Unisa's renowned scholars nominated for South Africa's Science Oscars

Unisa’s esteemed scholars have been nominated for the 28th National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-South32 Awards. Also known as South Africa’s Science Oscars, these prestigious awards recognise outstanding contributions to science, engineering, technology and innovation by individuals, teams, partnerships and organisations in the country.

The 2026 theme “Healthy aging” recognises the United Nations’ Decade of Healthy Aging (2021–2030), a global initiative spearheaded by the World Health Organization to change the attitudes of society towards aging; thus, improving the lives of older adults, their families, and communities.

The NSTF recently introduced new categories: the NSTF-Agricultural Research Council Award (in 2025) and the Research Software Awards (in 2026). Respectively, these awards recognise contributions towards sustainable agricultural management, knowledge generation and solutions, as well as contributions through the development, maintenance, or extension of research software within the South African context. A Unisa researcher has also been nominated in the new Research Software Awards category.

The consistent nominations of Unisa academics for these awards not only acknowledge their scholarly calibre and groundbreaking research, but they also reaffirm Unisa’s tenacious commitment to a vibrant and dynamic research culture, aimed at transforming society.

The nominations in various categories are as follows:

Lifetime Award:

• Prof Igor Alexandrowich Gorlach: Distinguished Professor, College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET)
• Prof Karen Renaud: Professor Extraordinaire, School of Computing, CSET
• Prof Zanghui Wang: Department of Electrical Engineering, CSET

TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher

• Prof Edward Nxumalo: Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS), CSET

TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher

• Dr Potlako John Mafa: Senior Postdoctoral Fellow, iNanoWS, CSET
• Prof Katleho Moloi: Research Professor and Leader: Machine Learning Theme, CSET (Also in the Engineering Research Capacity Development category)
• Prof Phumlani Fortune Msomi: Institute for Catalysis and Energy Solutions, CSET (Also in the NSTF-Technology Innovation Agency Green Economy category)
• Dr Lebea Nathnael Nthunya: Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Environmental Analytical Chemistry and Membrane Processes, CSET

Management Award

• Professor Marcia Mkansi: Department of Operations Management, College of Economic and Management Sciences (Also in the Research Software and the Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation categories)

Science Diplomacy for Africa Award

• Professor Malik Maaza: UNESCO-Unisa Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies

Innovation Award: Corporate Organisation Award

• Professor Lukas Willem Snyman: Retired Professor, Department of Electrical Engineering, CSET (Also in the Lifetime Award category)

The university congratulates the nominees and wishes them the best as they contend for the 28th NSTF-South32 Awards.

* By Nancy Legodi, Senior Journalist (acting), Department of Institutional Advancement

**Image credit: NSTF website (https://nstf.org.za)