Dr Itumeleng Zosela and Professor Saartjie Roux
“As part of Nelson Mandela University’s Medical School, the Nanomedicine Platform is dedicated to contribute meaningfully to the development and training of enthusiastic young people, equipping them with skills and competencies required to participate fully in the economy”, says Professor Saartjie Roux, who holds the Chair DSTI-NMU Nanomedicine Platform at the Medical School.
By empowering students with knowledge and by providing training in cutting-edge research techniques and innovative thinking, the Nanomedicine Platform supports not only individual advancement but also the creation of future employment opportunities.
Its emphasis on entrepreneurship and commercialisation, underpinned by strong academic rigour, form central pillars of the developmental strategy.
Itumeleng reflects the heart of the Nanomedicine Platform. Beyond the scientific breakthroughs, her research highlights the strength that lies in returning to our African botanical knowledge.
Her doctoral research explored a powerful idea rooted in both modern science and African heritage: using medicinal plants to create gold nanoparticles for the treatment of colon cancer, Prof Roux said.
Itumeleng’s academic journey is marked not only by excellence in research but also by her dedication to uplifting others. She has mentored Nanoscience master’s students at the University and inspired young learners through the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists. She has presented her work at national and international conferences, reflecting her growing influence in the scientific community.
One of her proudest milestones was being selected as one of only four South Africans to join Novartis Pharma in Switzerland for a three-month research internship, which was an opportunity that broadened her horizons and strengthened her global footprint.
Itumeleng will undertake her postdoctoral fellowship at the Nanomedicine Platform, where she will continue her research in anti-cancer therapy and provide support to other students working at the Platform.
The Nanomedicine Platform does not only have postdoctoral researchers and staff who have expertise in nanomedicine, but is also equipped with advanced equipment, such as a microfluidic device or an impedance cell analyser. Prof Roux says.
Itumeleng shared: “I grew up as a small girl from KwaNtselamanzi location in Alice, carrying big dreams and an even bigger desire to make my parents proud. From a young age, I excelled in my studies, something many saw as a blessing, but excellence comes with its own weight. Behind every achievement lived the quiet fear of failure, the pressure to always be at the top, and the constant battle with self-doubt.
Her journey has been anything but smooth. After graduating with her BSc in Microbiology, she faced two difficult years of unemployment, despite being told that a degree would open endless doors. But life has a way of redirecting us.
She eventually received an internship at UWC, where she met her mentor, Dr Thandi Mgwebi. “She encouraged me to pursue my Honours, and her success as a young Black woman in South Africa showed me what was possible. She became my mirror of hope, and her example fuelled my determination to continue studying”, Itumeleng said.
She went on to complete her MSc in Nanoscience at Mandela University, where she graduated Cum Laude and boldly stepped into the journey of her PhD in Physiology, specialising in Nanomedicine. As a mother to a six-year-old daughter, the road was demanding and often overwhelming.
“I had to balance motherhood, a part-time job, and the intensity of postgraduate research. The sudden passing of my co-supervisor, Dr Mufamadi, broke me. There were many days when giving up felt easier, and I told myself, “At least I have my Master’s degree to fall back on.” But I held on to the promise I made to myself to finish what I started”, she shared.
The sleepless nights, the weekends spent in the lab with her daughter beside her, the tears, the doubt, and the sacrifice, every moment has been worth it. “I stand here today because of an extraordinary support system. My mother, who dropped everything to help raise my daughter so I could chase my dreams.
“My supervisor, Prof Roux, who supported me academically and emotionally. My family, my partner, and my friends whose unwavering support and love kept me going.
“Today, I stand filled with pride, gratitude, and joy. I am living proof that your background does not define your destiny. I am proof that even when the journey breaks you, you can rise again. I am proof that with perseverance, faith, and a heart that refuses to give up, anything is possible.
“This degree is not just my achievement, it is a symbol of resilience, hope, and the power of never giving up.”