NSTF Awards

Category - Research and its Outputs (over the last 5 to 10 years or less)
Professor Nigel Bennett,
Professor of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria
For his outstanding contribution to mammalogy
Prof. Bennett’s work on mole-rats is important both to our understanding of the physiological mechanisms regulating reproduction in mammals and to the evolution of mammalian societies more generally. Since mole-rats are a group of vertebrates whose breeding systems most closely resemble those of eusocial insects (such as bees and termites) they (and Prof. Bennett’s work) are of great significance to many different realms of biology.
Category - SAASTA Science Communicator for Public Awareness (over the last 5 years)
Professor Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan,
Professor of Zoology, University of Cape Town
For a sustained and innovative contribution to the promotion of science in all disciplines but particularly in palaeontology and among girls
Prof. Chinsamy-Turan is a highly regarded, internationally renowned palaeobiologist who has utilised her expertise in the wider field of palaeontology, and her personal experiences, to communicate science in South Africa. She has actively promoted science by engaging with the general public through talks, TV and radio presentations, interactive displays, numerous articles for popular science magazines and popular-level books, and has devoted particular attention to work among girls through SAWISE. In 2008 she published the first children’s book that focused exclusively on African dinosaurs, entitled “Famous Dinosaurs of Africa” (Struik). She has also utilised her excellent organisational skills to co-ordinate and run various other science promotional events, e.g. Science Days, Science tours etc.
Category - Lifetime and Category - Research and its Outputs (over the last 5 to 10 years or less)
Professor Maureen Coetzee,
Professor: SARChi Chair in Medical Entomology and Vector Control, University of the Witwatersrand, and Director: Malaria Entomology Research Unit, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg
For her substantial contribution to the understanding and control of malaria in Africa
From the research she started on African malaria mosquitoes in 1977 Prof. Maureen Coetzee is today internationally recognised as one of the leading malaria entomologists in Africa. She is actively involved in supporting malaria control programmes and has inspired numerous African students (within South Africa and other African countries) to further their studies and careers in vector control. Since the major South African malaria epidemic in 1999/2000, her work on insecticide resistance in malaria mosquitoes has contributed enormously to the understanding of the underlying genetic mechanisms conferring resistance in mosquitoes and to devising resistance management strategies as well as testing novel means of controlling mosquitoes.
Category - TW Kambule NRF Senior Black Researcher (over last 5-10 years)
Professor Tania Douglas,
Associate Professor: Biomedical Engineering and Director: MRC/UCT Medical Imaging Research Unit, Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town
For her contribution in the field of medical imaging where she has developed techniques for diagnosing fetal alcohol syndrome and tuberculosis
Prof. Douglas is a leading South African scholar in the field of medical imaging. During the past 9 years her research aim has been to address major public health problems in South Africa. She has worked on the development of innovative instruments and techniques for diagnosing foetal alcohol syndrome and tuberculosis, and has contributed to the development of the medical device industry in South Africa through her research on applications of low-dose X-ray imaging.
Category - Lifetime
Professor Jan G H du Preez,
Professor of Chemistry (retired): Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, and Senior Research Consultant to SHIMODA-BIOTECH
For a lifetime contribution in chemistry specialising in uranium base and platinum group metals and associated techniques
Prof. du Preez has contributed through an academic life in chemistry spanning 52 years, covering many areas of development particularly in the fields of inorganic and analytical chemistry with specialisation in uranium base metals, platinum group metals and metal ion separation as well as the development of new separating agents. His work on the development of novel platinum anti-cancer agents produced 5 international patents. He has overseen 92 MSc and 38 PhD degrees and been involved in a prodigious output of publications.
Category - Lifetime
Professor Pat G Eriksson,
Professor and Head: Department of Geology, University of Pretoria
For founding and leading a diverse and highly experienced international research group, the Global Precambrian Sedimentation Syndicate (GPSS), studying all facets of the Precambrian sedimentary rock record and the history of the Earth prior to ca. 600 million years ago
Prof. Eriksson's major personal contributions encompass defining the basic principles relating to Precambrian sedimentation patterns vis-à-vis those from the younger sedimentary record, particularly that it is the rates and intensities of the processes that have changed over geological time; and that the major first-order controls on Precambrian sedimentation (and all sedimentation) involve the interaction of mantle thermal processes and plate tectonics, and that both are subject to chronological change. He has also investigated the relationship between the concept of the mean height of continents above mean sea level and sea level changes, Precambrian sedimentary basin evolution and Precambrian basin dynamics in general by applying the sequence stratigraphic paradigm to the Precambrian sedimentary and basin evolutionary record. His work challenges concepts such as the “great oxidation event” and the first “Snowball Earth” glaciation event at about the same time. These are considered to be an oversimplification of a much more complex and multi-faceted early earth system.
Category - Lifetime and Category - Research and its Outputs (over the last 5 to 10 years or less)
Professor Jill Farrant,
Professor of Molecular Cell Biology, University of Cape Town
For a contribution to the study of plant desiccation tolerance on plants unique to South Africa in order to improve drought resistance and food security
Prof. Farrant is a recognised world leader in the field of plant desiccation tolerance. The research is novel in that it is conducted on unique plants (tolerant of loss of >95% water content) endemic to Southern Africa, on multiple tissue types, using a multidisciplinary approach and has fundamental and applied outcomes. Her work is aimed at producing drought tolerant crops for use in Africa, offering a solution to food shortage and mitigating the potential effects of climate change.
Category - SAASTA Science Communicator for Public Awareness (over the last 5 years)
Mr Derek Fish,
Director: Unizul Science Centre, KwaZulu-Natal
For an outstanding contribution to science communication in rural KwaZulu-Natal
Derek Fish is a household name in Southern Africa in the field of Science Communication. For 17 years he has excelled in all areas including science shows and talks, exhibits, games, print and graphic media, drama and among others. In addition to personal excellence, he has greatly enhanced the field through the training, workshops and support he has provided through the Science Centre (SC) network (SAASTEC), the Institute of Physics, Science Festivals and other avenues. This recognition extends beyond South Africa where he has given presentations on every continent. While he has presented at the highest levels around the globe, the bulk of this communication excellence has been provided for pupils in severely disadvantaged rural schools.
Category - Research and its Outputs (over the last 5 to 10 yrs or less)
Professor Diane Hildebrandt,
Distinguished Professor: Sustainable Development and Director: Centre for Material and Process Synthesis, University of the Witwatersrand
For a contribution in innovative chemical process design, unique in the world such that Africa can be seen to be leading the way in areas such as oil and food from waste - solving three problems with one ground breaking approach
Prof. Hildebrandt and her team have made significant advances in the way that chemical processes can be designed. This has the potential to have an extraordinary impact on the energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions from chemical and fuel manufacturing plants. In this era of climate change and diminishing fossil fuel resources this is a significant contribution. The work has the potential to have a large impact for developing countries and Africa in particular. The modular (laptop) rather than the current mega-plant approach (mainframe) also enables one to view such feed-stocks as municipal waste as a resource rather than a problem.
Category - SAASTA Science Communicator for Public Awareness (over the last 5 years)
Mr Robert Inglis
Director: Jive Media, for the Maloti Drakensberg Experience, and for the Mission MeerKAT Comic Series, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
For a contribution to the development of the discipline of science communication through innovative and exciting media
The Maloti Drakensberg Experience is a captivating and highly visual, yet practical book, researched over some 5 years, written and published by Jive Media to unlock the natural and cultural treasures of the Maloti Drakensberg Mountain region. With its focus on a range of science disciplines including social and cultural aspects, ornithology, biodiversity and even engineering exploits, it promotes sustainable community-based tourism to this cross-border region. The Mission MeerKAT Comic Series, consisting of two 8-page comic books and 6 large pull-up banners, illuminates the world of radio astronomy for public audiences around South Africa. Through the adventures of the comic characters, the scientific and technical information around the Karoo Array Telescope (KAT), currently being built near Carnarvon in the Northern Cape, is unlocked shedding light on the proposed Square Kilometre Array (SKA) – the largest Radio Telescope ever designed, which South Africa is currently bidding to host.
Category - SAASTA Science Communicator for Public Awareness (over the last 5 years)
Mr David Kramer,
Director: Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Newtown, Johannesburg
For a substantial contribution to the communication of science in innovative ways to a wide audience
The Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, under the directorship of David Kramer, is an independent non-profit Section 21 company and the largest science centre in Southern Africa. Its goals are to stimulate engagement with science and technology, to improve teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology (MST) and to increase interest in post-school careers in SET. It does this by offering a large collection of interactive SET exhibits and an annual calendar of SET events and activities for the general public but mostly for school learners and teachers. It runs an outreach programme in disadvantaged schools, an MST teacher academy, an ICT training centre and the BHP Billiton Career Centre. In 2009, Sci-Bono hosted nearly 150 000 visitors and served 30 000 school learners through its outreach programme.
Category - TW Kambule NRF Senior Black Researcher (over last 5-10 years) and Category - Eskom Research Capacity Developers
Professor Oluwole Daniel Makinde,
Senior Professor: Chair of Post-Graduate Studies, Faculty of Engineering, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
For his success in research in mathematical modelling and computation as well as research capacity development in challenging environments
Prof. Makinde’s drive, over-and-above his own research work in the areas of theoretical fluid mechanics, mathematical modelling of biological and engineering systems, nonlinear dynamic systems and computational mathematics, was to establish a Centre of Excellence at the University of Limpopo. The main objective of his research work is to use mathematical theories & methodologies to gain insights into the dynamics of various engineering & biological systems which are of industrial, environmental & social interest. The Centre of Excellence has produced many graduates from previously disadvantaged backgrounds who can be found in research institutions, in the water resources and forestry sectors, the mining sector and others, where they have made use of the science and technological innovation techniques that they acquired in the course of their training to improve the quality of life for South Africans by generating wealth for the people of South Africa.
Category - TW Kambule NRF Distinguished Young Black Researcher (over the last 2-5 years)
Dr Nokwanda P Makunga,
Senior Lecturer: Department of Botany and Zoology, University of Stellenbosch
For a contribution to the development of alternative sources of metabolites for modern medicine
Medicinal plant biotechnology is a new paradigm in the South African and the African context as whole, as agricultural crops were the main targets for high-end technological applications. Using a conservation-through-cultivation strategy Dr Makunga and her team are able to ensure the sustainable use of biodiversity resources whilst adding value to an ancient knowledge system of medicinal plant use so that it remains highly revered and relevant in contemporary society. Reliance on materia medica for livelihood and health-security poses biodiversity constraints as nature remains the primary source for these plants that are extracted indiscriminately from the wild. The work has culminated in interesting, unique, transgenic plant lines which act as biofactories providing sustainable alternatives for sought-after metabolites which are vital for human-health.
Category - TW Kambule NRF Distinguished Young Black Researcher (over the last 2-5 years)
Dr Rapela Regina Maphanga,
Materials Modelling Centre, University of Limpopo
For a contribution to the computational modelling of materials particularly for electrolytic manganese dioxide
Dr Maphanga is a senior researcher in the field of computational modelling of materials. She has handled complex research problems, using a variety of computational modelling methods. In particular she uses a cutting edge and rare technique called the “amorphisation and recrystallisation” (A and R) method. An evolutionary simulated A and R method generates atomistic models for electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) which captures much of the microstructure associated with the complex EMD. Electrochemical properties of EMD are governed by the rich and complex microstructure it accommodates. She is actively participating in projects to motivate learners, especially girls, to pursue careers in science, engineering and technology.
Category - Research and its Outputs (over the last 5 to 10 yrs or less)
Professor Barend (Ben) Marais,
Associate Professor: Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Stellenbosch
For his contribution to raising global awareness and for identifying pragmatic solutions to improve service delivery to children affected by tuberculosis in resource-limited settings
Childhood tuberculosis (TB) has long been neglected as a major cause of morbidity and mortality among African children. Studies conducted by Prof. Marais and his unit helped raise global awareness and identified pragmatic solutions to improve service delivery to affected children. Children provide unique epidemiological insight to better understand TB transmission dynamics within communities, the emergence of drug resistant TB and the evolution of different Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains. Apart from generating relevant new knowledge, emphasis was placed on knowledge dissemination, capacity building and advocacy for children with TB by, for example, hosting regular Child TB training workshops in collaboration with the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD).
Category - Eskom Research Capacity Developers
Professor Tshilidzi Marwala,
Professor and Executive Dean: Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, University of Johannesburg
For his own contributions to the development of computational tools and successes in research capacity development
Prof. Marwala is involved in the development of a set of intelligent computer tools that are used to monitor bridges, buildings and industrial processes. These tools have recently been found to be useful in the medical field. Examples of medical applications include the detection of epilepsy. His work has been published and cited in many international journals and has attracted attention from numerous prestigious centres including the government of Florida. Recent applications of the techniques include the development of a computer tool to predict inter-state conflict. New work in the group is mentioned. The list of students is impressive.
Category - Research and its Outputs (over the last 5 to 10 yrs or less) and Category - TW Kambule NRF Senior Black Researcher (over last 5-10 years)
Professor Debra Meyer,
Professor of Biochemistry, University of Pretoria
For a contribution through research to developing novel HIV treatments, prognostic markers and vaccine components
Prof. Meyer has a unique approach to HIV/AIDS research and education involving multidisciplinary collaborations. Her research group pioneered the use of classical analytical chemistry tools in the study of HIV/AIDS leading to first time publications on biofluid metabonomics for distinguishing HIV infected individuals from controls and demonstrating the effect of metals on HIV-infection. Along with collaborators, Prof. Meyer contributed to the analysis of the first metallo-drug, able to simultaneously inhibit two HIV enzymes, and identified several more anti-HIV metallo-drugs. The work done in her laboratory also contributes to identifying potential vaccine candidates and identifying novel prognostic markers. As an educator she uses the novel pedagogical approach of teaching science ‘through’ the doorway or lens of a pressing, unsolved social problem like HIV/AIDS.
Category - TW Kambule NRF Senior Black Researcher (over last 5-10 years)
Dr Ashraf Mohammed,
Head of Department: HIV/AIDS Unit, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
The results of his research have led to modified national health screening guidelines in the management of TB
The results of research in the HIV/AIDS Unit at CPUT published in International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IULTD), have influenced public health policy and provided the evidence which led to the issuing of the current tuberculosis (TB) screening guidelines for active TB before administering TB preventive therapy among people with advanced HIV-disease (one of the key priorities for TB control). This is one of the studies selected by World Health Organization (WHO) to conduct a systematic review. A randomised placebo-controlled study on the use of isoniazid (INH) administered to prevent TB among people with advanced HIV infection, has shown that there is no benefit. These results have been validated by other researchers and will also inform international policy in this important area.
Category - TW Kambule NRF Distinguished Young Black Researcher (over the last 2-5 years)
Professor Fulufhelo V Nelwamondo,
Senior Research Scientist and Research Group Leader (Competency Area: Information Security): Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria; Post-doctoral Fellow, Harvard University, USA
For a contribution to the solution of the problem of missing data estimation in online control applications
Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo addresses the problem of missing data in online applications, where the data can also be non-stationary, or even heteroskedastic. As it is well known, the use of inferential sensors is a common task in online fault detection in various control applications. A problem arises when sensors fail while the control system is designed to make a decision based on the data from those sensors. The biggest challenge is that the standard computational intelligence techniques are not able to process input data with missing values and hence, cannot take part in decision making when some input data are missing. Dr Nelwamondo addressed this problem through depth and derived computational intelligence models for missing data estimation. He had also applied some of his methods to solve the problem of missing data in areas of national priority such as power supply and HIV modelling. The manner in which computational techniques can be applied to solve the missing data problem has opened new research avenues in the field.
Category - Eskom Research Capacity Developers
Professor Deresh Ramjugernath,
Professor: SARChi Fluorine Process Engineering and Separation Technology and Professor: Chemical Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal
For a substantial contribution to the development of research capacity in the field of thermodynamics research
Prof. Ramjugernath has, in the last 5 to 10 years, established the Thermodynamics Research Unit at UKZN as the leading research group in the country in chemical thermodynamics and separation. He has been instrumental in developing research capacity in the School of Chemical Engineering and the Faculty of Engineering at UKZN in his role as Dean's assistant: Research and Postgraduate Studies and more directly in his role as South African Research Chair: Fluorine Process Engineering and Separation Technology and Director of the Thermodynamics Research Unit. The group is undertaking cutting edge research that is contributing towards chemical process development and optimisation in South Africa and abroad. In the last 10 years he has successfully overseen the graduation 48 Masters and PhD students and is currently supervising or co-supervising 32 postgraduate students. During this period he, along with his students, has produced in excess of 160 conference and journal papers.
Category - Eskom Research Capacity Developers
Professor M E Christine Rey,
Professor of Microbiology: School of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of the Witwatersrand
For her contribution to research capacity development through the mentoring of 8 black MSc students (with 9 current) and 5 black PhD students (with 3 current) over the last ten years, and a total of 82 postgraduate students over her 25 year career, from both South Africa and many other sub-Saharan African countries
Prof. Rey was Head of the School of Molecular and Cell Biology at Wits for 10 years and is co-leader (with Prof. Ramsay from Health Sciences) of the Research Thrust of Molecular Biosciences and the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Biosciences. She is an active researcher in the field of Plant Biotechnology, focusing on plant virology and genetic engineering of crops for virus resistance. She has supervised 8 black MSc students (with 9 current) and 5 black PhD students (with 3 current) over the last ten years and a total of 42 MSc and PhD students and 40 Honours students over her career. She serves on the advisory board of the African Centre for Gene Technology, on the Task Force of the Organisation or Economic Co-operative Development (OECD) for Safety of Novel Foods and Feed, and has served on the National Science and Technology Forum for many years. She was awarded a Santed project for strengthening of capacity in biotechnology at tertiary institutions in the SADC region. She has also created an innovative Masters programme in entrepreneurial Biotechnology at Wits, which has graduated over 24 MSc students in the past 10 years, and which recently attracted funding from the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
Category - Lifetime
Professor Heinz Rode,
Emeritus Professor: Paediatric Surgery, Red Cross Hospital, University of Cape Town
For a substantive contribution over 35 years to the science and practice of burn care particularly of children
Emeritus Professor Rode has made a substantive contribution to the science and practice of burn care since 1975. His contributions include 35 years of burn care to children at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital and further afield. Through his work he has set principles and standards and developed new and novel ideas and processes. He is acknowledged as the leading paediatric burn specialist in South Africa, has been recognised in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and has also introduced the international Australian New Zealand Burn Association (ANZBA) emergency management of severe burns course into South Africa for nurses, professions allied to medicine and doctors.
Category - Research and its Outputs (over the last 5 to 10 yrs or less)
Professor Andreas Roodt,
Outstanding Professor: Department of Chemistry, University of the Free State
For a contribution to chemistry in the field of reaction kinetics and reaction mechanisms
Andreas Roodt’s work is in reaction kinetics and reaction mechanisms in chemistry. The approach more directly focuses on time-based studies following complete characterisation of reactants products and identifying the intimate reaction mechanisms and intermediates, both by experiment and by utilisation of theoretical calculations. He helped to expand Chemistry at the University of the Free State by co-establishing internal, external, industrial and other networks producing contributions totalling more than R80 million to research.
Category - Research and its Outputs (over the last 5 to 10 yrs or less)
Dr Martie van der Walt,
Interim Director: TB Epidemiology and Intervention Research Unit, Medical Research Council
For a research contribution in the field of multi-drug resistant (MDR) and non-drug resistant (XDR) TB in South Africa that reduced the turnaround times of diagnosing and treating MDR-TB patients from between 2 and 4 months to 7 days
Dr Martie van der Walt led a country-wide, large-scale demonstration project aimed at re-tooling the National Tuberculosis Control Programme (NTCP) for the rapid diagnosis of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in South Africa, part of a multi-country international research project. She was the principal investigator for the “Effectiveness of rapid assays for Rifampicin Resistance for presumptive MDR-TB diagnosis in smear positive specimens of patients in high TB burden countries”. The successful implementation of the new diagnostic tool for earlier detection and diagnosis of MDR-TB has lead to better patient treatment outcomes and a decrease in mortality. The major benefits of rapid MDR-TB diagnosis include the ruling out of drug-resistance among problematic sensitive cases and reduced turn-around-time for XDR-TB diagnosis.
Category - Lifetime
Dr Brian van Wilgen,
Chief Ecologist: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
For a lifetime contribution to the improvement of natural ecosystem management policies and practices
Dr van Wilgen’s career spans 35 years, during which he has conducted research into the ecology and management of fire-prone ecosystems, and the ecology and management of invasive alien plants. His work was carried out at the SA Forestry Research Institute and later at the CSIR, where he is currently a Chief Ecologist and CSIR Research Fellow. He has developed evidence-based prescriptions for the use of fire in fynbos, savanna and grassland ecosystems. His work on the impacts of invasive alien plants on ecosystem services, notably water resources, was instrumental in motivating for the establishment of the multi-billion rand Working for Water Programme, an award winning poverty-relief programme, which employs 20 000 people, and has cleared hundreds of thousands of hectares of invasive alien plants, with significant ecological benefits.
Category - Research and its Outputs (over the last 5 to 10 yrs or less)
Professor Marietjie Venter,
Head: Respiratory Virus Unit, National Institute of Communicable Diseases, and Associate Professor: Respiratory and Zoonotic Virus Programme, Department of Medical Virology, University of Pretoria
For her work on respiratory and emerging neurological viruses associated with pneumonia and encephalitis, leading causes of death worldwide
Prof. Venter published the first study on the molecular epidemiology of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in South Africa, the most important viral cause of pneumonia in babies, identified several new genotypes, explained why outbreaks occur every year and investigated the association and molecular epidemiology of many new viruses in respiratory disease in South Africa including the pandemic H1N1 Influenza A outbreak. Her work on West Nile Virus (WNV) has raised awareness internationally of the disease potential of Southern African WNV strains in humans and animals and defined WNV for the first time as a cause of fatal encephalitis in horses in Southern Africa.
Category - Research and its Outputs (over the last 5 to 10 yrs or less)
Professor Xiaohua Xia,
Professor and Director: National Hub for the Postgraduate Programme in Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management, Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Pretoria
For contributions to the modelling and control of complex systems in the field of electrical engineering
Prof. Xia is a researcher with a wide range of impact in areas of control systems and their applications in engineering, biology, medicine and education. He has tackled problems of key importance in the modelling and control of complex systems as well as applied research in the control of heavy haul trains and cellular level modelling of the dynamics of biomedical systems. He has played an essential role in the UNESCO programme of mainstreaming of HIV/AIDS for Physical, Biological and Engineering Sciences in five African countries. Prof. Xia chairs the Technical Committee of Nonlinear Systems of the International Federation of Automatic Control.

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

Category - Research for Innovation by a team or individual in a Corporate Organisation
Biomedical Engineering Research Group (BERG)
Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, University of Stellenbosch
For outstanding innovation in the field of biomedical engineering
Prof. Cornie Scheffer from the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at Stellenbosch University initiated the Biomedical Engineering Research Group (BERG) in 2005. Under his leadership, the group has grown significantly and has developed numerous innovative medical devices and technologies aimed at improving healthcare delivery. Since 2007, Prof. Scheffer has filed six patents and published 36 scientific research papers together with his students and collaborators. The medical innovations developed under his leadership include improved methods of bio-signal processing, medical implants, instrumentation, patient monitoring and surgical robotics. Several of these innovations are specifically aimed towards improving primary healthcare delivery to rural and under-served communities.
Category - Research for Innovation by a team or individual in a Corporate Organisation
BioPAD Metagenomics Platform
Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Technology, University of the Free State
For unique studies and research into the sub-surface biosphere in South Africa
The BioPAD UFS Metagenomics Platform, under the leadership of Prof. Esta van Heerden (platform manager), Jacobus Albertyn, Derek Litthauer and Dr Lizelle Piater, is studying the unique sub-surface biosphere in South Africa. The research team investigates the biodiversity as deep as 4 kilometres below the surface. The finding of new and improved catalysts and gene products, as well as specialised microorganisms, is addressed through geochemical analysis and biodiversity assessment. This is coupled to the construction of metagenomic libraries as well as genome, transcriptome or reactome analysis. In concert, these allow the identification of unique genes or gene products that can eventually be expressed and improved for biotechnological applications. Continued research has also led to the application of unique microorganisms in the bioremediation of metal contaminated sites.
Category - Research for Innovation by a team or individual in a Not-for-Profit Organisation (NPO), Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) or Community Based Organisation (CBO)
Centre for Material and Process Synthesis Team
University of the Witwatersrand
For a contribution in innovative chemical process design, unique in the world such that Africa can be seen to be leading the way through pilot plants in China and Australia solving three problems with one ground breaking approach for example in oil and food from waste.
The COMPS team under the leadership of Prof. Diane Hildebrandt, Prof. David Glasser and Dr Brendon Hausberger has, through its ground breaking research, been instrumental in devising a new design methodology and in a remarkably short time using it to build, commission and operate a pilot plant in China and design a demonstration plant in Australia. The ability to do this in such a short time in the conservative chemical and fuel making industry is unique, as is the fact that it has been done by a university research centre. Over-and-above this, the new methods and ideas have the potential to significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions as well as to preserve precious fossil fuel reserves, with significant impact for Africa. COMPS and Africa are leading the way in new modular reduced carbon dioxide emitting processes.
Category - Research for Innovation by a team or individual in a Corporate Organisation
Conroast Project Team
Mintek, Johannesburg
Mintek’s ConRoast process offers a robust, cleaner, and safer technology for the platinum smelting industry, especially for treating concentrates from the UG2 reef
The ConRoast Process, developed and patented by Mintek, offers the platinum industry increased metal recovery, lower S02 emissions, and improved furnace reliability for chromite-bearing platinum ores, and offers significant improvements over the matte smelting process currently employed. The technology has been licensed to Braemore Platinum, which plans to offer the platinum industry these benefits by building and operating a number of furnace installations, each around 10 MW, in suitable locations. The process has been successfully demonstrated on a semi-commercial scale, and plans for full commercial implementation are well advanced.
Category - Research for Innovation by a team or individual in a Corporate Organisation
Cyanide Centre Team
Centre of Excellence for Mining Related Services, Mintek, Johannesburg
For providing products and services to minimise the risks associated with the use of cyanide in the production and mining of gold
Mintek's team of scientists and engineers, in collaboration with the gold mining industry, has developed a unique set of products and services to assist with risk minimisation in the use of cyanide. The knowledge generated during early phases of research was applied to produce on-line analysers, assist with compliance audits and discharge monitoring services based on accredited analysis. These products and services found acceptance and are applied throughout the gold mining industry of Africa and further afield. Whilst substantial amounts of revenue were generated for Mintek (thus supporting the sustainability of further research and business development), industry benefited from reduced reagent additions, minimised risk exposure and the facilitation of reaching compliance with the requirements of the International Cyanide Management Code, all of which are aimed at improving sustainability issues. The success encourages duplication of the development model into other areas of improved sustainability.
Category - Research for Innovation by a team or individual in a Corporate Organisation
Furnace Control Team
Mintek, Johannesburg
For Mintek’s commercially successful Minstral submerged-arc furnace control system which achieves improved recoveries and electrical efficiencies in ferro-alloy furnaces
Mintek’s Minstral submerged-arc furnace control system overcomes the chronic problems introduced by the electrode current interaction between the electrodes under conventional control techniques. By modelling the electrode-to-bath resistance without requiring a connection to the furnace hearth, it electrically decouples the electrodes, enabling individual control and alleviation of these problems. The model also facilitates differential tapping of the furnace transformers to optimise power input to the furnace and compensates for unbalanced conditions. This system has been successfully installed on over 100 furnaces worldwide. It provides more stable control and optimal use of available power, resulting in improved recoveries and electrical efficiencies in ferro-alloy furnaces which are critical to South Africa's competitive edge in the light of the present electricity supply crisis.
Category - Research for Innovation by a team or individual in a Not-for-Profit Organisation (NPO), Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) or Community Based Organisation (CBO)
Mr David Kramer– Director and team
Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Newtown, Johannesburg
For a substantial contribution to the communication of science in innovative ways to a wide audience see Individuals Category K
Category - Research for Innovation by a team or individual in a Corporate Organisation
OSCAR-4 Team
South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), Pelindaba
For the latest version of the OSCAR reactor calculational software system, OSCAR-4, released in September 2009 during an international workshop at NECSA, which provides fast and accurate nuclear reactor simulations with unparalleled efficiency
The OSCAR nuclear reactor calculational software package has been incrementally developed over 20 years. This cutting edge, advanced reactor simulator provides critical parameters for the safe and productive operation and licensing of modern research reactors. As such, the package is the primary calculational tool for the SAFARI-1 research reactor operated by Necsa in South Africa, which is widely accepted as the best commercialised research reactor in the world, given its refocus toward medical isotope production. Due to significant enhancements of the OSCAR system and a strong international effort through cooperation and publication, OSCAR has also become the primary calculational system for 3 reactors overseas. In recent years a focussed development effort to improve the quality and international exposure of the system culminated in the release of the newest version of the system, OSCAR-4, during an international workshop in September 2009 at Necsa.
Category - Research for Innovation by a team or individual in a Not-for-Profit Organisation (NPO), Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) or Community Based Organisation (CBO)
Professor John Parkington,
Professor: Department of Archaeology, Living Landscape Project Clanwilliam, University of Cape Town
The Clanwilliam Living Landscape Project uses research as the basis for community empowerment in the Cederberg, in the form of training & job opportunities, sustainable tourism, and an evolving school curriculum.
The Clanwilliam Living Landscape Project (CLLP) is an initiative grounded in research and fieldwork in the Cederberg, which uses research as the basis for community empowerment in the form of training and job opportunities, sustainable tourism, and an evolving school curriculum. The starting point of CLLP is the historical, archaeological, palaeontological and geological heritage of the northern Cederberg, so that the landscape of the area is itself the basis for communication and empowerment. Interaction with schools is based on best international practice in heritage education, in that the natural context of the place and the artifacts are used to generate excitement and build understanding. Integral to the project are the creation of opportunities for employment through the development of a wide range of skills related to crafts, tour guiding, and catering.
Category - Research for Innovation by a team or individual in a Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME)
Mr David Reynders,
Pocit Division, Tradebridge Pty Ltd, Johannesburg
For his lead role in the Pocit solution; a mobile payment application that is revolutionising the way people and merchants pay and receive money in South Africa and has the potential to transform the lives of the unbanked
David Reynders drove the idea generation, product development, strategy and business case for the Pocit solution. Pocit is a uniquely secure, cellphone-based payment application that allows anyone to make and receive payments directly from their cellphone. It revolutionises the way payments are made in South Africa by transforming bill presentment and payment for merchants, providing the ultimate in simplicity and “anywhere, anytime” convenience, reducing the cost and improving accessibility to transactions for every-day South Africans. Pocit’s soon to be implemented solution for the “unbanked” will transform lives by providing the “disprin” for the current local remittance headache and by providing cost effective access to formal financial services.

Last updated: 14 April 2010

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