WOMEN IN SCIENCE Contents Degenderising Science: Message from Professor Azwinndini Muronga, 3 Executive Dean of Science Dr Avela Majavu: Chemist in Research & Development Department at 4 Sibanye-Stillwater Dr Hlamulo Makelane: Research Fellow, Nelson Mandela University 6 Dr Mpho Phiri: Postdoctoral researcher at the Centre for Rubber Science & 8 Technology, Department of Chemistry, Nelson Mandela University. Dr Muthumuni Managa: Postdoctoral Associate in the Institute for 10 Nanotechnology Innovation, Department of Chemistry, Rhodes University. Dr Pulleng Moleko-Boyce: Postdoctoral Research Fellow & Lecturer, 12 Department of Chemistry, Nelson Mandela University Aviwe Matiwane: PhD Candidate & Augmented Programme Lecturer, 14 Rhodes University Thina Zukiswa Maqubela: Lecturer in Department of Statistics, 16 Rhodes University 2 Degenderising Science Message from Professor Azwinndini Muronga, Executive Dean of Science Everything we do as science faculties needs to be extremely forward thinking for our students, graduates and ourselves to thrive in the 21st century. The rapidly evolving Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) brings with it unanticipated opportunities, while the uncertain, changed world in which we are living requires of all us to be innovative, transformative and inclusive, and to engage with the issues and opportunities of our time. The Faculty of Science at Nelson Mandela University is, accordingly, in the process of finalising our Strategy and Vision 2030. Within its core ideology is the basic principle and philosophy of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Science. Within this broad philosophy and principle lies gender equity which should be addressed through our three focus areas of Learning & Teaching, Research, Training and Innovation, and Engagement and Partnerships. We are striving towards diversity in its holistic sense. We should be living by our philosophy and principle. In our governance structures, in our student and staff profile as well as in our desired culture we should prioritise gender equity. At the moment the faculty is working hard to address the need for black women scientists. It is imperative for all the sciences across the higher education landscape to prioritise the attraction and retention of black women scientists and to confront Our Faculty of that the strategy addresses the the existing outdated traditions and current challenges faced by women systematic suppression of the voice Science has scientists, in order to realise our of women in science. We all have Vision 2030. the responsibility of eradicating the committed suppression and academic bullying We have a window of opportunity of women scientists in our academic to shape the future of science, environments. When we see this to proactively technology and innovation in ways happening, all good men and women that promote the common good, in the sciences should stand up, call promote women enhance human dignity and health, the bullying out, and contribute to and protect the environment, so too permanently righting this wrong. scientists in our must we encourage all girl children, learners, students and woman Our Faculty of Science has structures so that scholars to pursue a science and committed to proactively promote mathematics education at school and women scientists in our structures at university. If we miss this window, so that we address the challenges we address the the challenges we face today of of gender equity structurally. We call inequality, poverty, unemployment, upon women scientists to be part of challenges of environmental degradation, health all task teams and working groups pandemics, and gender disparity involved in shaping the Faculty gender equity will only become worse. This will Strategy and Vision 2030. Especially compromise the well-being of all. as we are starting to discuss the We hope to see many more women implementation plan for the next structurally. scientists in the top echelons of 10 years. Now is the time to ensure society and higher education. 3 Dr Avela Majavu Chemist in Research & Development Department at Sibanye-Stillwater Tell us about yourself. Place of Birth: Kentani/Centane Village, Eastern Cape. I am from a family of five siblings and we were raised by both parents (Nozuko and Mntuwekhaya Majavu). I still have my grandmother, who is 99 years old. Qualification: PhD, Chemistry Job title: Chemist in Research and Development Department at Sibanye-Stillwater since 2016. Sibanye-Stillwater is one of South Africa’s largest mining companies producing platinum group metals. Personal interest/ambition: To be a technical manager or consultant in one of the leading research institutes, such as the Council for Geoscience, the CSIR or Mintek. What do you do in your spare time? Are you involved in any social or community projects or initiatives? I tutor undergraduates and teach high school students through a number of community projects. As a scientist, I believe it is my responsibility to support science students and cultivate in them an interest in science and understanding of how we do science. I have learnt that teaching goes beyond material content; as a interest in chemistry, which is what I pursued all the way to teacher I am able to provide mentorship to young people and obtaining my PhD. My first working experience was at Aspen help them gain skills that will serve them in the future. I see it as Pharmacare as a senior analytical chemist, where I was dealing an opportunity to shape leaders and train our future scientists with customer samples and investigation of medications. It for the betterment of our society. required total dedication and accuracy, as I was dealing with people’s lives and the quality of the results was essential to the I am member of Women in Mining South Africa and Black customers and industry. Women in Science. Through this organisation I have: What is your field of study and why did you choose this • Featured in True Love magazine, August 2020, in an article particular field? titled ‘Class of 2020 Women are coming for everything’. • Judged Nka’Thuto EduPropeller on their final innovation I specialised in analytical and inorganic chemistry. I enjoy Expo under STEM and business categories 2019. research as I enjoy facing and overcoming challenges. I am • Attended Scientific Skills (writing and publishing) workshop, always keen to learn about new topics and I find it exhilarating 2019. to be researching something that has not been studied before. • Attended Business and Entrepreneurship Skills workshop, Through my tutoring and mentoring at the University of 2019 KwaZulu-Natal and Rhodes University, I have become aware of • Was exposed to science communication and branding skills, my strength in teaching and motivating students and crafting 2020 instructional activities to best fit their needs and individual differences. What is your scientific background? Why did you choose to become a scientist? My science background actually started in primary school when a teacher of mine, the late Mr L. Budu, introduced me to the As I mentioned above, my late primary teacher Mr L. Budu subject. He made a point of helping me to understand what encouraged me to explore science and mathematics for the science is all about and to teach me the basics, and I fell in love challenge and excitement of discovery. I was further moved with it right then and there. As a village school, we did not have to be a scientist by the excitement I felt in the laboratory in laboratories and my first exposure to working in a laboratory was which I worked as undergraduate. I realised that science affects at university. It was so fascinating that I developed a particular almost every aspect of our lives, from the food we eat to the 4 technology we use. I knew then that being a scientist is what I Prof Tshentu’s supervision I now have four publications, one wanted to be; you are not limited to one field, you can explore local and three international. as many fields as you like according to your interests. Without Prof Tshentu’s encouragement, I might not have Give a brief overview of what your job entails. accomplished these things. I still have a great relationship with him, as we are currently collaborating on resin development for As Chemist in Research and Development, I am currently the separation of iridium and rhodium, sponsored by the South providing technical/chemistry support for all Sibanye-StillWater African Minerals to Metals Research Institute (SAMMRI). precious metal refinery plant operations, participating in process optimisation projects and advising on process changes As someone who was once very introverted, I am an extrovert according to the management of change protocols. I conduct now and this has helped me to form wonderful alliances and research and introduce new technology where applicable for friendships, including meeting Ms Ndoni Mcunu, a founder continuous improvement. I also help to execute the agreed of Black Women in Science, who is also a friend now. She has scope of work for all projects. inspired me a lot and exposed me to so many activities to grow my profile. What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your work, and how did you overcome it? Another important mentor in my life is the chairperson of Women in Mining South Africa, Thabile My biggest challenge was to adapt Makgala. She has great leadership skills, from research chemistry in the academic and I am hoping that one day I, too, will be world to the production industry and a leader like her. process chemistry. It took me two years to really understand the whole process I am currently being coached by senior environment and how things are done scientist Marthie Kotze on technical in order to confidently provide technical management skills relevant to the Platinum support for all the plants. I sought help Do not Group Metals (PGM) industry and mining from my experienced colleagues but it sector, and also how to optimally utilise my was hard for me in the beginning as I felt let your chemistry skills as a specialist in my area of overwhelmed by it all.