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Awards for Excellence

08 December 2025

NSTF–South32 Awards

Dr Rachael Dangarembizi, a neuroscientist at UCT, has been awarded the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher at the 2024/2025 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-South32 Awards. The award recognises her pioneering research on cryptococcal meningitis (CM) – a disease that continues to cause untold devastation in Sub-Saharan Africa yet remains significantly under-researched.

UCT celebrated four new inductees who entered the College of Fellows, as well as three recipients of the College of Fellows Young Researchers award.
UCT celebrated four new inductees who entered the College of Fellows, as well as three recipients of the College of Fellows Young Researchers award. Photo Lerato Maduna.

UCT Fellows

Four new fellows were inducted to the College of Fellows, and three new College of Fellows Young Researchers awardees were recognised.

  • Professor Mohamed Jeebhay – Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Professor Catherine Orrel – Faculty of Commerce
  • Professor Amrita Pande – Faculty of Humanities
  • Professor Haris Skokos – Faculty of Science

The Young Researcher Award is offered annually in recognition of outstanding scholarly work by young academics who have made significant independent contributions to research in their field.

In 2024, three young researchers were recognised.

  • Dr Leo Boonzaier – Faculty of Law
  • Dr Gaopalelwe Mathiba – Faculty of Law
  • Dr Melissa Nel – Faculty of Health Sciences

World Academy of Science

Four UCT researchers were elected as Fellows of the World Academy of Science (TWAS) – the only South Africans to be recognised by the academy in 2024.

  • Professor Alison Lewis – Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment
  • Professor Ntobeko Ntusi – Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Professor Harald Winkler – Faculty of Commerce
  • Professor Liesl Zühlke – Faculty of Health Sciences

The Academy of Science of South Africa Science-for-Society Gold Medal

Prof Keertan Dheda
Prof Keertan Dheda Photo ASSAF.

The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) presented its Science-for-Society Gold Medal to University of Cape Town (UCT) Professor Keertan Dheda for his outstanding contributions to scientific thought. Additionally, several UCT researchers were inducted into ASSAf at a ceremony in October 2024, with Dr Sabelo Hadebe joining the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS).

National Research Foundation Awards

UCT researchers proudly celebrate their success at the NRF Awards, where they were recognised for their outstanding research, innovation and impact.
UCT researchers proudly celebrate their success at the NRF Awards, where they were recognised for their outstanding research, innovation and impact. Photo NRF.
  • Champion of Research Capacity Development and Transformation Award – Professor Eric van Steen, Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment
  • Research Excellence Award: Next Generation Researchers – Sancho Nyoni, Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment
  • Science Team Award – African Brain Child

Ratings-based awards

First rating

  • Professor Edward Sturrock, Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Emeritus Professor Sue Harrison, Faculty of Engineering & the Built Environment

Second rating

  • Professor Keertan Dheda, Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Professor Kelly Chibale, Faculty of Science

Third rating

  • Professor Heather Zar, Faculty of Health Sciences
  • Professor Ed Rybicki, Faculty of Health Sciences

P-rating

P-ratings are assigned to researchers considered likely to become future international leaders in their respective fields based on their demonstration of exceptional potential. Usually under the age of 35, these are researchers who have held a doctorate of equivalent qualification for less than five years. Three UCT researchers obtained this rare and exceptional rating.

  • Dr Itumeleng Monageng, Faculty of Science
  • Dr Jan Buys, Faculty of Science
  • Dr Mubeen Goolam, Faculty of Health Sciences

PASS Awards

Vice-Chancellor’s awards

Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Service Excellence

  • The Department of Chemistry’s Occupational Health Safety and Environment
Representatives from The Department of Chemistry’s Occupational Health Safety and Environment unit receive their Service Excellence Award.
Representatives from The Department of Chemistry’s Occupational Health Safety and Environment unit receive their Service Excellence Award. Photo Robin Thuynsma.

Social Responsiveness Award

  • Professor Elena Moore – Faculty of Humanities
Prof Elena Moore (centre) and researchers from the Family Caregiving of Older Persons in Southern Africa receive their Social Responsiveness Award.
Prof Elena Moore (centre) and researchers from the Family Caregiving of Older Persons in Southern Africa receive their Social Responsiveness Award. Photo Robin Thuynsma.

Global Citizenship Award

  • Institute of Preparedness and Prevention of Pandemics (PASS)
  • Professor Victoria Gibbon (academic) – Faculty of Health Sciences
The Institute of Preparedness and Prevention of Pandemics in the Research Office receive their Global Citizenship Award for PASS staff.
The Institute of Preparedness and Prevention of Pandemics in the Research Office receive their Global Citizenship Award for PASS staff. Photo Robin Thuynsma.

UCT Book Award

  • Dr Chantel Stewart – Faculty of Health Sciences

Meritorious Book Prize

  • Professor Wahbie Long – Faculty of Humanities

Creative Works Award

  • Professor Rebecca Ackermann – Faculty of Science

Alan Pifer Award

  • Professor Keertan Dheda

M&G’s 200 Young South Africans

Agriculture

  • Lesego Makgoba

Arts and entertainment

  • Elroy Fillis-Bell
  • Ameera Conrad
  • Dalin Oliver

Business

  • Gift Pule
  • Inam Qoma
  • Harry Scherzer

Education

  • Sthabile Kolwa
  • Sibusiso Mdhluli

Energy

  • Ashanti Kutala Mbanga
  • Tshilidzi Samuel Ramunenyiwa

Entrepreneurship

  • Bonga Masoka

Film and media

  • Zola Ayabulela Mhlongo
  • Itumeleng Mpofu
  • Daniel Steyn

Financial services

  • Thembisa Vanesa Luthuli

Governance

  • Jabulisile Shabalala

Health and wellness

  • Biancha Mentoor

Legal services

  • Emogine Bohitile

Mining and manufacturing

  • Bevan Mongwe

Technology and innovation

  • Sange Maxaku
  • Fanelesibonge Mbuyazi
  • Jess Rees

Tourism and hospitality

  • Haydn Henning

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