The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is celebrating three academics who are finalists in the 2025/2026 NSTF-South32 Awards – also known as the 'Science Oscars' of South Africa.
It is the country's premier awards event recognising excellence in science, engineering, technology and innovation.
The finalists are:
Prof Ajay Kumar Mishra, the Director of the Sustainable Materials Laboratory and the Academy of Nanotechnology and Wastewater Innovations.
He is vying for the NSTF-Water Research Commission (WRC) Award for his contribution to “smart and innovative nanotechnology applications for environmental sustainability”. He is the SARChI (South African Research Chairs Initiative) Chair in Membrane Technology and Waste Valorisation.
Prof Lindiwe Khotseng, a full professor of Analytical Chemistry, is competing for the NSTF-TIA Green Economy Award for “advancing SA’s green economy by transforming agricultural waste into sustainable nanomaterials for clean energy technologies, supporting a just transition to a low-carbon future”. She is the SARChI (South African Research Chairs Initiative) Chair in Agricultural Waste Valorisation for Sustainable Energy Transition.
Prof Malik Maaza, is the UNESCO Africa Chair, a full professor and Senior Scientist at UNISA, and an extraordinary professor at UWC. He is in the running for the Science Diplomacy for Africa Award for “pioneering the multi-disciplinary field of nanosciences and nanotechnologies in Africa”.
Congratulating the academics, UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Robert Balfour, said: “Our finalists are a testament not only to the excellence of their individual scholarship and innovation, but also to UWC’s enduring commitment to research that advances knowledge, addresses pressing societal challenges, and contributes to sustainable development. We are immensely proud of their achievements and wish them every success as they progress in this prestigious national competition”.
The winners of the 2025/2026 NSTF-South32 Awards will be announced at the NSTF-South32 Awards Gala Event on 16 July 2026. The awards are regarded as South Africa’s foremost recognition platform for outstanding contributions to science, engineering, technology and innovation.
The UWC community joins in congratulating the finalists and wishes them every success ahead of the announcement of the winners.
