This year, four exceptional minds from Nelson Mandela University have been named among the finalists, highlighting the institution’s growing impact in shaping a more innovative, inclusive, and socially responsive future through research and leadership.
Prof Darelle van Greunen, Director of the Centre for Community Technologies (CCT) at Nelson Mandela University, is among the finalists and has been recognised in the Science Diplomacy for Africa Award category.
“It’s exciting, humbling, and deeply meaningful. It’s not about me. It’s about the team. And this recognition proves that our work matters not just in South Africa, but across the whole continent,”she said, emphasising the collective nature of this achievement.
Prof Van Greunen is a scientist dedicated to using science to make real change in everyday life. Her work is guided by a simple but powerful philosophy, “In Africa, for Africa, by Africans”.
“I get paid to live my passion. I love taking science and turning it into something meaningful for everyone. We ensure that even the most complex scientific ideas are
expressed in a language that everyone can understand,” she said.
The centre’s model is based on co-creation, working alongside the communities they aim to serve and Prof Van Greunen believes that the people experiencing the problems often have the best insights into how they might be solved, what they lack is the technical framework to bring these ideas to life.
“We don't think for people. We think with them. People know what their problems are, and often know what might work, too. Our job is to listen, then use our science skills to bring their ideas to life.,” she said.
For Prof Van Greunen, science isn’t just about knowledge it’s about courage. The world doesn’t just need thinkers. It needs doers who are unafraid to try”.
Another finalist is Prof Kerry-Lynn Thomson, whose passion for cybersecurity education and people-centred innovation continues to inspire and weave a tapestry of transformation in the country. Prof Thomson is an IT professor and director at the Centre for Research in Information and Cyber Security (CRICS).
Prof Thomson, and her CRICS team, have been nominated in the Communication Award category in recognition of outstanding efforts to bring science and technology to the broader public.
“We've communicated various aspects of cybersecurity, not just to learners, but to society at large. It's about helping people stay safe online," says Prof Thomson.
For Prof Thomson, the nomination is not only an honour, but a validation of years of dedicated work. “Just being shortlisted felt surreal, becoming a finalist was more than we hoped for,” she said. “We’re incredibly excited and proud, there's tough competition, but we’re holding thumbs for all the Nelson Mandela University nominees” she said.
What sets Prof Thomson apart isn’t just her technical expertise it’s her human-centred approach to cybersecurity. “I love technology but more than that, I love how it can help people. My work is about the human side of cyber safety, how we behave online and how we protect ourselves and others,” she said.
“Kids know how to navigate on these online platforms, but are they safe online? That’s the question we’re trying to answer with education that starts early,” she explains. For young scientists, Prof Thomson offers heartfelt advice that “Find your passion.” She warns against chasing careers solely for money or prestige.”Karl du Preez, a principal lecturer and director of the Mechanical Engineering department, was a finalist in the Engineering Research Capacity Development category.
He founded and continues to lead a specialised engineering unit that has been running for over 22 years. Du Preez said he applied on behalf of his unit in recognition of the work done across multiple projects, highlighting that the nomination is not just about him but about the collective effort of his entire team, technicians, administrative staff, engineers, and students alike.
He expressed immense pride in the growth of the unit and its ability to nurture talent. “We've seen students come in as interns and eventually become PhD scholars or full-time academics,” he said. Du Preez described his passion for working with young people as the most fulfilling part of his job. “We create an environment where students learn while they play with technology. They don’t even realise they’re learning sometimes it’s that immersive, ” said Du Preez.
Prof Magda Minguzzi, an Associate Professor and Leader of the Indigenous Knowledge System of the Built Environment Unit-IKSBEU in the School of Architecture was nominated in the category TW Kambule-NSTF Award Researcher (from 6 years up to 15 years of research predominantly in South Africa) for her ground-breaking research, on Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) and Indigenous living heritage, conducted in partnership with the KhoiSan Peoples.
“I perceive my work as an enriching journey, allowing me the honour of engaging and collaborating with remarkable individuals, such as the First Nations of South Africa.. Together we document their tangible and intangible heritage and I facilitate the re write of their "story”, from their viewpoint.
I will always be grateful to those who trust me to walk this journey with them", said Prof Minguzzi.
“I feel extremely honoured and humbled and very thrilled at the same time. This nomination tells us that we’re walking the right path,” said Prof Minguzzi.
For young researchers, Prof Minguzzi stressed the importance of passion, perseverance, and a high dose of humbleness. “It is always important to question our path as researchers, if the work we are doing is relevant for society and if it addresses the needs of disadvantaged communities.”