirls’HighSchool(FreeState)

StJohnsCollege(EasternCape)

MbilwiSecondarySchool(Limpopo)

LowveldHighSchool(Mpumalanga)





BrentAndrewHarrison JulieBotha DiederickJohannesvanderWesthuizen(EasternCape) (EasternCape) (FreeState)

JakolienAdrianaStrauss KyleCloete LiangYu(FreeState) (Gauteng) (Gauteng)

HalalaNkosinathiMbatha HeatherPrince ZwangaRatombo(KwaZulu-Natal) (KwaZulu-Natal) (Limpopo)

GetruidaBlignaut PietNdimande AndreaBelzar(Limpopo) (Mpumalanga) (Mpumalanga)

WillemOlivier HendréJeannettaduToit IpelengThatoMalope(NorthernCape) (NorthernCape) (NorthWest)

PhenyoPhemeloMoletsane Abdul–BaasitAbdullah SunellevanderMerwe(NorthWest) (WesternCape) (WesternCape)

Top male and female achievers in Mathematics and Science in each province in the National Senior Certificate examinations, as sponsored by the Department of Basic Education



MinquizTM: MinquizTM:LiangYu DonathelloMzilethi(Gauteng) (Gauteng)

NationalNatural,LifeandPhysicalSciencesOlympiad ComputerOlympiad:LifeScience: JacobusPetrusvanderMerweKavishaurDwarika (WesternCape)(KwaZulu-Natal)

TechnologyOlympiad: TechnologyOlympiad:PieterBoonzaaier BertiePool(WesternCape) (WesternCape)

EskomExpoforYoungScientists: SouthAfricanMathematicsOlympiad:BiancaKagishoBouwer GregoryScottJackson(FreeState) (WesternCape)

Learners who have excelled or shown outstanding promise in a variety of SET competitions & Olympiads



Top Educators

RalphJamesAnley BrendaMadgelineSimani AndreaCallesen(EasternCape) (WesternCape) (WesternCape)

THRIP bursaries for undergraduates

Refilwe Matsie SheisinherfirstyearstudyingaBScinChemicalEngineeringattheUniversityofCapeTown.

Ndamulelo MararakanyeHeisinhisfirstyearstudyingaBScinElectricalEngineeringattheUniversityofCapeTown.


The NSTF Share ‘n Dare Programme

TheimpactoftheNSTFAwardsgoesfarbeyondthe‘glitzy’Awardsceremony.NSTFAwardsWinnersare‘ambassadors’for their fieldsofexpertise for thewholeyear.TheNSTF, incollaborationwith theMedicalResearchCouncil’sWeb & Media Technologies Platform,arrangesopportunitiesfor theNSTFAwardWinnerstoshare theirknowledgeandexperiencewithyoungpeople,toberolemodels,andthustomotivate,ordare,theyouthtotakeupstudiesandcareersinthesciencesandengineering.Therearenobetterrolemodelsthanthesetopscientists,engineers,entrepreneurs,andsciencecommunicators!Theopportunitiesforsharing and daringinclude:• TalkshowsbroadcastonCommunityradiostations• InterviewsbroadcastonCampusradiostations• Speciallecturesatuniversitycampuses• Talksandinteractionatuniversityorientationeventsfornewstudents

Where possible, these aremade available on the NSTF Awards web portal at www.nstfawards.org.za and can beaccessedbyinterestedpartiesandforeducationalpurposesbyeducatorsandcareercounsellors.Duringthepastyear,activitiestookplaceattheuniversitiesofPretoria,Limpopo,StellenboschandboththeBloemfonteinandQwaQwacampusesofFreeStateUniversity.Awarenessof science, engineeringand technologywascreatedthroughcommunitytalkshowsonRadioTygerberg,RadioRippel,RadioMidrand,AlexandraFM,RadioRosestad,RadioAtlantis,andVoiceoftheCape,withacombinedpotentiallistenershipof631000.Localradiostationsreachawiderangeoflistenersofallsocio-economicclassesandinterviewsandinteractionwiththeaudiencecantakeplaceinalanguagethatthelocallistenersarecomfortablewith.Sometimestheseinteractionslead to interviewswithNSTFAwardWinnersonnational radiostations,givingevenmorepeople thebenefitof theirknowledge.TheNSTFaimstoextendtheShare ‘n Dareprogrammetoaccommodatemoreruralcommunities,morelanguages,andmoreuniversitiesoftechnology.

LookoutforanNSTFAwardWinnerappearinginyourareaoronyourairwaves!MakeuseoftheopportunitytolistentothemandaskquestionstofindoutwhytheywerecrownedwiththeprestigioustitleofNSTF Award Winner.Ifyourradiostationortertiaryinstitutionisinterestedinparticipatinginthisexcitingventure,pleasecontacttheNSTFofficeatnstf@scientia.co.zaor0128413987.IfyouwishtohelpustocontinuetomaketheShare ‘n Dareprogrammepossiblethroughsponsorship,pleasecontactus.

DrOdirilengNtwaeaborwapresentedasmotivationaltalkattheQwaQwacampusoftheFreeStateUniversity

Prof.Sandenbergh,MsNiehaus,MrPullenandProf.Kearsley

HendrikSwart,KediboneAphane,MartinNtwaeaborwaandJanusSnyders

20

Winners in the respective categories for the 2008/09 NSTF Awards were:

Individual over a lifetime–Prof. Pieter Steyn,SeniorResearcher,DepartmentofChemistryandPolymerSciences,UniversityofStellenbosch

Research and its outputs over the last 5 years or less–Prof. David Richardson,DeputyDirector:ScienceStrategy,DepartmentofScienceandTechnology/NationalResearchFoundation,CentreofExcellenceforInvasionBiology,UniversityofStellenbosch

Activities other than research and its outputs over the last 5 years or less–Mr Robert (Bob) Pullen,SeniorSpecialistinWaterEngineering:BKSGroup

Eskom award for Research Capacity Development over the last 5-10 years (Female)–Prof. Mary Scholes,Professor:SchoolofAnimal,PlantandEnvironmentalSciences,UniversityoftheWitwatersrand

Eskom award for Research Capacity Development over the last 5-10 years (Male)–Prof. Hendrik C Swart,HeadoftheDepartmentofPhysics:UniversityoftheFreeState

The TW Kambule NRF award for a senior black male researcher over the last 5-10 years–Prof. Shabir Madhi,ProfessorofVaccinology:UniversityoftheWitwatersrand;ChairpersoninVaccinePreventableDiseases:NationalResearchFoundation;andCo-Director:SouthAfricanMedicalResearchCouncil/UniversityoftheWitwatersrandRespiratoryandMeningealPathogensResearchUnit

The NRF TW Kambule award for a distinguished young black male researcher over the last 5-10 years–Dr Odireleng M Ntwaeaborwa,SeniorLecturer:DepartmentofPhysics,UniversityoftheFreeState

The TW Kambule NRF award for a distinguished young black female researcher over the last 5-10 years–Dr Monique Zaahl,SeniorLecturer:DepartmentofGenetics,UniversityofStellenbosch

The SAASTA science communicator for public awareness over the last 5 years–Dr M Shaheed Hartley,Director:ContractResearch,CapePeninsulaUniversityofTechnology,CapeTown

A special award, recognising an outstanding contribution to science, engineering, technology and innovation–Mr Case Rijsdijk,FormerlyConsultanttotheSouthAfricanAstronomicalObservatory

Innovation by a corporate organisation or institution–The Diamond Research Laboratory, Element Six,Ekurhuleni

Innovation by a Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise–Altis Biologics (Pty) Ltd,TshwaneUniversityofTechnology,Pretoria

Innovation by a Non-Governmental Organisation/Not-for- Profit Organisation or Community Based Organisation–The Marang Centre for Maths and Science Education,UniversityoftheWitwatersrand

The 83 past winners since 1998 to 2007/08 are listed on the NSTF Awards website at www.nstfawards.org.za.


Tel: 012-841 3987Fax: 012-841 3025

E-mail: [email protected]

Address: PO Box 9823, Pretoria, 0001Websites: www.nstf.org.za / www.nstfawards.org.za

K-7568 [www.kashan.co.za]

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