uLwazi Node
If data is the lifeblood of scientific progress, then the South African Environmental Observation Network’s (SAEON) Open Data Platform (ODP) is the custodian of a scientific heartbeat. Managed by uLwazi Node within NRF-SAEON, the platform is changing how critical information about the planet is collected, stored, shared and leveraged.
“The ODP is a data infrastructure that facilitates the publication, discovery, dissemination and preservation of Earth observation and environmental data nationally,” explains Leo Chiloane, Manager of the NRF-SAEON uLwazi Node.
But, he says, the platform is more than just a repository. It is a bridge that connects researchers, policymakers and the public to vital Earth observation and environmental data to bring about positive social, economic and environmental change.
“The system supports national data mobilisation initiatives, including the South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas and the Marine Information Management System, co-developed with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment.”
Chiloane adds that it also helps foster global scientific collaboration. “Portions of its metadata are visible in global systems such as the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) and DataCite.”
Data sharing is important, but doing so ethically and responsibly is paramount. The platform balances open data principles with intellectual property rights and ethical handling of sensitive data. In September 2023, the ODP became the second repository on the African continent to earn Trustworthy Data Repository Certification from the CoreTrustSeal Standards and Certification Board, underscoring a commitment to data integrity.
“Sustainability was our biggest hurdle,” explains Data Collection Specialist Lindsay Callaghan. “We needed to develop a continuity plan to maintain data provision and avoid data loss should our infrastructure cease to exist in its current state.”
Their solution? Building robust partnerships and diversifying funding sources — a strategy that is characteristic of the collaborative spirit at the heart of their work.
Focused on the future, the team remains committed to expanding the ODP’s impact: “Interoperability between data management systems is constantly evolving, and we are excited about linking transdisciplinary data sources to enhance national and international collaborations.”
They hope the NSTF-South32 Data for Research Award will elevate awareness and attract critical collaborations. “Data management work can be quite siloed, particularly in South Africa, so these awards are a great way to connect with others,” Chiloane explains. “For us, success isn’t just about people using our data. It’s about fostering a community where researchers can share their derived data products back, creating a cycle of collaboration and innovation.”
Read the special Mail & Guardian supplement about all the NSTF-South32 Award winners.
Prof Irvy (Igle) Gledhill
Nobody should be denied the opportunity to work in science or be refused the extraordinary experience of scientific discovery. This is why Prof Irvy “Igle” Gledhill has made it her mission to create a united scientific community across the continent. “Because, through all the complications of world events, science is a thread that brings minds together,” she explains.
An Honorary Adjunct Professor of Flow Physics at the University of the Witwatersrand, Gledhill’s work in science diplomacy is passion-driven: “I seek universal participation in science and universal access to the benefits of science. There must be freedom of thought to innovate, guided by scientific responsibility. The need for a conducive and inclusive environment is fundamentally known to all scientists.”
Her pivotal moment came when she joined an international working group on women in physics in Seoul. “It was the first time I’d been to a physics conference where 90% of attendees were women,” she recalls. “Women in hijab attended with chaperones, and there were arrangements to look after babies.”
Listening to people telling their stories has led her from advocating for women in physics to championing universal participation in science across Africa — laying the groundwork for her broader African science initiatives.
In 2016 she helped spearhead a global project on the gender gap in science, ensuring that Africa was represented in the findings. “We also managed to address the impact of natural disasters, health and conflict on people; these challenges hit harder and do more permanent damage in developing countries than in high-income countries.”
Gledhill is Editor-in-Chief of the African Physics Newsletter (APN), which contributes to the visibility of physicists by publishing articles and stories and fostering science communication skills. “We’ve got many experts in quantum mechanics, nuclear medicine and high-energy particles across the continent, astronomers in Madagascar and Ouagadougou … Yet most of us don’t have the faintest idea of the work being done outside our own countries.”
As a board member of the Network of African Science Academies and Interim Vice-President of the Academy of Science of South Africa, she advocates for improved scientific infrastructure and funding across the continent. However, challenges remain, like the need for African countries to meet their commitment of allocating 1% of their GDP to science and technology budgets.
Gledhill envisions an Africa where scientific excellence drives economic stability and evidence-based policymaking. Winning the NSTF Science Diplomacy for Africa Award, sponsored by the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) initiative implemented by the CSIR on behalf of the Department of Science and Innovation, spotlights her critical work and paves the way for a future where African scientists unite in pursuit of shared progress and innovation.
Read the special Mail & Guardian supplement about all the NSTF-South32 Award winners.
Rialivhuwa would like to see school systems change and become more inclusive for everyone.
During Grade 11, I came across a web page that was about the use of programming languages in solving mathematical problems. It was then that I gained interest in computer science and how it is used every day in improving our lives. Nearly all our daily activities involve something that was designed by a computer scientist. The internet, government systems, companies and universities are amongst many who hugely depend on software to run effectively. I’ve also had a keen interest in working with electronics and being able to design and test the components before people use them. UCT gave me the opportunity to study both computer science and computer eengineering, which was a dream come true, to be studying at the best city in South Africa (SA) and the best university in all of Africa.
The potential that computers have in improving humanity is overwhelming. There have been recent introductions of artificial intelligence (AI) tools that make our daily lives so much easier. Being part of the process of making such tools is an interesting prospect. Having to apply my problem-solving skills in my daily life promises to be a fun and meaningful life.
I would like to see school systems change and become more inclusive for everyone. Schools nowadays are places for mind-gifted children to thrive, while some are left trailing in the dust. This causes unnecessary pressure to students, and they end up not learning that much, as they focus on competing with each other. I hope to serve as an advisor to South African schools and encourage them to stop ranking kids against each other as this creates a toxic learning environment.
I completed my schooling at Thengwe High School, located in a rural area called Mutale in the Limpopo province. It is a very good school compared to other schools in that area in terms of facilities and I am glad I had my Further Education and Training (FET) education there. What I like about this school is the efforts that the teachers put in. The teachers are always on time for their lessons and they take caution to not ignore learners who are struggling to grasp the concepts. The teachers sacrificed a lot of time they could have spent with their families by teaching us during weekends and even during holidays. My maths and science teachers, in particular, were like mentors to me. They always advised me on how I can do better and improve. The wisdom they shared with me is the main reason for my high school success.
Problem solving comes somewhat naturally to me. This is a skill that is very crucial to success in maths and science. With these subjects there are constantly new problems you can face during tests or exams. I always loved the challenge of working out something that we’ve never touched on in class. The questions you work through sometimes need creativity to solve. It’s such a satisfying feeling when you come up with a solution that’s not obvious but is simple and elegant.
The thing that leads to the downfall of many learners is cramming information without understanding the content. With maths and science, you can’t just memorise how to solve a certain problem, because there is a 99% chance it won’t appear in an exam again. But if you understand how the solution was formulated, you can work out other problems that are similar but are different in terms of scenario. You don’t really need advanced knowledge to tackle hard problems. However, if you have a solid understanding of the basics, it allows you to understand the problem and come up with an easy procedure to dismantle the problem and ultimately solve it. Another setback that many have is the fear of trying. When you have no clue on how to work out a problem, consult your teachers instead of giving up in fear of failure. It’s okay not to be perfect; not all of us can be Einsteins. Focus on being the best version of yourself and that will be your success.
If you are in Grade 11 or 12, this is the time for you to find out what interests you. Going to varsity or a college is not as simple as it seems. You really have to know what you are good at and very interested in because you are going to spend the rest of your life doing the same thing, rather let it be something you love. This is also a very critical time in your high school career. Do not lose focus or else you will waste the 12 years you have already spent in school.
Apply, apply and apply. Higher education institutions are very competitive as the number of matriculants is higher than the available space. Apply to as many universities as you can, as early as you can, to increase your chances of at least one institution accepting you. Funding is also a huge problem that students face. Apply to as many bursaries as you qualify for. Some open as early as the 1st quarter. Websites such as Student Room show bursaries as soon as they open. Use them and always be on the lookout for openings.
Hard work, dedication, discipline, focus and self-care are the most important factors that make an achiever. The one that’s most important in my opinion, however, is self-care. A healthy body and a healthy mind go hand in hand. There is a lot of studying that you may have to commit to, but prioritising exercise and sleep gives you a sharp edge and allows you to focus and learn better.
Education is a pillar for success. There is a very low chance you will live a meaningful life with minimal education. A trend nowadays is that you don’t need a degree to make money. Only a handful of people find that type of success without education, rather stay in school and persevere despite the pain. It will reap rewards later.
What I am today is because of the efforts you made with me and the advice you gave. The reprimands and love you showed me shaped me into the student I am today. I couldn’t have asked for better teachers and I know the coming generations are in safe hands.
Elon Musk. Elon is living proof that Africa produces excellent scholars. He is paving the way in electric mobility, and he has had a lot of success in a very short amount of time. He inspires me to work hard doing the things I love and always appreciate the people around me. He is not like any other billionaire, he is fun, social and always puts forward the needs of people. From him I have learnt that fantasies do come true.
Maite would love to see changes in the healthcare services provided to the people.
From a very young age I have always had a passion for helping people and promoting good health. When my uncle became a paramedic, I was always asking for his stethoscope to test my grandmother and my great grandmother’s heartbeats. I’m very passionate about helping people return to their natural state of health, which is why I chose to pursue a career in medicine.
I would say firstly I was inspired by my grandmother Lucy Mmatshabalala Matlwane Maanaso. My grandmother seemed to be able to come up with random remedies for certain illnesses. She was a natural doctor. I remember during COVID-19, she made some remedies saying they would keep our immune systems strong and for me that was amazing. Her remedies worked because we were never infected by the disease. Also, witnessing people with critical health conditions made me feel hopeless because I didn’t have the necessary skills to help. These health challenges motivated me to choose this course so that I can attain the skills required to assist those people.
I would love to see a change in the healthcare services provided to people. In most sections of South Africa (SA), particularly in rural areas, healthcare services are extremely poor. I believe that the change starts with me and my fellow peers. We need to advocate for better healthcare services for our people. As previously said that the health of a nation is its wealth. I am going to advocate for better healthcare services to everyone regardless of race, gender, nationality, socio-economic status, sexual orientation or any other factor that makes us diverse.
I matriculated from Mmalesiba Secondary School, located in a small village called Enable in Ga Sekororo in Limpopo. My school is not privileged at all and lacks many resources. There are not enough classrooms and it is in bad condition. The school does not have labs and computers, sometimes there is a shortage of books and stationery. But the teachers are amazing in the way that they make sure learners perform like learners in privileged schools. Very strict teachers, but at the end we realised that they just want what is best for us.
The principal is Mam Shayi. For mathematics: Mam Moagi and Mr Manyere; Sepedi: Mam Shokane, Mmalebati, Mawasha; Physics: Mam Maponya, Mr Nkhwashu; English: Mr Letswalo; Life Science: Mr Mthembi; History: Mr Mmola: Geography: Mr Sentsho; Accounting: Mr Seerane, Mam Shayi; Business: Mam Baloyi; Agriculture: Mr Mogoboya; Tourism: Mr Seerane; andEconomics: Mam Mshwana.
Maths and physical science are two really challenging subjects. The feeling of always having an obstacle to face can be draining but when you think of the joy that comes with winning the challenge, it makes you want to face each and every obstacle head on. I loved these two subjects because they would always keep my mind busy. Even when I’m sleeping, I keep thinking of that one problem I couldn’t solve and I’m searching for another way to solve it. I’m a person who enjoys listening to music so another reason for loving these subjects was that I could practise them while jamming to my favourite sounds all the way.
I think not doing well in these subjects may be due to lacking time and commitment to these subjects. Maths and science require you to take time and practice to master all the required skills. I used to struggle a lot in maths due to not practising and I never in my life imagined I will be so brilliant at it . In Grade 12 I started to perform above expectation in this subject. With science I never struggled much in the lower grades but in Grade 12 my marks dropped. For the finals, I guess I was better equipped with ‘firearms’ and ‘fired’ well in the finals. Those who struggle need to learn to love these subjects. When you love them, you will be eager to practice and thus you become better and better.
For grade 12, it doesn’t matter how you got into that grade but what matters is the results you will produce. Don’t procrastinate, start studying now as it would make things much better for you in the final year exams. You need that year mark from your yearly assessments. For those in Grade 11, you must know that this grade builds a foundation for a lot of work to be donein Grade 12. You better start being serious because you are going to need your final grade 11 marks for applications to universities.
Apply on time. Applications will soon be closing so make sure that as soon as they open you apply and also apply for funding. Applications can be draining sometimes so get someone to help you so that you are not academically disturbed.
Hard work, persistence, perseverance and the love for education makes me an achiever.
Even in the crisis of unemployment let’s not use that as an excuse not to learn. We are the future leaders so let’s prepare for tomorrow by making sure we are academically strengthened. Don’t let your circumstances define you.
To my teachers in pre school, primary, high school and all my teachers in my village:.Continue to build the future at my schools. There is no profession that is as important as yours because you build the future by providing the relevant information to us. I love you all and thank you for the support you provided me.
I would choose Nelson Mandela. I would thank him for leaving a mark showing how important education is in a person’s life. He influenced my ideas about the importance of education.
