The Who’s Who of Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation in South Africa 2011/12 NSTF-BHP Billiton Awards n o ti a v o n in ’s w rro mo .. to rch . Today’s resea National Science and Technology Forum in partnership with BHP Billiton Partners & Sponsors Co-Branding Sponsor Partners Platinum Sponsors Media Sponsors Gold Sponsor Community Support • Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Tables) • Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, University of Pretoria • Human Sciences Research Council • Joy Global Inc • South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions • South African Medical Research Council • University of Cape Town • University of Pretoria • University of Stellenbosch • University of the Free State • University of the Witwatersrand, Department of Research Development • University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Health Sciences Community Support • University of KwaZulu-Natal (Seats) • University of Limpopo Contents Focus on the National Science and Technology Forum ................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 Message from the NSTF Chairperson ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Message from the Co-branding Sponsor .............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 3 In memoriam: Professor John Skinner – Tribute ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Adjudication of the Awards ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 The Finalists: Individuals .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 The Finalists: Organisations ......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................15 The Brilliants Programme for Our Future Innovators ......................................................................................................................................................................................17 The Share ’n Dare Programme ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................19 Past Winners ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................20 Focus on the National Science and Technology Forum The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) is the stakeholder What can the NSTF do for your organisation? body for all science, engineering, technology and innovation (SETI) organisations in South Africa. It is incorporated under Section 21 of the • It is a vehicle for organisations to give expert input to government Companies Act and is registered as a non-profit organisation (NPO No. policy and a platform to express the views of management, members 92042) with the Department of Social Development. and employees regarding SETI policies • Members’ activities in SETI can become more widely known In existence since 1995, the NSTF: • Members can stay updated on developments in SETI policy • The NSTF-BHP Billiton Awards allow organisations to celebrate their • Plays a powerful consultative and lobbying role in policy matters achievements and attain public recognition within the context of a related to SETI wider SETI community • Organises related workshops, symposia and discussion forums to • Organisations can become involved in activities that motivate and facilitate consultation enrich the experience of mathematics and science learners • Organises the prestigious NSTF-BHP Billiton Awards (co-sponsored • The www.sciencebursaries.org.za web portal allows members to by BHP Billiton since 2011) register and upload bursaries free of charge, and gives them total • Runs projects in partnership with its members, including a bursary control to edit and update their bursary information on the site. programme, initiatives to assist young graduates, disseminating news and information, as well as making bursary and career information more accessible to young people and schools. 1 Message from the NSTF Chairperson It is wonderful to welcome you on this, the 14th occasion on which a precious and untapped resource often underestimated and always the NSTF proudly honours the “Who’s Who” of South Africa’s SETI in need of protection. Just in the last few weeks, I was provided with community and the second year that this is done in partnership a vivid example of the power of human diversity and the energy of with BHP Billiton. These awards are truly the “Oscars” of Science and the youth, when attending a few events linked to the meeting of the Technology in our country and I hope that you will enjoy celebrating Global Young Academy held in South Africa. This remarkable assembly the accomplishments of our friends and colleagues as much as I of some 120 young scientists, from more than 40 countries, provided always do. me with a firm reminder that it is young scientists from diverse backgrounds that hold the key to resolving the many challenges that There is much to be upbeat about regarding Science and Technology the world will face in the future. developments at the present time. Just a few weeks ago, we heard that we had been successful in our bid to host the Square Kilometre The NSTF-BHP Billiton Awards event is a significant highlight in the Array (SKA). It is exciting and significant that we share this amazing science calendar of South Africa. Along with our major co-sponsor BHP opportunity with Australia – truly a major milestone for South African Billiton and many other sponsors, we are happy to once again celebrate science and scientists, but also an opportunity to build closer ties with the achievements of the men and women that sustain Science, the scientists in Australia and elsewhere in the world. Our “pilot array” Engineering and Technology in the country. We celebrate not only the the MeerKAT has been an unprecedented success and is a testament top achievers in our science system but also the research teams and to the ingenuity of the South African scientists involved in successfully organisations that provide essential pillars of science and innovation establishing this telescope. The building of the SKA will surely put South in the country. Importantly, a number of our awards also highlight the Africa on the Astrophysical map and provide a huge boost to science achievements of our younger scientists and those involved in capacity and associated technologies in the country. We can be justifiably proud building. I congratulate the finalists and the winners of the 2011/12 to be associated with this incredible development. When we look back NSTF-BHP Billiton Awards. We rejoice with you and thank you for your in the decades to come, building the SKA will surely be seen to have superb contributions to Science and Technology in South Africa. stimulated not only development in the sciences directly related to astronomy and astrophysics, but to have positively influenced many We are again most grateful to those people who have taken the other areas of Science in ways that we cannot now begin to imagine. time to prepare nominations for the awards. We are also indebted to our adjudication panel, led by Denis Hunt, which has worked The geographic position of South Africa provides us with many tirelessly to select this year’s winners. As the competition for these unique scientific advantages and this is well illustrated by the SKA awards has increased annually, this has also meant that the task of example. In the global perspective, we are a small country with limited the adjudicators has become increasingly difficult. Their wisdom, financial resources for science, although with the SKA developments, insight and deliberations in making what are often difficult choices, is we will now be spending 1% of our GDP on research. This alone is an sincerely appreciated. important milestone and it meets a long-desired goal. In terms of geographic advantage, another opportunity for us lies in our amazing The success of the awards event is in no small way due to the superb biological diversity. This relates not only to the incredible flora, fauna services provided by our Executive Director, Ms Jansie Niehaus, and microbiota of South Africa but also to the diversity of cultures of Mrs Wilna Eksteen, the NSTF Secretariat, and the Awards Publicity the South African