MechChem Africa August 2017

The NSTF-South32 Awards were held at a prestigious Gala Dinner in Gauteng on Thursday, 29 June 2017. It was the 19 th celebration of this flagship project of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF). Winners of the 2016/2017 NSTF-South32 Awards

(#IY2017) declared by the United Nations). The national NSTF-South32 Awards are the largest SET and innovation awards in South Africa. They are known as the ‘Science Oscars’ and were the first science awards in the country. The focus is on spreading informationabout SET to thepublic, which in- cludes theyear-longengagement programme with students and learners called the ‘Share ‘n Dare’ Programme. The NSTF Brilliants Programme recognises the topmatric achiev- ers in mathematics and physical science and exposes them to the SET network for future careers and motivation. These youth pro- grammes are sponsored by the Carl & Emily Fuchs Foundation. The awards were presented by the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, who is also the event’s patron. The winners were awarded with state-of-the-art trophies, manufactured through additive manufacturing (industrial 3D laser printing) with advanced materials (titanium). q

T he NSTF is the most representative multi-stakeholder non-profit forum in South Africa promoting SET, including mathematics and innova- tion, through collaborative effort. The NSTF- South32 Awards showcase the research and development capacity of our nation. The excellence of the winners to SET and innova- tion bring hope for the advancement of our country and the social upliftment of all people in South Africa. Outstandingcontributionstoscience,engi- neering and technology (SET) and innovation

were awarded and celebrated in the follow- ing broad areas under 13 distinct categories: Scientific research; Management and related activities;Capacitybuildinginengineeringand research;Environmentalsustainability;Water research and innovation (new award); Data management and stewardship (new award); Research leading to innovation; Science com- munication; Technology transfer, as well as education and training; and Sustainable tour- ism for development (special theme award in recognition of the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

Category

Winners

Achievement over a lifetime by an individual.

Prof Nicolas Beukes, Director: Department of Science and Technology (DST).

TWKambule-NSTF Awards for research and its outputs.

Prof Nancy Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya, Principal Investigator for South African Study on global AGEing and adult health and Prof Aletta Schutte – Unit Director: Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease, South African Medical Research Council. Prof John Ataguba, Associate Professor of the Health Economics Unit at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and Dr Robyn Pickering – Lecturer: Department of Geological Sciences, UCT. Prof João Rodrigues, Professor of Theoretical Physics and Head of the School of Physics at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). Prof Diane Hildebrandt, Professor of Chemical Engineering at Unisa and Prof Ochieng Aoyi, Professor and Head of Chemical Engineering at Vaal University of Technology. Prof Colleen Downs, Professor and SARChI Chair of EcosystemHealth and Biodiversity for the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

TWKambule-NSTF Awards for Emerging researchers.

Management and related SET activities by an individual over the last 5-10 years. Eskom-sponsored Engineering capacity development award. Research Capacity Development award other than Engineering. NSTF-GreenMatter Award towards achieving biodiversity conservation, environmental sustainability and a greener economy. NSTF-Water Research Commission Award towards achieving sustainable water management, knowledge generation and solutions.

Prof George Ekama, Professor of Water Quality Engineering, UCT.

Prof Bhekie Mamba, Executive Dean and Director of Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability at Unisa.

Data for Research Award.

DataFirst Director, MartinWittenberg of UCT.

Research leading to innovation award.

Prof Eugene Cloete, Vice-Rector of Stellenbosch University for his teabag water filter invention, Rotoscope, and other projects.

Research leading to innovation – Small, medium or micro enterprise by a team or individual. Communication for outreach and creating awareness by a team or an individual. Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) award for working towards technology transfer and education and training.

CenGen’s (Pty) Ltd, director and owner, Dr Renée Prins.

The DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials (CoE-SM) team: Prof Lesley Cornish; Prof Alex Quandt; Prof Deena Naidoo; and Mr Casey Sparkes. Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training NPC – Executive Director, Ms Lynette Bezuidenhout.

Special Annual Theme Award for Sustainable Tourism.

Prof Melville Saayman, Director of Tourism Research in Economic Environs and Society Unit, NWU.

6 ¦ MechChem Africa • August 2017