The competition, hosted on Ocean Sciences Campus on 11 September, featured nine PhD students and three new entries of master’s students, required participants to condense their research thesis into a three-minute presentation using terminology that can be understood by a non-expert audience.
Additionally, the competition was a vibrant display of the University’s dedication to research and effective communication, with the postgraduate students highlighting the real-world relevance and innovation of their work.
Clifford Uwuoruya (right) from Sociology took home the grand prize of R5000 in the PhD category, which had eight other participants from different research disciplines.
His research topic was entitled “I be African Man Original”: A study of the vernacular intellectual contribution of Fela Anikulapo Kuti in postcolonial Nigeria”.
By exploring prominent Nigerian musician, Fela Kuti’s role in shaping postcolonial discourse through his music, he emphasised the intersection of culture, politics, and the intellectual, by showcasing the profound influence of music on societal narratives.
Uwuoruya further stressed the need to decolonise education and how we understand societies, through the inclusion of African knowledge systems, and arguing that Kuti is an intellectual, who does not fit the classist mould of theorists, such as Antonio Gramsci.
Thembeka Sdinane (right) took home the runner-up prize of R3000, with her research topic, which explores religious rituals and psychological well-being in selected Zionist churches from rural communities in the Eastern Cape.
Sdinane’s research provided valuable insight into the role of religious rituals in enhancing mental health in rural areas, arguing that spirituality should not be excluded from psychology.
Her study guides psychologists on how they can include traditional knowledge systems, using the popular example of ‘ukuhlambulula’, which translates to cleansing, concluding that we should harmonise traditional and modern knowledge systems through culturally appropriate services.
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Among the captivating presentations in the PhD category was Fundile Nyaweni’s (right) animated and simplified explanation of mathematical modelling of the tumour treatment with chemotherapy.
She used the analogy of warriors vs invaders in a battle against cancer, with one cell trying to take over the body, while the immune cells try to protect it.
The competition for resources between cancer cells, immune cells, and normal cells are like plants competing for sunlight in a crowded garden.
Her mathematical model showed that with the right amount of chemotherapy, it’s possible to eliminate cancer cells, while allowing healthy and immune cells to recover.
Nyaweni emphasised the importance of early detection and personalised treatment to ensure the correct strategy for each patient.
The newly integrated master’s category featured three participants, namely Law’s Okuhle Maqina, Business and Economic Sciences’ Athule Nganibani, and Health Sciences’ Siyanda Mazibuko.
Mazibuko (right) took the top honours with the prize money of R3000, with Maqina and Nganibani being the runners-up with R1000 each.
Mazibuko’s research topic on the surveillance of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and resistance genes in the influent and effluent of a wastewater treatment plant in Nelson Mandela University, also won him the people’s choice award, worth R1000.
The judges comprised Mandela University’s Drs Priscilla Mensah and Palesa Mothapho, the University of Sussex’s Professor Erika Mancini and the National Research Foundation’s Michael Ellis.
They commended Mazibuko’s presentation for standing out for its urgent focus on antimicrobial resistance, a critical issue for public health. The significant impact of his work on local and global health policies, linking his research to practical applications in wastewater management was noted.
The judges, together with Mandela University’s Dr Pulleng Moleko-Boyce, who facilitated the event, expressed pride in the efforts of the participants.
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From left, Dr Priscilla Mensah, Michael Ellis, Dr Pulleng Moleko-Boyce and Dr Palesa Mothapho.
“The diversity of the topics and the passion with which you presented them was a true showcase of the academic potential of your community,” said Prof Mancini.
“I was impressed with the way you all navigated complex subject matters and translated your depth of knowledge into a clear and engaging presentation, which is important in today’s globalised world,” she added.
The 2024 3MT competition emphasised the University’s commitment to fostering research that address significant societal issues.
By enabling students to present their research in an accessible and engaging format, the event not only showcased their academic and communication skills, but also highlighted the impact of their work on real-world problems.