The Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI) has honoured several of UNISA’s female academics for “pushing the boundaries of knowledge” in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
These trailblazers were among the recipients of the DSTI’s 2025 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA) in Pretoria on August 21, 2025. They include Professor Zilungile Mkhize-Kitswana, of Unisa’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (CAES) and Professor Tebogo Pilgrene Mashifana, of Unisa’s College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET).
The recipients were recognised for excellence in their respective fields and for being an inspiration to younger women at the ceremony held under the theme, “Unpacking STEM careers: Her voice in science”. It also marked the 20th anniversary of the awards.
Professor Mkhize-Kitswana bagged the Distinguished Women Researcher Award: Public Engagement with Research. For her, this award is not only a personal achievement, but also a reflection of the collective effort of teams, mentors, colleagues, and, importantly, young female students that she has mentored.
“It validates decades of dedication to medical research, immunology, and public health, including in neglected areas, such as tropical diseases,” She says.
Mkhize-Kitswana adds: “The award celebrates women breaking barriers in science, research, and leadership. Such recognitions also encourage young women to pursue careers in this field and assure them that their contributions matter.”
Additionally, the academic notes the significance of her recognition in terms of representation, particularly for African women scientists in shaping global health and innovation.
Professor Mashifana scooped the second runner-up position in the category of Distinguished Young Women Researchers: Natural and Engineering Sciences.
She says the award affirms the impact of her work in helping South Africa find solutions to its environmental challenges.
“Being recognised for the SAWiSA is both humbling and affirming. It highlights the impact of my research in the circular economy, where I focus on closing the loop and transforming linear systems into circular ones by turning waste into sustainable solutions that address environmental and societal challenges.”
According to Professor Mashifana, the recognition also encourages her to keep pushing the boundaries of innovation and to inspire young women to perceive science as a tool for building resilient communities and a sustainable future.
She notes: “Science is all around us, and by embracing it and encouraging more women into STEMI (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and innovation) we can find solutions to some of the most pressing challenges facing our communities.”
The two academics were not the only award recipients from UNISA. Students Nolwazi Thabile Gazu and Nathma Samie, respectively studying towards their master’s degrees under CSET and the College of Human Sciences (CHS), received the DSTI-Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri Fellowships.
The fellowships are named after former Minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, one of the women leaders who made notable contributions to science, technology, and education policy in South Africa. Through the fellowship, DSTI says it aims to support postgraduate women researchers at critical stages in their academic journeys.
During the awards ceremony, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina, stated that the winners were worthy candidates because they stood out head and shoulders above their peers.
“These remarkable individuals that we are recognising today, continue to push boundaries of knowledge and innovation, enriching our understanding of the universe, society and of ourselves,” Gina said.
She added: “Their work demands exceptional talent and dedication, and today, we celebrate their excellence.”
Gina also mentioned that the 2024 South African Science, Technology, and Innovation Indicators Report highlighted steady progress in advancing gender equity in the STEM field, with an increase in the representation of women in scientific publications.
Furthermore, she noted that the enrollment and graduation of especially Black women in STEM at higher education institutions have also increased.
Congratulating the award recipients, Professor Les Labuschagne, Unisa’s Acting Vice-Principal of Research, Postgraduate Studies, Innovation and Commercialisation, remarked: “We are extremely proud of their achievements. It shows that Unisa delivers academics of a high calibre and that our transformation agenda of increasing the number of female academics is working.”
He concluded: “This is a fitting end to Women’s Month and an encouragement to our researchers to strive for research and innovation excellence.”
