UJ researchers know the compounds of success

Two University of Johannesburg (UJ) researchers were honoured at the prestigious 2023/2024 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-South32 Awards. Dubbed the ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa, these awards recognise exceptional contributions to science, technology, and innovation.

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Celebrating its 26th year, the NSTF Awards is the largest and most esteemed national awards programme in the country. It spotlights research and technological advancements that are shaping the nation’s future, particularly in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).

Prof. Ben-Erik van Wyk, who holds the Department of Science and Innovation/National Research Foundation South African Research Chairs Initiative in Indigenous Plant Use at UJ, received the Lifetime Award for his extensive work as a botanist. An authority on the traditional and commercial uses of plants, Prof. van Wyk has authored numerous books and publications covering a wide range of socially relevant and commercialised plant species worldwide.

Receiving the award, Prof. van Wyk expressed his gratitude and dedication to fellow academics in the field. “I have spent many years immersed in this discipline, often referring to myself as the ‘professor of books’. However, it is the field experts who are the true intellectuals, possessing profound knowledge about the uses of plants that span centuries.”
He said it’s their years of experimentation, trial, and error, that have paved the way for future innovations. He firmly believes that African plants hold significant potential for contributing to South Africa’s socio-economic development. He dedicated this award to his mentors and the esteemed professors who have guided and inspired him.

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Prof. Tebogo Mashifana, the head of the Department of Chemical Engineering Technology at UJ, was named a joint winner in the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher category.
Her research is pioneering innovative circular economy principles to mitigate environmental impacts from wastewater and solid waste.
Prof. Mashifana’s work is said to be revolutionising how industrial waste is viewed and treated, reshaping the landscape of environmental engineering in South Africa and beyond.

Her efforts have led to significant real-world applications, including a provisional patent for using modified waste materials as substitutes for conventional binding agents like cement. This innovative approach transforms various waste streams into building materials such as paving blocks, roof tiles, and bricks.

Reflecting on her research, Prof. Mashifana said, “Pursuing innovative research has taught me the importance of high-quality work and steadfast determination to pave the way for progress, even in the face of adversity. This award inspires me to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation; it is a career-defining achievement that I embrace with great humility.”

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