Sound it for our SETI Stars The Who’s Who of Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation in South Africa 2009/10 A National Science and Technology Forum Initiative Partners & Sponsors Partners Platinum Sponsors Media Sponsor Gold Sponsor Community • Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Support • Mintek • South African Medical Research Council (MRC) • South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa) • University of Cape Town • University of Johannesburg • University of Pretoria • University of Pretoria: Department of Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering • University of Stellenbosch • University of the Witwatersrand Contents 1 Focus on the NSTF 2 Message from the Chairperson of the NSTF 3 Adjudication of the Awards 4 Tribute to Dr TW Kambule 4 Tribute to Chief Adjudicator, Denis Frank Hunt 5 The Finalists: Individuals 13 The Finalists: Research for Innovation by an individual or a team through an Organisation/Institution 15 The Brilliants Programme for our future Innovators 20 The NSTF Share ‘n Dare Programme Focus on the NSTF The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) is the largest and most prominent multi-stakeholder representative forum for all science, engineering, technology and innovation (SETI) organisations in South Africa, which seeks to influence policy formulation and delivery. The NSTF was established in 1995, and has a proud history of involvement with SETI policy issues and the promotion of discussion about SETI matters. The NSTF Awards are unique in South Africa and the flagship project of the NSTF. The NSTF Awards encourage and reward excellence in Scientific Research, Technological Innovation, Education, Capacity Building, and Science Communication and therefore afford an opportunity for recognition on a national level to all practising scientists, engineers and technologists across the system of innovation. The significance, importance and relevance of these contributions cannot be over-emphasised since technology innovation, infrastructure creation and research effect economic growth, without which development would be stunted and poverty alleviation would remain a dream in South Africa. The ‘Brilliants Programme’ of the NSTF Awards hosts selected achievers in science, technology and mathematics in the school system and recognises and rewards them in various ways. NSTF Awards 2009/10 1 Message from the Chairperson Over the last five years, a great number of activities in South Africa have focussed on 2010. This special year has eventually arrived – and for some, a bit more rapidly than anticipated. When South Africa won the bid to host the World Cup Soccer, this seemed like a distant dream. Now the reality of that dream is upon us. I happened to be in London Heathrow shortly after the bid team had learned of their success and the celebratory blasts of the vuvuzelas were quite remarkable. Much water has passed under the bridge since that time and there is no question that the promise of hosting this sporting spectacular has deeply changed the landscape of South Africa. The building projects have been remarkable. Thanks to much hard work, planning and in many ways testimony to the technology infrastructure that exists in South Africa, the stadiums are ready, many new roads and structures have been completed (or are close to completion), the Gautrain has run its maiden voyage and we now wait in anticipation for the games to begin. Science and education in South Africa have been in the spotlight as our nation has worked towards the hosting of the World Cup. The need for qualified engineers, scientists and other skilled workers has never been more acute. This has all happened at a time when the world has dealt with the worst economic crisis since the great depression of the 1930s. South Africa has not emerged from the effects of the recession unscathed, but it has been reassuring to see the huge amount of development that has happened in the country during the course of the last year. The Government investment, particularly for infrastructure development in tertiary education, has been immense. We are hopeful that this will enable the country to produce many more of those science, engineering and technology graduates that it so sorely needs. And the NSTF must play a most important role in ensuring that this will come to pass. There is little question that the financial crisis has reduced the levels of funding available for research in the country. When finances are tight, budgets are cut and often the most vulnerable of these are those supporting research and development. This is because some of these investments are perceived (often times incorrectly) as non-essential. This is unfortunate as there is good evidence that industries with a persistent R&D strategy outperform those with irregular or no R&D investment programmes. Experiences from the great depression provide some vivid illustrations of this fact. I do not believe it would be hard to make the argument that countries with robust R&D strategies have economies that outperform those that do not invest in R&D. In South Africa we face the unfortunate challenge of dealing with the fact that many of our industries prefer to outsource their R&D to groups outside the country. It is my hope that as the economic climate improves, investment in research in South Africa will grow and that this will come from both the commercial and government sectors. This year we celebrate the 12th anniversary of the NSTF Awards. This gala event is an important part of the SETI Calendar in South Africa. Many of the most influential role-players in South Africa have become regular supporters, attending and contributing to the success of the event, which continues to grow in stature and recognition. The focus of the Awards Celebration is appropriately on the winners in the various categories that the NSTF wishes to recognise. We are most grateful to those people who have taken the time to prepare nominations. We are also grateful to our adjudication panel, headed by the ever enthusiastic and passionate Denis Hunt, which has worked tirelessly to select the winners. An awards celebration is not possible without the support of a great number of people beyond those involved in nominations and evaluation. I would thus like to use the opportunity to recognise the superb services provided by our Executive Director, Ms Jansie Niehaus, Mrs Wilna Eksteen, the NSTF Secretariat and the Awards Publicity Committee chaired by Ms Marie Ashpole of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering. This team, along with the volunteers of the National Youth Service Programme have worked tremendously hard and behind the scenes, to make the event a success. Holding an event such as this would not be possible without the support of our sponsors. Many of these companies and institutions have been staunch supporters of the NSTF Awards ever since their inception. I remain convinced that their support of the NSTF, continues to contribute substantially to promoting SETI and thus building the South African economy. My personal thanks, therefore, go to our sponsors for having the longer-term vision to support us in this endeavour. The official patron of the NSTF awards celebration is the Minister of Science and Technology, the Honourable Ms Naledi Pandor. We look forward to engaging with her and thank her sincerely and the DST for their enthusiastic support of the NSTF. On the occasion of our 12th anniversary, I take great pleasure in celebrating with all of our past winners. I equally congratulate the winners of these, the 2009/10 NSTF Awards. Prof. BD Wingfield Chairperson NSTF Awards NSTF Awards 2 2009/10 2009/10 3 Adjudication of the Awards This is the 12th anniversary of the Awards event, which continues to represent solid recognition across all sectors, levels, gender and race for researchers in and contributors to science, engineering, technology and innovation (SETI), as well as for the wealth of research done in South Africa within the communities of the SETI arena. An adjudication panel of independent judges, representing all sectors within the NSTF as well as the Award Partners, reviewed the nominations to establish the finalists and the winners. A panel of experts was appointed to assist the adjudication panel by reviewing and providing validation of the selections made. The adjudication panel comprised the following: Chair of the Panel Mr Denis Hunt (The South African Chamber of Commerce & Industry) Business Sector Ms Karen Nel (Design Biologix) Education Sector Prof. Chris Chimimba (University of Pretoria and 2007/8 NSTF Award Winner); alternately Prof. Pieter Marais (Tshwane University of Technology) State Corporations and Utilities Sector Dr David Browne (Telkom) Government Departments Mr Isaac Ramovha (Department of Science and Technology) Professional Bodies (Scientists) Prof. Extraordinaire John D Skinner (The Royal Society of South Africa) Professional Bodies (Engineers) Prof. Alex Visser (The South African Institution of Civil Engineering); alternately Prof. Elsabe Kearsley (The South African Institution of Civil Engineering) Civil Societies and Labour Sectors Mr Seliki Tlhabane (Programme for Technological Careers PROTEC) Science Councils and Statutory Bodies Dr Mbofho Stanley Liphadzi, Water Research Commission For the following categories: Eskom research capacity developers Mr John W Gosling (Eskom) Eskom research capacity developers Mr Yashin Brijmahan (Eskom) TW Kambule NRF black researchers Ms Rakeshnie Ramoutar (National Research Foundation (NRF))