The finalists in the awards known as the “Science Oscars” are:
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Dr Mapula Razwinani – Researcher: Female Academic Leadership Fellowship (FALF); FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) Mandela Research Chair: Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion, in the TW Khambule-NSTF Emerging Researcher category and
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Dr Denise Schael, Director of the Institute for Coastal and Marine (CMR) in the Communication Award category.
The NSTF Awards, in partnership with co-branding sponsor South32, recognise outstanding contributions to science, engineering, technology and innovation in South Africa by individuals, teams, partnerships and organisations since 1998. Nominees compete for 20 awards under 16 categories.
Dr Schael said, “we are honoured and excited that the CMR are finalists for the NSTF Communication Award. The nomination recognises the Institute’s evolving and sustained science communication strategy, which seeks to connect ocean, coastal and climate-related research with society through public engagement, digital communication, outreach initiatives and interdisciplinary collaboration. It is encouraging to see institutional science communication recognised as an important component of research impact, societal engagement and environmental awareness.”
She explained that the CMR brings together expertise from across the natural sciences, social sciences, law, humanities, engineering and governance to communicate ocean issues in a holistic and socially relevant way. Through seminars, workshops, exhibitions, educational initiatives and digital platforms, the Institute promotes ocean literacy, supports evidence-based dialogue and encourages broader public engagement with environmental and climate-related challenges. “This nomination reflects the collective efforts of our researchers, students, staff and collaborators.”
Dr Razwinani said being a finalist is an incredible honour. I am deeply humbled and honestly overwhelmed with gratitude. This moment reflects years of consistent work, resilience, and commitment to building science that matters. Moments like this are rare, and I hold them with profound appreciation, as they reflect not just individual effort, but a collective journey of scientific contribution and transformation,”.
She leads a South African Medical Research Council Early Investigators Programme on Pterocarpus angolensis and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. “My work sits at the intersection of deep-tech scientific discovery and cross-border commercial execution. Since 2016, I have been actively translating academic research into a spin-out enterprise, securing granted patents in South Africa and Europe. I supervise postgraduate students, contribute to grant writing, publications, and policy outputs, and engage in capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and transdisciplinary research across health, entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems,” explained Dr Razwinani.
According to the organisers of NSTF-South32, a finalist, is defined, as a nominee who, in the opinion of the adjudication panel, is considered eligible for the award. This means that the nominee has “made a significantly outstanding contribution to science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation in South Africa and qualifies to be considered as a potential winner.
Other Nelson Mandela University nominees were:
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Dr Zikhona Tywabi-Ngeva – Lecturer and Researcher: School of Physical Sciences Cluster, Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science, in the TW Khambule -NSTF Researcher- category.
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Engineering Engagement Director of the eNtsa–uYilo eMobility Programme, Julien de Klerk, in the Engineering Research Capacity Development category and
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Professor Jean Greyling, Associate Professor and Head: Department of Computing Sciences, in the Science Diplomacy for Africa category.
Director of Research at Mandela University, Dr Palesa Mothapo said, “these finalists reflect the depth of talent, innovation, research excellence, and societal impact emerging from our university community. From advancing scientific discovery and entrepreneurship to driving science diplomacy, engineering innovation, and public engagement, all our nominees embody the transformative role of research in shaping a more inclusive, sustainable, and knowledge-driven Africa,” said Dr Mothapo.
She congratulated the nominees and finalists for continuing to position Nelson Mandela University as a leading contributor to science, technology, innovation and the advancement of society.”
The winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 16 July in Cape Town in a hybrid event.