Acting secretary in the Department of Nursing Science Ms Cube is also the founder of the Grab and Go Foundation, a non-profit organisation that she established in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She was honoured in the Civic Society category.
Dr Zosela is a postdoctoral research fellow, scientist and community advocate whose work in nanomedicine, youth empowerment and STEM education has earned her recognition in the Health and Wellness category.
Leadership through service
For Ms Cube, what began as an initiative to provide meals to homeless people has grown into a recognised community organisation addressing food insecurity, supporting vulnerable University students, assisting orphanages and driving community development initiatives across the Eastern Cape.
She believes leadership is measured not by titles, but by the lives touched.
Her commitment to service began in 2015 and has shaped a career focused on youth empowerment, education, social justice, poverty alleviation and humanitarian relief.
Through strategic partnerships, volunteer programmes, fundraising and advocacy, Ms Cube works to expand access to food and educational support, as well as restore dignity and inspire others to become agents of change.
Her work has earned several honours, including the Humanitarian Award at the 2026 Fabulous Awards, runner-up in the Herald Citizen of the Year Awards for the Gqeberha region, and nominations for the 2026 Santam Women of the Future Awards and Women Supremacy Awards.
Grounded in her Christian faith and inspired by her mother’s resilience and compassion, Lumka believes a lasting legacy is built not on personal success, but on uplifting others with integrity, purpose and hope.
“This recognition is both humbling and inspiring, and I am grateful to have been acknowledged alongside many remarkable young leaders who are creating meaningful change across South Africa,” Ms Cube said.
She credits the recognition to the collective efforts of the volunteers, donors, partners and community members who continue to support the foundation’s work.
From nanoparticles to new hope
At 33, Dr Zosela is conducting research into nanoparticle-based approaches to cancer treatment, as well as helping young people from disadvantaged communities see themselves as future scientists, innovators and problem-solvers.
As a postdoctoral research fellow at Nelson Mandela University’s DSI-Mandela Nanomedicine Platform, she leads the cancer research group’s postdoctoral programme, developing innovative nanoparticle-based therapies for targeted cancer treatment.
Her work includes research management, postgraduate supervision, scientific publishing and collaborations across academia and industry, with a focus on advancing precision medicine.
Dr Zosela’s academic journey spans microbiology, medical biosciences and nanoscience. She completed her PhD in Physiology, specialising in Nanomedicine, at Mandela University in 2025.
Her doctoral research investigated the potential of green-synthesised gold nanoparticles, produced using medicinal plant extracts, for cancer therapy, with a particular focus on colon cancer.
Her commitment to research has also taken her beyond South Africa. She was selected as one of only four South Africans for a prestigious research internship at Novartis in Basel, Switzerland, where she gained international experience in pharmaceutical formulation and drug delivery.
For Dr Zosela, scientific research is about more than discovery. She is passionate about translating scientific knowledge into solutions that can improve human health and believes that innovation should be accompanied by opportunities for young people to participate in shaping the future.
“Being recognised by Mail & Guardian is deeply humbling. It is a reminder that the work we do, whether in the laboratory, in our communities or through mentoring others, can have an impact beyond ourselves.”
Dr Zosela is also a co-founder of the Own Your Path Foundation, which works to empower young people, particularly learners from disadvantaged communities, to recognise their potential and take ownership of their futures.
Through the foundation, she mentors high school learners, encourages problem-solving and confidence, and exposes young people to educational and career opportunities, particularly in STEM fields.
Her commitment to mentorship is rooted in her own experiences. She credits Professor Thandi Mgwebi with encouraging her to pursue postgraduate studies after a period of uncertainty about her career. That support helped her recognise her potential and pursue a career in science.
Today, Dr Zosela seeks to offer the same encouragement to others.
“I believe that every young person deserves to have someone who tells them that their dreams are possible. Sometimes all it takes is one opportunity, one mentor or one person who believes in you to change the direction of your life.”
Her journey from microbiology studies to doctoral research and postdoctoral work has been shaped by perseverance and a willingness to pursue opportunities for growth. She hopes her experience will encourage young people to look beyond the limitations they may place on themselves.
Read more about the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans for 2026