UWC Prof Priscilla Baker with Cape Town-born musician Jonathan Butler during the National Orders ceremony in Pretoria on Tuesday. Image: Jairus Mmutle/GCISRespected University of the Western Cape (UWC) scientist and researcher Prof Priscilla Baker has added another prestigious honour to her growing list of accolades as she was awarded the Order of Mapungubwe in Bronze by President Cyril Ramaphosa this week.
On Tuesday, Prof Baker joined more than 30 distinguished South Africans honoured at this year’s National Orders ceremony in Pretoria, including revered Cape Town musician Jonathan Butler, who received the Order of Ikhamanga in Silver for his internationally acclaimed music career and contribution to the arts.
Other notable recipients honoured by President Ramaphosa included Rassie Erasmus, who received the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold for his visionary leadership of the Springboks, including guiding the team to multiple Rugby World Cup victories, and Prof. Salim Abdool Karim who received the Order of Mapungubwe in Gold for his contributions to public health, specifically in HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 research.
Last week President Ramaphosa announced the 38 recipients, and Prof Baker - an analytical chemistry scientist and UWC’s Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation - for her outstanding contribution to scientific research and leadership in science and technology, particularly in the field of electro-analytical chemistry.
The prestigious award recognises South Africans who have achieved excellence and made exceptional contributions that benefit the country and the world. National Orders are the highest awards that a country, through its President, bestows on its citizens and foreign nationals.
UWC Prof Priscilla Baker shows off her award with President Cyril Ramaphosa in Pretoria. Image: Jairus Mmutle/GCISProf Baker thanked the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) for nominating her and said the award is a collective achievement shaped by the many people and communities who have supported her throughout her life.
“It’s a great honour for me to be the recipient [of this award], but I’m fully aware that I do not stand alone,” she said, acknowledging the role of her family and the diverse cultural and faith communities that have been part of her journey.
“All of the people who have crossed my path in one way or another have been part of the making of a moment. I receive this award for all of us,” she said, citing that the honour is a reminder of hard work, excellence, commitment and the importance of uplifting one another.
Well-known for her groundbreaking research in electrochemistry, some of Prof Baker’s outstanding projects that could potentially solve world problems include the development of a biosensor for detecting uric acid in gout patients. As the co-director of the SensorLab research group at UWC with Prof Emmanuel Iwuoha, she is at the forefront of developing cutting-edge electrochemical sensors capable of detecting health biomarkers and environmental contaminants. These devices could revolutionise healthcare, particularly in underserved regions like rural Africa, by enabling early detection and continuous monitoring of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease.
Growing up in Bellville South in Cape Town, Prof Baker’s path to schooling and rise to leadership was not without obstacles. In the mid 1980s, her schooling was disrupted under PW Botha’s State of Emergency. However, in 1990, she rose to become the first woman of colour to graduate with a BSc in Physical Oceanography from the University of Cape Town. Despite facing systemic discrimination that prevented her from pursuing an honours degree in the field, Prof Baker’s achievements in science reflect her resilience, determination and strong leadership.
President Cyril Ramaphosa honours UWC Prof Priscilla Baker with the Order of Mapungubwe in Bronze for her outstanding contribution to scientific research and leadership in science and technology. Image: Jairus Mmutle/GCISFor her, receiving the Order of Mapungubwe is a reminder of the importance of national and international networks, and of working together “towards goals greater than ourselves…to never be intimidated or daunted by the next level. We reflect, and we say together: we have done it, because we all know that individually we can’t go fast, but together we can go far, and we leave a legacy that counts,” she said, crediting the DSTI for investing in women scientists and creating space for them to excel.
UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Robert Balfour, extended his congratulations to Prof Baker: “This is a proud testimony to Prof Baker's contribution to our University, our country and global scholarship: we are UWC. Well done, Prof Priscilla!"
Some of Prof Baker’s recent awards in 2025 include being appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa (RSSA) — one of the country’s highest recognitions for scientific excellence. The RSSA Fellowship is awarded to individuals who have demonstrated sustained, impactful contributions to research and scholarship in their field.
Earlier in the year, she was named the 2025 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Laureate for Africa and the Arab States, a global award that celebrates exceptional women scientists whose work is transforming the world.
An NRF (National Research Foundation) B-rated scientist, Prof Baker also serves as the SARChI Chair for Analytical Systems and Processes for Priority and Emerging Contaminants (ASPPEC) – a position that she has held since 2018.
