College of Science, Engineering & Technology

Unisa nominees gear up for the Science Oscars

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The NSTF Awards are a flagship project of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF). The awards have been hosted in partnership with mining and metals company South32 since 2016 under the banner of the NSTF-South32 Awards.

Themed the 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology this year, the NSTF-South32 Awards recognise outstanding contributions to science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation by individuals, teams and organisations in South Africa. The awards are one of the largest, most comprehensive and most sought-after of their kind in South Africa, and the first science awards in the country under the democratic dispensation.

Academics at Unisa are active scholars who are continuously engaged in pushing the boundaries of their respective fields. From groundbreaking work in the sciences and engineering to breakthroughs in the humanities and social sciences, Unisa’s researchers are making significant strides in pursuit of broadly positioning Unisa as a research-driven institution. Recognition such as nomination for the 2024/2025 NSTF-South32 Awards recognise their hard work that not only is for personal benefit, but benefits the university and society in order to remain abreast of best societal improvements.

The following Unisans received a nod under various categories from the NSTF adjudication panel of independent judges, representing six different sectors of the NSTF membership of almost 150 organisations:


Lifetime Award

The award acknowledges individuals who have made a lasting impact on South African SET and innovation over a sustained period of 15 years or more.

Unisa nominee:

  • Prof Christopher Chintua Enweremadu of the Department of Mechanical, Bioresources and Biomedical Engineering in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET) was nominated for his contribution to research that is focused on harnessing locally available biomass and solar energy to improve energy access in non-electrified communities.


TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher

The award recognises the contribution of researchers to research and its outputs over a period of up to 15 years after the awarding of a PhD or equivalent, predominantly in South Africa. The prize accompanying the award is sponsored by proSET (Professionals in science, engineering and technology), a sector of the NSTF representing almost 50 professional bodies and learned societies.

Unisa nominees:

  • Prof James Chibueze, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences, CSET, was nominated for his work in intra-cluster magnetic fields and jets of a radio galaxy.
  • Prof Velaphi Msomi, Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, CSET, was nominated for his contribution to environmentally friendly advanced manufacturing technology.

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Prof Christopher Chintua Enweremadu, Prof James Chibueze and Prof Velaphi Msomi


TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher 

The award recognises the contribution of researchers to research and its outputs over a period of up to six years after the awarding of a PhD or equivalent, predominantly in South Africa. The prize accompanying the award is sponsored by the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS).

Unisa nominees:  

  • Prof Ndzondelelo Bingwa, Associate Professor in the Institute for Catalysis and Energy Solutions (ICES), CSET, was nominated for his work in the conversion of biomass and bio-derived compounds into sustainable fuels and fuel additives.
  • Dr Muthumuni Managa, Senior Lecturer in the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS), CSET, was nominated for her contribution to an approach to keep water safe in water storage systems, using sunlight.
  • Professor Thapelo Mosetlhe, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, CSET, was nominated for his contribution to advancing sustainable energy solutions with smart technologies for off-grid communities in Africa and beyond.


Communication

This award recognises a communicator who has made an outstanding contribution to SET through a substantial impact in terms of outreach and creating public awareness of SET within the last five years.

Unisa nominee:

  • Prof Mpho Ngoepe, Executive Director of Library and Information Services, was nominated for his active participation in library and information services, corporate governance, and indigenous language advocacy. In 2023, he featured among the world’s top 2% of scientists as announced by Elsevier and Stanford University.

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Prof Ndzondelelo Bingwa, Dr Muthumuni Managa, Prof Thapelo Mosetlhe, and Prof Mpho Ngoepe

As the announcement of the NTFS-South32 Awards winners on 31 July 2025 approaches, the Unisa community eagerly anticipates celebrating the achievements of its nominated academics. Their recognition on this prestigious platform will not only honour their individual contributions but also further solidify Unisa’s national and international stature as an institution where academic excellence, driven by a commitment to research and continuous improvement, thrives.

You can access a list of all the nominees here.  

* Compiled by Godfrey Madibane, Acting Journalist, Department of Institutional Advancement

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Publish date: 2025/05/06

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