Business Report, the official media sponsor of the NSTF-BHP Billiton Awards, and one of the most widely read business publications in South Africa, is sponsoring a special feature on the award winners and sponsors.
Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, 26th May 2011
Outstanding contributions to science, engineering, technology and innovation were acknowledged at the NSTF-BHP Billiton Awards gala dinner (the 13th annual event of this kind) held
at Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, last night. The 12 awards were presented by the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Ms Naledi Pandor.
The NSTF-BHP Billiton Awards event is unique as it affords an opportunity for recognition to all practising scientists, engineers, technologists and innovators across the system of innovation. The NSTF-BHP Billiton Awards gala dinner also celebrates the achievements of schools and learners who excel in science and mathematics.
Winners in the respective categories announced are:
Individual over a lifetime Professor Lionel Opie, for a lifetime contribution to the improved understanding of the causes of heart attacks and the more effective use of medication for
heart disease.
Nominated by Prof. Karen Sliwa-Hahnle, Director: Hatter Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of Cape Town.
Research and its outputs Professor Thokozani Majozi, for research leading to the development and application of novel techniques in batch and continuous chemical process
integration particularly as it relates to freshwater use, and wastewater generation.
Nominated by Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala, Executive Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment,
University of Johannesburg.
13 September - Career talk, SAASTA, 15A Gill Str, Observatory, Johannesburg
Mrs Naledi Pandor Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Thokozani Majozi, Dr Xolani Mkhwanazi, Chairman of BHP Billiton and Dr Phil Mjwara, Director-General, DST
Management and related science, engineering and technology activities over the last 5-10 years Mr David Benjamin Botha, for his dedication and professionalism in representing,
promoting and supporting capacity building for the civil engineering profession, both locally and internationally.
Nominated by Ms Marie Ashpole, Media and Outreach Officer, South
African Institution of Civil Engineering.
11 August - 14:00 - Special lecture, Engineering Faculty, Room A406, Stellenbosch University
15 August - 11:00 - Radio interview, Whale Coast FM
Mrs Naledi Pandor Minister of Science and Technology, Mr David Benjamin Botha and Dr Thulani Dlamini, CSIR
Eskom-sponsored award: Female research capacity developer, over the last 5-10 years Dr Elma van der Lingen, for her substantial contribution to capacity building in the field of
gold industrial research and development and related capacity development.
Nominated by Dr Roger Paul, General Manager: Business Development, Mintek
Mrs Naledi Pandor Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Elma van der Lingen and Mr B E Bulunga, Divisional Executive, Human Resources, Eskom
Eskom-sponsored award: Male research capacity developer over the last 5-10 years Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, for his substantial contribution to research capacity development,
particularly of African students, in the field of electrical engineering and modelling science.
Nominated by Mr Ishmael Msiza, Researcher: CSIR Modelling and Digital Science.
14 September - 10:00 - Radio interview, East Rand Stereo 93.9FM
Mrs Naledi Pandor Minister of Science and Technology, Prof Tshilidzi Marwala and Mr B E Bulunga, Divisional Executive, Human Resources, Eskom
The NRF-sponsored TW Kambule award for a senior black female researcher over the last 5-10 years Professor Mamokgethi Setati, for her innovative, quality research on teaching
and learning mathematics in multilingual classrooms.
Nominated by Prof. Thokozani Majozi, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Pretoria.
Activities
January - Motivational talk,
University of Venda: School of Mathematical Sciences
Professor Mamokgethi Setati
The NRF-sponsored TW Kambule award for a senior black male researcher over the last 5-10 years Professor Kelly Chibale, for significant contributions to research capacity and
skills development in several key areas critical to the discovery of modern pharmaceutical medicines.
Nominated by Prof. Allen Rodgers, Head: Department of Chemistry, University of Cape Town.
19 September - 13:00-14:00 - Special lecture, De Beers Building, Lecture Theatre 2003, Stellenbosch University
2 November 2011 - 20:15 - Radio interview, Radio Tygerberg 104FM.
Mrs Naledi Pandor Minister of Science and Technology, Prof Kelly Chibale and Dr Romilla Maharaj, Executive Director: Human and Institutional Capacity Development (HICD)
The NRF-sponsored TW Kambule award for a distinguished young black female researcher over the last 2-5 years Dr Nokwanda P Makunga, for demonstrating that the sustainable
use of biodiversity resources can be assured whilst adding value to the ancient knowledge system of medicinal plant use in the provision of sustainable alternatives for metabolic
support to humans.
Nominated by Dr Therina Theron, Senior Director: Research and Innovation, University of Stellenbosch.
January - Motivational talk, Walter Sisulu University
Mrs Naledi Pandor Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Nokwanda P Makunga and Dr Romilla Maharaj, Executive Director: Human and Institutional Capacity Development (HICD)
The NRF-sponsored TW Kambule award for a distinguished young black male researcher over the last 2-5 years Dr Mohamed Azeem Khan, for contributing towards the
understanding of industrial energy efficiency and the design of small wind generator and energy storage systems.
Nominated by Prof. Pragasen Pillay, Electrical and Computer
Engineering Department, Concordia University and University of Cape Town.
Activities
27 September - 15:00 - In-studio interview
28 September - 13:00 - Radio interview, UNI FM
29 September - 12:00 - Special lecture at CPUT, Bellville campus, Gencor Building Lecture hall
Mrs Naledi Pandor Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Mohamed Azeem Khan and Dr Romilla Maharaj, Executive Director: Human and Institutional Capacity Development (HICD)
The SAASTA-sponsored award for science communication for outreach and public awareness over the last 5 years Mr Kevindran Govender, for using innovative and exciting media
and mobilising South African science communicators to demonstrate that astronomy is a powerful tool for science education, communication and development in particular as it
relates to the SKA bid.
Nominated by Mr Case Rijsdijk, Astronomical Society of Southern Africa.
Mrs Naledi Pandor Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Kevindran Govender and Mr Lorenzo Raynard, Manager: Science Communication
Research for innovation, by an individual or a team through an organisation/institution The WeldCore team from the Automotive Components Technology Station, Nelson Mandela
Metropolitan University, led by Prof. Danie Hattingh, for developing innovative friction-processing solutions to reduce the risk of engineering structures and pipework failure and
consequent plant downtime.
Nominated by Ms Nadine Marupen, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.
Mrs Naledi Pandor Minister of Science and Technology, Business Report, Sales Director, Ms Saloshini Naidoo and the WeldCore team
Research for innovation, by an individual or a team through an organisation/institution Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA 004), Tenofovir Gel
Trial Leadership Team led by Professors Salim Abdool Karim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim, University of KwaZulu-Natal, for outstanding contributions to AIDS prevention through
the landmark CAPRISA 004 study, which demonstrated that tenofovir gel prevents both HIV infection and genital herpes.
Nominated by Prof. Cheryl Potgieter, Dean of Research and
Professor of Psychology, University of KwaZulu-Natal.
17 October - 09:00 - 11:00 - Career Talk - Old Mutual – MTN Science Centre,
Shop E51, Upper level, Gateway Theatre of Shopping,
Umhlanga Rocks,
KZN
27 January - 10:30 - 11:15 - Motivational talk, Kwazulu Natal University, Steve Biko Lecture Theatre
Mrs Naledi Pandor, Minister of Science and Technology, the CAPRISA 004 team and Ms Agnes Tsele-Maseloanyane, Chief Operating Officer:
Empowerment & Enterprise Development Division Research of the dti
The NSTF-BHP Billiton Awards represent a collaborative effort by the SETI community of South Africa, made possible by the participation and sponsorship of a number of stakeholders.
We thank all our partners for their support, and congratulate the award winners on their remarkable achievements.
