The University of Johannesburg (UJ) flew the orange flag high at the 2024/2025 NSTF-South32 Awards with its innovative research recognitions.

Now in its 27 edition, the awards, aptly known as South Africa’s ‘Science Oscars’, was hosted under the theme Quantum Science and Technology.

The NSTF is also celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Honourable Blade Nzimande gave the keynote address.

He highlighted the importance of reimagining the public science system to a transformed, responsive and agile system away from spatial, gender and racial divide in Africa.

“The public science system is still characterised by the underrepresentation of black people and women. Talent is in all communities. I want to challenge the NSTF with a proud 30 years of the role you have played. It is time to transition. We need to make sure we organise, science, technology and innovation below the national level.”

Hon. Nzimande said that through science, technology and innovation, a better South Africa was possible.

Prof Olaniyi Fawole, won the NSTF- Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Award, one of two new award categories at the NSTF Awards. His research work highlights sustainable postharvest technologies.

“I am humbled to have received this award, this very first edition of it. This recognition goes beyond me. It affirms the value of science. In Africa postharvest loss is threatening food and livelihood. My work focuses on preserving what we grow, creating value and building the next generation of scientists. With 17% of the world’s population but under 2% of it scientists, Africa must invest in its talent. This award strengthens our commitment to the future, the one we deserve.”

He thanked his students – past and present, and the University for giving him the opportunity to thrive.

Prof Fawole is the UJ DSTI/NRF SARChi Chair Holder: Sustainable Preservation and Agroprocessing Research and the Director of the Postharvest and Agroprocessing Research Centre (PARC) at UJ.
This recognition places UJ at the forefront of impactful, interdisciplinary research, innovation, and sustainability in South Africa and beyond.

The NSTF-TIA Green Economy Award went to Prof Nobanathi Maxakato for her work pioneering research into sustainable pathways for green energy solutions.

As the founder and team leader of Materials for Energy Research at UJ, Prof Maxakato’s research work in chemistry is groundbreaking.

“I am truly humbled and honoured for this recognition. It reminds me that all the late nights, experiments and challenges experienced were worth it. I have always been passionate about science and technology because I was curious to know what happens when you mix the solutions in the lab and I also wanted to make new discoveries. This recognition shows me that curiosity and hard work do pay off. This will motivate me and my research team to work even harder.”

She thanked her students, academic mentor Prof Philiswa Nomngongo, her friends and colleagues and to the university for giving her the go ahead to conduct the research.

UJ was also represented by its students through the NSTF Brilliants Programme. These students must have received top marks in mathematics and physical science in the National Senior Certificate Examinations (Grade 12) of the previous year.

This year 19 students were chosen.

Takatso Aubrey Sibanda, a 17-year-old first year Mechanical Engineering student at UJ spoke about his experience in the programme.

“I grew up seeing people living in dilapidated buildings, driving on bad roads and insufficient water access. I would always ask myself why this was so. With the high unemployment rate, my mother being a statistic of this as well, I want to work towards building better homes for people and assist in pipeline infrastructure,” said the visibly emotional young man.

In the future Takatso would like to start an initiative supporting youth academics.

“This is more than a celebration of individual excellence, but it illustrates a reflection of UJ’s commitment to solving global challenges through research, innovation and community empowerment,” said Prof Lethokwa Mpedi, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UJ. “We are incredibly proud of the researchers whose work continues to transform lives and reimagine the future.”