utting-edge research and innovation have earned the university two wins at this year's NSTF-South32 Awards. Prof Linda Godfrey and Jonker Sailplanes (Pty) Ltd received these prestigious awards – also known as the Science Oscars – during a hybrid event and live broadcast from Johannesburg and Cape Town on 11 July.

Prof Godfrey, an extraordinary professor in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, won the award In the Green Economy category, sponsored by the Technology Innovation Agency. She is the manager of Circular Innovation South Africa and the principal scientist for circular economy at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

"I would like to acknowledge the other nominees and finalists in the category for the brilliant work that they are doing. Also, the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF), the CSIR and the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) for recognising the importance of investing in science, technology and innovation and the circular economy. I could not have done this without you."

She commended all the environmental scientists and engineers and technicians across South Africa working in the green environment space. "Keep at it, we need all of you committed to the environmental cause."

Jonker Sailplanes (Pty) Ltd, with Prof Attie Jonker of the School of Mechanical Engineering as a co-founder, shareholder and director, received the Innovation Award for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises.

Prof Jonker commended the extensive research collaboration taking place between industry and the university, and then quoted the words of a former student: "Perseverance is so important, but if you add passion to perseverance, success is inevitable."

Awards show inclusivity and diversity

Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, chairperson of the NSTF and deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation at the NWU, said the awards play an important role in addressing national imperatives such as inclusivity and diversity.

"The profiles of our nominees, finalists and winners attest to this. Perhaps most impressive is that the awards are not just recognition of talent but go a long way towards advocating for a thriving world-class science system and scholars, both in the public and the private sector."

He said the awards ceremony is also a platform to inspire the youth to become the next generation of leaders, professionals, innovators and scientists in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The NSTF-South 32 Awards are the largest, most comprehensive and among the most coveted national awards. They recognise outstanding contributions in science, engineering, technology and innovation by individuals, teams and organisations. The theme for this year's event was the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) in South Africa.

The NWU had a strong showing in the run-up to the awards, having received eight nominations and ending up with three finalists in the various categories. Prof Rose Hayeshi, director at the DSI/NWU Preclinical Drug Development Platform, was a finalist for the Management Award.

Click here for more information about the event.