From 2018 to 2022, the number of black South Africans funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) has increased from 73% to 84%, while the percentage of South African women rose from 53% to 59% with the number of black women in particular growing from 44% to 52%.
At the NRF Awards, the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, highlighted progress the country has made to transform the local scientific community. The event took place in the North West on 22 August 2024.
"There are currently 4 212 NRF-rated researchers. This year, of the 190 who have received their first NRF rating, more than 51% are Black South Africans and 38% are women," the Deputy Minister said.
In line with the country's celebration of 30 years of freedom, Ms Gina praised the significant progress that has been made in transforming the science system to be inclusive of black people and women.
"The NRF, an entity of the Department of Science and Innovation, has been instrumental in transforming our country's research landscape into one that is grounded in equity and inclusiveness," said Deputy Minister Gina. Through its support and funding programmes, the foundation has enabled the transformation of our scientific cohort, ensuring that our knowledge enterprise is both responsive and successful."
The NRF's progress achieved to date has been driven by its strategic pillars – transformation, impact, excellence and sustainability – and huge strides have been made to advance South Africa's research capabilities.
The Deputy Minister lauded the NRF's commitment to advancing scientific infrastructure and innovation through substantial investments in research facilities such as the South African Isotope Facility and the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, which have placed South Africa at the forefront of global research in the fields of particle physics and radio astronomy.
"The Presidential PhD Programme is a key human capital initiative that is expected to significantly boost South Africa's research capacity. The NRF has been tasked with establishing a dedicated PhD Project Office, with seed funding of R1 billion already secured in partnership with the National Skills Fund," she added.
As the NRF Strategy 2025 nears its conclusion, the foundation is optimistic about its future, with the NRF Strategy 2030 to further align the research enterprise with the Science, Technology and Innovation Decadal Plan and enhance its contribution to the goals outlined in the 2030 National Development Plan.
The Deputy Minister commended the winners of the 2024 NRF Awards for their exceptional contributions to South Africa's knowledge base. "We are proud of each of you and thank you for your sterling contributions to the country's knowledge base," she said.
This year's awards theme, "Celebrating 25 years of research, innovation, impact and partnerships", was underscored as particularly fitting to recognise individuals and groups who have made extraordinary contributions to knowledge generation, human capacity development and public engagement with research.
The Special Awards recognise extraordinary contributions to the South African knowledge base, while the Ratings-based Awards are based on a rigorous peer review system that evaluates the research impact of nominees over the past five years.
NRF CEO, Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, noted that the NRF's success is based on the partnerships it has developed with universities, as well as local, regional and international science councils and organisations. "Without these collaborations, we would not have been able to build the cohort of trained scientists we have today," he said.
In his welcome address, Prof. Mosa Moshabela, Chairperson of the NRF Board, congratulated the 2024 winners as well as recognising the NRF's 25 years of leading, promoting and supporting highly impactful research and innovation to advance the national system of innovation.
"Of course, this anniversary also is an important reflection; a moment for us to look back and take stock of how far we've come as the NRF over a whole quarter of a century," said Prof.Mashabela.
The Department congratulates the following winners of the NRF awards:
Special Awards
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Prof. Richard Cowling, Stellenbosch University
• Research Excellence Award for Next Generation Researchers:
- Ms Anthea David, University of KwaZulu-Natal
- Mr Sandile Ntethelelo Gumbi, University of KwaZulu-Natal
- Mr Edwin Hlangwani, University of Johannesburg
- Ms Meladi Lerato Motloutsi, University of South Africa
- Mr Sancho Nyoni, University of Cape Town
• Research Excellence Award for Early Career/Emerging Researchers
- Dr Hannes Erasmus, North-West University
- Prof. Usisipho Feleni, University of South Africa
- Dr Mbuzeleni Hlongwa, University of KwaZulu-Natal
- Dr Amanda-Lee Ezra Volmink Manicum, Tshwane University of Technology
- Prof. Sisanda Nkoala, University of the Western Cape
- Dr Boitumelo Ramatsetse, Stellenbosch University
- Prof. Mahloro Hope Serepa-Dlamini, University of Johannesburg
• Focussed Research Advancement Award
- Durban University of Technology
- University of Limpopo
• Public Engagement with Research Award: Prof. Kim Berman, University of Johannesburg
• Champion of Research Capacity Development and Transformation Award
- Prof. Eric van Steen, University of Cape Town
- Prof. Umesh Ramnarain, University of Johannesburg
• Societal Impact Award: DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical TB Research
• Science Team Award: African Brain Child Team, University of Cape Town
Ratings-based Awards
• P-Rated Researchers
- Dr Jan Moolman Buys, University of Cape Town
- Dr Itumeleng Matuba Monageng, University of Cape Town
• A-Rated Researchers for the first time
- Prof. Edward Sturrock, University of Cape Town
- Prof. Herman Wasserman, Stellenbosch University
• A-Rated Researchers for the second time
- Prof. Keertan Dheda, University of Cape Town
- Prof. Andrew Forbes, University of the Witwatersrand
- Prof. Anthony Onwuegbuzie, University of Johannesburg
- Prof. Anthony Reddie, University of South Africa (University of Oxford)
• A-Rated Researchers for the third time
• Prof. Glenda Gray, University of the Witwatersrand
• Prof. Roy Maartens, University of the Western Cape
• Prof. Edward Rybicki, University of Cape Town
• Prof. H. Simon Schaaf Department of Paediatrics and Child Health Stellenbosch University
• Prof. Heather Zar, University of Cape Town
• A-Rated Researcher for the fourth time: Prof. Jill Adler, University of the Witwatersrand
For more information, please contact Veronica Mohapeloa at 083 400 5750.
