Two emerging researchers funded by the SAMRC’s Division of Research Capacity Development (RCD) won the DSI-Ndoni Mcunu Fellowships: Doctoral Awards category at the 2023 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA).
The SAMRC’s Vice-President of Extramural Research and Internal Portfolio, Prof Liesl Zühlke, was a second runner-up in the category of Distinguished Women Researchers Award (Natural and Engineering Sciences) at the same awards.
The two emerging researchers are Thendo Makhado, funded under the SAMRC Researcher Development Programme, and Ramakgahlela Betty Sebati, funded under the SAMRC Internship Scholarship Programme.
Thendo is a junior lecturer in nursing at the University of Venda. Her PhD project focuses on developing epilepsy life skills education guidelines for primary schools in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces, with the goal of fostering an inclusive learning environment for all children.
She has published three articles from her PhD study and has a total of 10 publications on nursing-related topics, including two book chapters. In addition to developing and validating epilepsy life skills education guidelines, she has facilitated a partnership between the University of Venda and a local special school, working to educate and empower parents of children with special needs.
Betty is a PhD student at the University of Johannesburg in the SAMRC/UJ Pan African Centre for Epidemics Research Extramural Unit. Her PhD project focuses on assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the HIV care continuum among men who have sex with men in South Africa. Ms. Sebati has published 10 peer-reviewed articles, including one book chapter, and has presented her work at numerous prestigious conferences, one of which was the Lindau Nobel Laureates Meeting in 2023. She was one of only nine South Africans selected among 635 young scientists from around the world to attend.
When asked for comment, Dr Abeda Dawood, RCD Division Manager, said, “There are various ways to assess the accomplishments of researchers, with the most visible form of honour being a national award, particularly for emerging researchers. It is a sign of excellence! It is exciting and heartwarming to see RCD beneficiaries receive such recognition. RCD is dedicated to helping young scientists realise their vision and reach their potential”.
The Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) has been hosting SAWiSA since 2003 to recognise the achievements of women scientists and researchers and profile them as role models for the next generation of women scientists.
Awards are made in the categories: Distinguished Young Woman and Distinguished Woman Researcher in the Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural (Life and Physical) and Engineering Sciences, as well as in any field aligned with the theme.
SAWiSA also includes awards for currently registered master's and PhD students, namely, the DSI Fellowships. The DSI Fellowships category was renamed the DSI-Ndoni Mcunu Fellowships in honour of the late Ndoni Mcunu’s memory and legacy as a brilliant young scientist and phenomenal woman.
Mcunu was one of South Africa's leading young scientists in climate change, a social entrepreneur, and the founder of Black Women in Science. The 2023 awards were held on 8th September 2023 under the theme, "Harnessing technological change and innovation to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls."