• Prof Catherine Albertyn – DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Equality, Law and Social Justice; Professor: School of Law, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
• Prof Carl Anhaeusser – Professor Emeritus: Economic Geology Research Institute, School of Geosciences, Wits
• Prof Jacek Banasiak – DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Mathematical Models and Methods in Biosciences and Bioengineering, University of Pretoria (UP)
• Prof Maxim Finkelstein – Distinguished Professor: Department (Dept) of Mathematical Statistics and Actuarial Science, University of the Free State (UFS); Visiting Professor: Dept of Management Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom (UK)
• Prof André Ganswindt – Professor and Director: Mammal Research Institute (MRI), Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, UP
• Prof Igor Alexandrowich Gorlach – Lecturer: Benoni Technical College; Lecturer: Wits Technikon; Professor: Nelson Mandela University (NMU); Distinguished Professor: University of South Africa (UNISA)
• Dr Tertia Grové – Senior (Snr) Researcher: Crop Protection Division, Tropical and Subtropical Crops, Agricultural Research Council (ARC); also in the NSTF-ARC category*
• Prof Isabel Hofmeyr – Professor Emeritus: Faculty of Humanities, School of Literature, Language and Media, Dept of African Literature, Wits; Lorand Chair: Vrije Universiteit, Brussels, Belgium
• Prof Rachel Jewkes – Executive Scientist: South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC); Honorary Professor: School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits
• Prof Kathleen Kahn – Professor: Public Health, Wits; Principal Scientist: SAMRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt); Head: Interdisciplinary PhD Programme in Public and Population Health, School of Public Health, Wits; also in the special annual theme category*
• Prof Sebastiana Kalula – Emeritus Associate Professor: Dept of Medicine/Geriatric Medicine, University of Cape Town (UCT); Director: The Albertina and Walter Sisulu Institute of Ageing in Africa; also in the special annual theme category*
• Prof Bavesh Kana – Full Professor; Head: School of Pathology; Director: Research Unit; Research Associate: Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute; Research Associate: Centre for AIDS Programme of Research in SA, Wits
• Prof David John Noel Limebeer – Distinguished Professor: Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, School of Electrical and Information Engineering, Wits; Emeritus Professor: University of Oxford, UK
• Ms Snowy Makhudu – Managing Director: Tholoana Environmental Consulting; Board Member: Environmental Assessment Practitioners Association of SA (EAPASA); Board Member: Council for the Built Environment (CBE); Board Member: International Association for Public Participation Southern Africa (IAP2 SA)
• Prof Maake J Masango – Professor Emeritus; Appointment Committee, Faculty of Theology and Religion, Dept of Practical Theology and Mission Studies, UP
• Prof Thaddeus Metz – Research Professor, Faculty of Humanities, Dept of Philosophy, UP
• Prof Brenda Morrow – Professor: Dept of Paediatrics and Child Health, UCT
• Prof Anthony Okoh – Professor: Dept of Biochemistry and Microbiology; Research Niche Area Leader: Water Resources, Sustainable Development Research Niche Area; Director: SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Centre, University of Fort Hare (UFH); DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Water Quality and Environmental Genomics
• Prof Adebola Omowunmi Oyedeji – Professor: Organic Chemistry; Research Niche Leader: African Medicinal Fauna and Flora; Project Manager: DSTI-WSU Indigenous Knowledge System Documentation Centre (IKSDC), Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
• Prof Dorrit Posel – Distinguished Professor; Helen Suzman Chair: Political Economy, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Economics and Finance, Wits
• Prof Karen Renaud – Professor Extraordinaire: College of Science, Engineering and Technology, School of Computing, UNISA; Visiting Professor, Rhodes University (RU); Visiting Professor: Abertay University, UK; Research Fellow, University of Glasgow, Scotland; Reader: University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland
• Prof Mary Catherine Scholes – Full Professor and Chair: Sappi Research, Climate Change and Plantation Sustainability, Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences (APES), Wits
• Mr Sivuyile Sviggy Sesi – Online Tutor: Excel at Uni (Pty) Ltd; Online Ambassador: University of the People (UoPeople); also in the TW Kambule-NSTF researcher, data for research, Innovation – SMME, communication and special annual theme categories*
• Ms Sharanjeet Shan – Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Maths Centre Incorporating Sciences (MCIS); also in the management and non-governmental organisation (NGO) categories*

• Dr Sandra Snyman – Principal Scientist: South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI); Variety Improvement Programme Manager: SASRI; Honorary Research Fellow: University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN); Vice-President: South African Sugar Technologists’ Association (SASTA)
• Prof Lukas Willem Snyman – Retired Professor: Electrical Engineering; Director: Solar Thermal CC SA
• Prof Elizabeth Catherina (Rina) Swart – Head: Dept of Dietetics and Nutrition, University of the Western Cape (UWC); Nutrition Programme Lead: DSTI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Food Security (CoE-FS)
• Prof Stephen Tollman – Director: SAMRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Unit; Head: Health and Population Division, School of Public Health, Wits; Director: Agincourt Node, South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN); also in the special annual theme category*
• Prof Alvaro Montgomery Viljoen – DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Phytomedicine; Director: Herbal Drugs Research Unit, SAMRC
• Prof Zenghui Wang – Professor: College of Science, Engineering and Technology, School of Engineering, Dept of Electrical Engineering, UNISA
• Prof Brenda Wingfield – DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Fungal Genomics; Professor: Dept of Biochemistry, Genetics and Microbiology, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), UP
• Prof Angela Jill Woodiwiss – Full Personal Professor and Director: Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Genomics Research Unit, Dept of Physiology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits; Fellow: Royal Society of SA (RSSAf), African Academy of Sciences (AAS), Academy of Science of SA (ASSAf) and Physiological Society of Southern Africa (PSSA); Country Leader: May Measure Month (MMM); Council Member: World Hypertension League (WHL); Member: Board of Southern African Hypertension Society (SAHS)

Prize sponsor: proSET (Professionals in SET), a sector of the NSTF representing over 50 professional bodies and learned societies

• Prof Clinton Aigbavboa – DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder (Interim): Sustainable Construction Management and Leadership in the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg (UJ); Director: Construction Industry Development Board (cidb) Centre of Excellence (CoE); Research Chair: Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, UJ
• Prof Joseph Olorunfemi Akande – Professor: Department of Accounting Science, Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences, Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
• Associate Prof Yumna Albertus – Director: Health through Physical Activity, Lifestyle and Sports Research Centre (HPALS), University of Cape Town (UCT); Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Acinotech (Pty) Ltd
• Prof Mohammad Arashi – Extraordinary Professor: Department (Dept) of Statistics, University of Pretoria (UP); Professor: Statistics, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
• Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola – Professor: Food Security and Safety Focus Area; Principal Investigator: Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University (NWU); Vice President: The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Africa; Honorary Member: International Science Council (France); and also in the lifetime and science diplomacy categories*
• Prof Dave Berger – Professor; Head: Dept of Plant and Soil Sciences, Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI), UP
• Dr Mawethu Bilibana – Senior (Snr) Lecturer: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, NWU
• Prof Ziyaad Dangor – Full Professor: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Clinical Medicine, Dept of Paediatrics and Child Health, Division of Pulmonology, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits); Research Director: Wits Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Research Unit; Site Co-Director: Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS)
• Prof Angela Dramowski – Professor and Head: Clinical Unit, General Paediatrics, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University (SU) and Tygerberg Hospital
• Prof Lisa Claire du Toit – Full Professor: Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Wits
• Prof Mohammad Naushad Emmambux – Professor: Food Science, UP
• Prof Inger Fabris-Rotelli – Full Professor: Statistics Dept, UP
• Prof Patricia Forbes – Full Professor, UP; Editor in Chief: American Chemical Society (ACS) Earth and Space Chemistry; also in the NSTF-Water Research Commission (WRC) category*
• Prof Fortune Ganda – Full Professor: Accounting; Head of Dept: Management Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences, Walter Sisulu University (WSU); also in the NSTF-Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Green Economy category*
• Prof Rebecca M Garland – Professor: Dept of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, UP; also in the NSTF-TIA Green Economy category*
• Prof Blassan George – Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Laser Research Centre, UJ
• Prof Poomani Penny Govender – Professor; Dept of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science; Director: Research Capacity Development Unit, Postgraduate School, UJ; also in the management and engineering research capacity development categories*
• Prof Busisiwe Gunya – Associate Professor, Dept of Agricultural Economics and Animal Production, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Limpopo (UL)
• Prof Rangan Gupta – Full Professor, Dept of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management Sciences (EMS), UP
• Prof Almuth Hammerbacher – Full Professor: Dept of Zoology and Entomology, UP
• Dr Sharief Hendricks – Snr Lecturer: Dept of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town (UCT); Visiting Professor: Leeds Beckett University, United Kingdom (UK); Board Member: South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS)
• Dr Romina Henriques – Snr Lecturer: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, UP
• Prof Alan Horn – Professor: Division of Neonatology, Dept of Paediatrics, Groote Schuur Hospital and UCT; Chair: Sub-specialist Training Committee, UCT
• Prof Tien Chien Jen – Professor; DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Green Hydrogen; Head: Dept of Mechanical Engineering Science, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment; Director: Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) Research Centre; UJ; also in the engineering research capacity development category*
• Prof Andile Khathi – Associate Professor; Academic Leader: Human Body Form and Function; Head: Dept of Human Physiology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, UKZN
• Prof Lindiwe Khotseng – Full Professor: Analytical Chemistry, Dept of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of the Western Cape (UWC); also in the NSTF-TIA Green Economy category*
• Prof Tjaart Krüger – Full Professor, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Dept of Physics, UP
• Prof Ntakadzeni Edwin Madala – Associate Professor: Biochemistry, University of Venda (UNIVEN)
• Prof Musa Siphiwe Doctor Manzi – Associate Professor: Wits; Director: Seismic Research Centre, Wits
• Prof Farai Julis Mhlanga – Professor: Applied Mathematics; Head: Dept of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, UL
• Prof Peace Mkhonto – Associate Professor, Snr Researcher and Research Assistant: Faculty of Science and Agriculture, School of Physical and Mineral Sciences, UL
• Prof Kwena Desmond Modibane – Full Professor, DSTI-NRF SARChI Chair: Faculty of Science and Agriculture, Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Mineral Sciences, UL
• Prof Rhiyaad Mohamed – Associate Professor: Catalysis Institute, Dept of Chemical Engineering, UCT
• Prof Elena Moore – Professor: Sociology; Principal Investigator: Family Caregiving of Older Persons Programme, UCT; also in the special annual theme category*
• Prof Ashwell Rungano Ndhlala – Associate Professor: Faculty of Science and Agriculture, School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UL; also in the science diplomacy and NSTF-Agricultural Research Council (ARC) categories*
• Dr Gebhu Ndlovu – Section Head: Metal Recovery and Remediation, Mintek; also in the management category*
• Prof Nomthandazo Ntlama-Makhanya – Professor: Public Law, University of Fort Hare (UFH)
• Prof Glen Nwaila – Associate Professor: Geometallurgy and Machine Learning, School of Geosciences, Wits; Deputy Head: School of Geosciences, Wits; Director: African Research Centre for Ore Systems Science (CORES), Wits; Visiting Professor: Economic Geology, Uppsala University, Sweden
• Prof Edward Nxumalo – Professor: College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS), University of South Africa (UNISA)
• Ms Hlengiwe Nzima – Laboratory Manager: Petroleum Science, Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd
• Prof Samuel Oluwatobi Oluwafemi – Professor: Faculty of Science, Dept of Chemical Sciences, UJ; also in the engineering research capacity development category*
• Prof Jonathan Peter – Professor: National Institute Health Research (NIHR) Global Professorships; Head: Division of Allergology and Clinical Immunology, Dept of Medicine; Head: Allergy and Immunology Unit, Lung Institute, UCT
• Prof Nicola Ann Plastow – Associate Professor: Division of Occupational Therapy; Programme Coordinator: B Occupational Therapy, Stellenbosch University (SU); also in the special annual theme category*
• Dr Quinn Reynolds – Technical Specialist: Pyrometallurgy Division, Mintek
• Dr Simone Richardson – Snr Scientist: National Institute for Communicable Disease; Researcher: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Pathology, Wits
• Prof Nombulelo Veronica Sepeng – Full Professor; Former Acting Head: Dept of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, UP; also in the special annual theme category*
• Mr Sivuyile Sviggy Sesi – Online Tutor: Excel at Uni (Pty) Ltd; Online Ambassador: University of the People (UoPeople); also in the lifetime, data for research, Innovation – SMME, communication and special annual theme categories*
• Prof Constance Rufaro Sewani-Rusike – Professor and Head: School of Biomedical Sciences; DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Rural Health Systems Research, WSU
• Prof Gulshan Sharma – Associate Professor: Dept of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology, UJ; also in the engineering research capacity development category*
• Prof Munacinga Simatele – Professor: Economics; Research Niche Leader: Research in Inclusion and Township Economies, University of Fort Hare (UFH)
• Dr Karishma Singh – Snr Lecturer: Faculty of Applied and Health Sciences, Dept of Nature Conservation, Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)
• Prof Sudesh Sivarasu – DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Biomedical Engineering and Innovation; Director: Biomedical Engineering Research Centre, UCT; Head: MedTech, UCT; also in the management and engineering research capacity development categories*
• Dr Robert Skelton – Associate Professor: Plant Ecophysiology, Wits
• Dr Zikhona Tywabi-Ngeva – Lecturer and Researcher: Faculty of Science, School of Physical Sciences Cluster, Dept of Chemistry, NMU
• Prof Thokozani Xaba – Acting Head of Dept: Natural Science; Associate Professor: Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
• Prof Lijun Zhang – Full Professor: Dept of Electrical and Electronic Engineering; Research Chair: Robotics in Mining, SU

Prize sponsor: South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS)

• Dr Prashant Kishor Bhagwat – Harnessing Talent (HANT) Postdoctoral Fellow; Grow-Your-Own-Timber (GOOT) Postdoctoral Fellow; Research Associate: Postdoctoral Fellow, Department (Dept) of Biotechnology and Food Science, Durban University of Technology (DUT)
• Prof Christian Budde – Associate Professor; Department (Dept) of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics; University of the Free State (UFS); President: South African Mathematical Society (SAMS)
• Mr Riyadh Suliman Casoojee – Environmental Officer: Environmental Impact Management, Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism
• Prof Anine Crous – Associate Professor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Laser Research Centre, University of Johannesburg (UJ)
• Dr Karina De Sousa – Lecturer: Dept of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Pretoria (UP)
• Dr Ramogohlo Diale-Boshielo – Scientist, Mintek
• Prof Laura Heathfield –  Associate Professor; Head: Biomedical Forensic Science Unit, University of Cape Town (UCT); Head: Molecular Forensics Laboratory, Observatory Forensic Pathology Institute (OFPI). 
• Dr Gabriella Yael Hyman – South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)-Institutional Clinican Researcher Programme (ICRP) PhD Student: Dept of Surgery, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits); Research Fellow (Chief Fellow): Paul Farmer Global Surgery (Programme: Global Surgery and Social Change), Harvard Medical School, United States of America (USA); Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Dept of Plastic Surgery, Boston Children’s Hospital, USA
• Dr Idowu David Ibrahim – Senior (Snr) Lecturer; Research Group Leader: Material Life Cycle, Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
• Dr Steven James – Snr Lecturer: Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Wits
• Dr Devon Jarvis – Lecturer: Faculty of Science, School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Wits
• Dr Mahlatse Kganyago – Snr Lecturer: Faculty of Science, Dept of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, UJ; also in the NSTF-Water Research Commission (WRC) and the NSTF-Agricultural Research Council (ARC) categories*
• Prof Kgaugelo Lekota – Associate Professor: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, North-West University (NWU); also in the engineering research capacity development category*
• Dr Potlako John Mafa – Snr Postdoctoral Fellow: College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS), University of South Africa (UNISA)
• Dr Tsireledzo Goodwill Makwarela – Lecturer and Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Dept of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT); Previous Part-Time Lecturer and Postgraduate Assistant, Dept of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA); also in the NSTF-Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Green Economy and the NSTF-ARC categories*
• Prof Samkelo Malgas – Department of Biochemistry,Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, UP
• Mr Sizwe Jacson Clement Masuku – Lecturer: Physics, Dept of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
• Prof Topside Mathonsi – Associate Professor and Head of Dept: Information Technology, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT); also in the management category*
• Dr Mashilo Mash Matotoka – Snr researcher: Faculty of Science and Agriculture, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Dept of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Limpopo (UL)
• Dr Gugulethu Miya – Laboratory Technician: Faculty of Natural Sciences, Dept of Biological and Environmental Sciences, WSU
• Prof Farzahna Mohamed – Clinical Head: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Internal Medicine, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH); Adjunct Professor: Dept of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Wits
• Dr Moleboheng Mokhele – Snr Lecturer: Faculty of Education, School of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, Self-Directed Learning Research Unit, NWU
• Prof Katleho Moloi – Research Professor and Leader: Machine Learning Theme, UNISA; also in the engineering research capacity development category*
• Dr Vusi Vincent Mshayisa – Snr Lecturer and Curriculum Officer: Dept of Food Science and Technology; Leader: Edible Insects Research Group (EIRG), Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT); Council Member: South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP)
• Prof Phumlani Fortune Msomi – Associate Professor: College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Institute for Catalysis and Energy Solutions (ICES), UNISA; also in the NSTF-Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Green Economy category*
• Dr Khuthadzo Mudzanani – Research and Development Engineer: Mintek
• Dr Isaac Nape – Snr Lecturer: Faculty of Science, School of Physics, Wits-IBM Liaison (Research Office)
• Dr Lebea Nathnael Nthunya – Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Environmental Analytical Chemistry and Membrane Processes, UNISA
• Dr Claudia Ntsapi-Combrink – Snr Lecturer: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of the Free State (UFS); also in the special annual theme category*
• Dr Nangamso Nathaniel Nyangiwe – Lecturer: Faculty of Science, Dept of Physics, TUT
• Dr Edith Phalane – Snr Researcher and Pan African Centre for Epidemics Research (PACER) Manager: Faculty of Health Sciences, UJ
• Dr Mapula Razwinani – Researcher: Female Academic Leadership Fellowship (FALF); FirstRand Empowerment Foundation (FREF) Mandela Research Chair: Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion, NMU
• Dr Kganetso Sekome – Snr Lecturer: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Dept of Physiotherapy, Wits
• Dr Mathulo Shauli – Snr Lecturer: Dept of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, WSU
• Professor Cletah Shoko – Associate Professor: Geospatial Sciences, Faculty of Science, School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, Wits
• Ms Nikita Singh – PhD Candidate, Dept of Chemical Engineering, DUT
• Prof Thandiwe Sithole – Vice Dean: Global Engagement, Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE), UJ; Associate Professor: Circular Economy, Dept of Chemical Engineering, UJ; Chair: Global Engagement Committee, FEBE, UJ; Associate Editor: Journal of Smart and Green Materials; Early Career Editorial Board Member: Chemical Engineering Journal (CEJ); Review Editor: Frontiers in Environmental Chemistry (Chemical Treatments); Member: Project Reference Group, Water Research Commission (WRC); Member: SAYAS
• Dr Bonginkosi Thango – Snr Lecturer: Dept of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology, UJ; MBA Capstone Project Supervisor, Johannesburg Business School (JBS), UJ
• Dr Tholani Tshuma – Snr Lecturer: Dept of Mathematical Sciences and Computing, WSU
• Dr David Twesigomwe – Sydney Brenner Charitable Trust Postdoctoral Fellow, Wits; Assistant Professor: Bioinformatics, Medical Research Council (MRC)/Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) Uganda Research Unit, Uganda
• Dr Sibusiso Xego – nGap Lecturer: Ethics Committee Member; FYE Coordinator; CPUT Convocation Executive (Academic Staff Member); SOMPED LOC Member, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Dept of Horticultural Sciences, CPUT
• Dr Tunde Lewis Yusuf – Lecturer: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Dept of Chemistry, UP

• Mr Bathandwa Cobo – Senior (Snr) Manager: Research, Testing and Development, Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd
• Prof Poomani Penny Govender – Professor; Dept of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science; Director: Research Capacity Development Unit, Postgraduate School, University of Johannesburg (UJ); also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher and engineering research capacity development categories*
• Prof Topside Mathonsi – Associate Professor and Head of Department (Dept): Information Technology, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT); also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF emerging researcher category*
• Prof Marcia Mkansi – Professor: Dept of Operations Management: College Head: Research and Innovation, University of South Africa (UNISA); also in the research software and the Innovation – Corporate Organisation categories*
• Dr Gebhu Ndlovu – Section Head: Metal Recovery and Remediation, Mintek; also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher category*
• Ms Takalani Netshipale – Civil Engineer; Health Infrastructure Approval Committee (HIAC) Member, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Health; Engineering Council of SA (ECSA) Ambassador; Chairperson: South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) Ethics; Deputy Chairperson: SAICE Diversity and Inclusivity; Panel member: SAICE Future Leaders Panel; Committee Member: Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO); also in the communications category*
• Ms Sharanjeet Shan – Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Maths Centre Incorporating Sciences (MCIS); also in the lifetime and non-governmental organisation (NGO) categories*
• Prof Sudesh Sivarasu – DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Biomedical Engineering and Innovation; Director: Biomedical Engineering Research Centre; Head: MedTech, University of Cape Town (UCT); also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher and engineering research capacity development categories*
• Dr Nthabiseng Taole-Mjimba – Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Partnerships and Innovation, University of Fort Hare (UFH)

• Prof Moses Basitere –Associate Professor; Research Lead: Water Research Group, University of Cape Town (UCT); Former Principal Investigator: Bioresource Engineering Research Group, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT); Former Co-Chair: South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS); NRF–FREF South African Research Chairs Initiative Chair Holder, Nelson Mandela University (NMU); also in the NSTF-Water Research Commission (WRC) category*
• Prof Michael Oluwatosin Bodunrin – Associate Professor: School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering; Head and Co-Director: Next Frontiers in Advanced Materials Laboratory Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
• Prof Hendrik Brink – Professor: Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT, School of Engineering, Dept of Chemical Engineering, University of Pretoria (UP); also in the NSTF-Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Green Economy category*
• eThekwini Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) – Mr Kiyash Sha, Project Lead, eThekwini Municipality
• eNtsa–uYilo eMobility Programme, Nelson Mandela University (NMU) – Mr Julien de Klerk, Engineering Engagement Director, NMU
• Prof Poomani Penny Govender – Professor: Department (Dept) of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science; Director: Research Capacity Development Unit, Postgraduate School, University of Johannesburg (UJ); also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher and management categories*
• Green5G– Prof Albert Lysko, Principal Researcher: Spectrum Access and Management Innovation, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR); Adjunct Professor: Dept of Electrical Engineering, UCT; Chair: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Region 8 (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA)) Steering Committee for the IEEE Africon Conference 2027 
• Prof Tien Chien Jen – Professor; DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Green Hydrogen; Head of Dept; Director: Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) Research Centre; UJ; also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher category*
• Prof Kgaugelo Lekota – Associate Professor: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, North-West University (NWU); also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF emerging researcher category*
• Prof Katleho Moloi – Research Professor and Leader: Machine Learning Theme, UNISA; also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF emerging researcher category*
• Prof Samuel Oluwatobi Oluwafemi – Professor: Dept of Applied Chemistry, UJ; also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher category*
• Prof Gulshan Sharma – Associate Professor: Dept of Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technology, UJ; also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher category*
• Prof Sudesh Sivarasu – DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Biomedical Engineering and Innovation; Director: Biomedical Engineering Research Centre, UCT; Head: MedTech, UCT; also in the management and TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher categories*

Sponsored by the WRC since 2017

• Prof Abayneh Ataro Ambushe – Leader and Head: Environmental Analytical Chemistry Research Group, Analytical Chemistry Division, Department (Dept) of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg (UJ)
• Prof Moses Basitere – Associate Professor; Research Lead: Water Research Group, University of Cape Town (UCT); Former Principal Investigator: Bioresource Engineering Research Group, Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT); Former Co-Chair: South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS); NRF–FREF South African Research Chairs Initiative Chair Holder, Nelson Mandela University (NMU); also in the engineering research capacity development category*
• Dr Simone Dahms-Verster – Senior (Snr) Lecturer: Environmental Studies, School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
• Prof Patricia Forbes – Full Professor: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Dept of Chemistry, University of Pretoria (UP); Editor in Chief: American Chemical Society (ACS) Earth and Space Chemistry; also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher category*
• Dr Mahlatse Kganyago –Snr Lecturer, UJ; also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF emerging researcher and the NSTF-Agricultural Research Council (ARC) categories*
• Prof Ajay Kumar Mishra – Professor; Director: Sustainable Materials Laboratory, University of the Western Cape (UWC); Director: Academy of Nanotechnology and Wastewater Innovations; Visiting Professor: Robert Gordon University, United Kingdom (UK); Visiting Professor: Bashkir State University, Russia; Adjunct Professor: Jiangsu University, China
• Dr Sean Perry – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) / Founder: AMD Solutions; also in the Innovation – SMME category*
• Process Energy Environment Technology Station (UJ PEETS), UJ – Dr Kousar Banu Hoorzook, Programme Manager
• Tecroveer (Pty) Ltd, Engineering Team – Mr Graeme Taylor, Head of Engineering, Mechanical Engineer; also in the NSTF-Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Green Economy; research software; and Innovation – SMME categories*
• Water Institute, Stellenbosch University (SU) – Mr Manuel Nicholas Jackson, Manager, SU

Sponsored by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) since 2023

• Dr Zukiswa Jafta – Specialist Radiation Oncologist and Head: Department (Dept) of Radiation Oncology, Frere Hospital, East London; Academic Head: Radiation Oncology, Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
• Prof Llewellyn Padayachy – Professor and Head: Dept of Neurosurgery; Director: Brain Tumour and Translational Neuroscience Centre, University of Pretoria (UP) (BTC@UP); also in the special annual theme category*
• Dr Arifa Parker – Head: Unit for Infection Prevention and Control, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University (SU) and Tygerberg Hospital; Infectious Diseases Specialist and Healthcare Epidemiologist
• Prof Marco Zampoli – Associate Professor: Paediatrics, University of Cape Town (UCT); Senior Specialist, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital

Sponsored by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) since 2023

• Ms Leena Ackbar – Professional Registered Environmental Assessment Practitioner, ECA Consulting
• Prof Hendrik Brink – Professor: Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT, School of Engineering, Dept of Chemical Engineering, University of Pretoria (UP); also in the engineering research capacity development category*
• Prof Fortune Ganda – Full Professor: Accounting; Head of Department (Dept): Management Accounting and Finance, Faculty of Economic and Financial Sciences, Walter Sisulu University (WSU); also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher category*
• Prof Rebecca M Garland – Professor: Dept of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology, University of Pretoria (UP); also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher category *
• Prof Lindiwe Khotseng – Full Professor: Analytical Chemistry, University of the Western Cape (UWC); also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher category*
• Dr Tsireledzo Goodwill Makwarela – Lecturer and Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Dept of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT); Previous Part-Time Lecturer and Postgraduate Assistant, Dept of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA); also in the NSTF-Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Green Economy and the NSTF-ARC categories*
• Prof Phumlani Fortune Msomi – Associate Professor, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, Institute for Catalysis and Energy Solutions (ICES), University of South Africa (UNISA); also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF emerging researcher category*
• Ms Mbalenhle Mtshali – Company Director, Indaloenhle Environmental Consultants
• Reel Life NPC (Reel Life Food Security Programme) – Ms Claire Blanckenberg, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Reel Life NPC; also in the NSTF-Agricultural Research Council (ARC) category*
• Prof Pieter Swanepoel – Associate Professor: Agronomy; Departmental Chairperson: Agronomy, Stellenbosch University (SU)
• Tecroveer (Pty) Ltd Engineering Team – Mr Graeme Taylor, Head of Engineering, Mechanical Engineer; also in the NSTF-Water Research Council (WRC), research software, and Innovation – SMME categories*
• Prof David Tinarwo – Associate Professor, University of Venda (UNIVEN)

Sponsored by the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) since 2024

• Prof Olubukola Oluranti Babalola – Professor: Food Security and Safety Focus Area; Principal Investigator: Microbial Biotechnology Laboratory. Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science, North-West University (NWU); Vice President: The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), Africa; Honorary Member: International Science Council (France); and also in the Lifetime and TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher categories*
• Dr Samia Chasi – Head: Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships Office, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
• Eskom Research, Testing and Development Leadership Team – Ms Prudence Madiba, General Manager: Eskom Research, Testing and Development, Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd
• Ms Jacquelene Friedenthal – Science and Technology Counsellor: Embassy of Switzerland to South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, and Namibia
• International Longevity Centre, South Africa (ILCSA) – Prof Jaco Hoffman (DPhil, University of Oxford), Co-director: ILCSA; Professor: Socio-Gerontology, Optentia Research Unit, NWU; Lead: Ageing and Generational Dynamics in Africa (AGenDA) programme, (Optentia/NWU); Professorial Fellow: Institute of Population Ageing, University of Oxford; Coordinator: African Research on Ageing Network (AFRAN) ; also in the special annual theme category*
• Dr Ian Jones – Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO): InnoGlobal Pvt Ltd; President Emeritus, Innopharma; also in the Innovation – SMME category*
• Dr Selma T Karuaihe – Senior (Snr) Lecturer, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Department (Dept) of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development, University of Pretoria (UP)
• Prof Anish Kurien – Professor: Electrical Engineering; Director: French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI); Acting Director: Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub; Transport Education Training Authority (TETA) Chair: Agile and Intelligent Transport Systems, TUT; also in the Innovation – Corporate Organisation category*
• Prof Malik Maaza – Full Professor and Senior Scientist, University of South Africa (UNISA); UNESCO Africa Chair; Extraordinary Professor, University of the Western Cape (UWC)
• Prof Wanda Markotter – Interim Director: Future Africa Platform; Director: Centre for Viral Zoonoses, Faculty of Health Sciences, UP
• Dr Mutshidzi Mulondo – Snr Lecturer and Master of Public Health (MPH) Programme Coordinator: Faculty of Health Sciences, Public Health, University of the Free State (UFS)
• Prof Ashwell Rungano Ndhlala – Associate Professor: Dept of Soil Science, Plant Production and Remote Sensing, University of Limpopo (UL); also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher and NSTF-Agricultural Research Commission (ARC) categories*
• Dr Tozama Qwebani-Ogunleye – Programme Officer: Africa and Overseas Partnerships, The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
• Prof Helen Rees – Executive Director, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (RHI); Co-Director: African Local Initiative for Vaccinology Expertise, Wits
• Prof Aldo Stroebel – Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, University of Mpumalanga (UMP)
• Prof Jan Willem Swanepoel – Associate Professor: Dept of Sustainable Food Systems and Development; Director: Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Development and Extension, UFS; Project Coordinator: TAGDev 2.0 (Mastercard Foundation/RUFORUM); Chief Editor: South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE)
• Tangible, NMU – Prof Jean Greyling, Associate Professor and Head: Dept of Computing Sciences, Nelson Mandela University (NMU)

Sponsored by the ARC since 2025

• Agrishelves Marketplace – Mr Lindelani Xhanti, Chief Innovation Manager; also in the Innovation – SMME category*
• Department of Animal Science, University of Pretoria (UP) – Prof Carina Visser, Head of Department (Dept) and Associate Professor
• Prof Abe Shegro Gerrano – Senior (Snr) Researcher: Vegetable, Industrial and Medicinal Plants, Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
• Dr Tertia Grové – Snr Researcher: Crop Protection Division, Tropical and Subtropical Crops, ARC; also in the lifetime category*
• Prof Ishmael Festus Jaja – Associate Professor and Head: Dept of Animal and Pasture Sciences, University of Fort Hare (UFH); Academic Deputy Director, French South-African Institute of Agriculture
• Prof Marshall Keyster – Full Professor; DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Plant Improvement for Regenerative and Sustainable Agriculture (PIRSA): Dept of Biotechnology, University of the Western Cape (UWC)
• Dr Mahlatse Kganyago – Snr Lecturer: Faculty of Science, Dept of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg (UJ); also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF emerging researcher and the NSTF-Water Research Commission (WRC) categories*
• Dr Tsireledzo Goodwill Makwarela – Lecturer and Postdoctoral Research Fellow: Dept of Nature Conservation, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT); Previous Part-Time Lecturer and Postgraduate Assistant, Dept of Life and Consumer Sciences, University of South Africa (UNISA); also in the NSTF-Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Green Economy and the NSTF-ARC categories*
• Prof Ashwell Rungano Ndhlala – Associate Professor: Dept of Soil Science, Plant Production and Remote Sensing, University of Limpopo (UL); also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher and the science diplomacy categories*
• Dr Yanga Nontu – Lecturer and Researcher: Dept of Agriculture, University of Zululand (UNIZULU)
• Dr Shonisani Eugenia Ramashia – Snr Lecturer and Head: Dept of Food Science and Technology, UNIVEN
• Reel Life NPC (Reel Life Food Security Programme) – Ms Claire Blanckenberg, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO): Reel Life NPC; also in the NSTF-Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Green Economy category*

• Prof JA Johan van Niekerk – Professor; South Campus Coordinator; Vice-Dean: Agriculture; Head: Dept of Sustainable Food Systems and Development; Director: Centre for Sustainable Agriculture; Coordinator: ARC Dept of Agriculture (DoA) University of the Free State (UFS) Consortium, UFS

New in 2026

• Mr Barsch Binjamin – Lead Software Engineer: Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC), Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
• Prof Gordon Cooper – Professor: School of Geosciences; Member of Senate, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
• Cube Analysis and Rendering Tool for Astronomy (CARTA) – Prof Russ Taylor, Chair: CARTA Management Team
• Dr Simthembile Dlamini – Early-Career Researcher/Postdoc: Department (Dept) of Astronomy, University of Cape Town (UCT)
• Good Money Habits Team – Prof Fredrerick Christiaan Fourie, Professor and Research Fellow: Dept of Economics and Finance, University of the Free State (UFS)
• Prof Govender Krishna – Associate Professor; Deputy Head: Research and Innovation, Dept of  Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg (UJ)
• Prof Marcia Mkansi – Associate Professor; College Head: Research and Innovation, University of South Africa (UNISA); also in the management, and Innovation – Corporate Organisation categories*
• Prof Shakti Pillay – Associate Professor: Division of Neonatology, Dept of Paediatrics and Child Health, UCT; Consultant Neonatologist, Groote Schuur Hospital
• Mr Mthetho Vuyo Sovara – Senior (Snr) Research Support Scientist: CHPC, CSIR
• Tecroveer (Pty) Ltd Engineering Team – Mr Graeme Taylor, Head of Engineering, Mechanical Engineer; also in the NSTF-Water Research Council (WRC), NSTF-Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Green Economy, and Innovation – SMME categories*
• Prof Eyob Tesfamariam – Associate Professor: Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria (UP)
• Prof Nicki Tiffin – Professor; Principal Investigator; Deputy Director, South African National Bioinformatics Institute, University of Western Cape (UWC)

Sponsored by the South African Centre for Digital Language Resources (SADiLaR) New in 2026

• Dr Herkulaas Combrink – Co-Director: Interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Futures; Senior Lecturer: Economics and Management Sciences, University of the Free State (UFS)
• TextAugment Team; Vuk’uzenzele Multilingual Corpus – Prof Vukosi Marivate, Professor: Computer Science; Director: African Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AfriDSAI), University of Pretoria (UP), ABSA UP Chair: Data Science

• Mr Stanton Ian Clark – Lecturer: Stadio Higher Education, Stadio Holdings; also in the special annual theme category*
• Digital Scholarship Services, University of Cape Town (UCT) Libraries – Ms Thandokazi Maceba, Data Curation Officer
• National Biodiversity Assessment 2025 Team – Prof Andrew Skowno, Associate Professor; Principal Specialist: National Biodiversity Assessment (NBA), South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI); Honorary Associate Professor: Biological Sciences, UCT
• Mr Sivuyile Sviggy Sesi – Online Tutor: Excel at Uni (Pty) Ltd; Online Ambassador: University of the People (UoPeople); also in the lifetime, TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher, Innovation – SMME, communication and the special annual theme categories*
• Prof Caston Sigauke – Associate Professor: Statistics, (UNIVEN)
• South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) – Dr Mandy Barnett, Chief Director: Adaptation Policy and Resourcing Division
• Dr Agatha Wilhase – Founder; Director; Principal Investigator; Chief Operations Officer (COO): Research Excellence in Medicine (REIMED); also in the Innovation – SMME category*

Sponsored by the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) since 2025

• Analytical Chemistry and Microbiology Team, Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd – Ms Mokgadi Manthata, Middle Manager: Chemistry
• Blue Crane Environmental – Ms Lisa de Lange, Director and Lead Environmental Assessment Practitioner
• Department of Electrical Engineering, UNISA – Prof Lukas Willem Snyman, Retired Professor, University of South Africa (UNISA)
• Dr Bramwell Gavaza – Senior (Snr) Lecturer: Faculty of Management and Public Administration Sciences , Walter Sisulu University  (WSU)
• Jenano SARChI Chair Research Team – Prof Tien Chien Jen, DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Green Hydrogen; Head: Department (Dept) of Mechanical Engineering Science; Director: Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) Research Centre, University of Johannesburg (UJ)
• Dr Ian Jones – Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO): InnoGlobal Pvt Ltd; President Emeritus, Innopharma; also in the science diplomacy category*
• Prof Anish Kurien – Professor: Electrical Engineering; Director: French South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI); Acting Director: Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hub; Transport Education Training Authority (TETA) Chair: Agile and Intelligent Transport Systems, TUT; also in the science diplomacy category*
• Prof Sumaya Laher and Dr Tasneem Hassem – Prof Sumaya Laher, Head: School of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), and Dr Tasneem Hassem, Senior Lecturer: Psychology Department, Wits
• Dr Themba Mashiyane – Manager: Engineering, Dept of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Technology, UJ
• Mr Gundo Mathoho – Snr Advisor: Environmental Sciences, Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd
• Prof Marcia Mkansi – Professor; College Head: Research and Innovation, University of South Africa (UNISA); also in the management, and research software categories*
• Mr Tshepo Molekwa – Director: TEKHMMA Inventions and Innovative solutions (Pty) Ltd
• Dr Kelley Reynolds-Clausen – Snr Consultant, Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd
• University of Cape Town (UCT) MedTech – Prof Sudesh Sivarasu, DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Biomedical Engineering and Innovation; Director, UCT; also in the communications category*
• Research, Development and Innovation Division, SA Wine – Mr Gerard Martin, Executive: Research, Development and Innovation (RDI); also in the Innovation – SMME category*
• Dr Eloise van der Merwe – Snr Lecturer: Biochemistry and Cell Biology, School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Wits; also in the special annual theme category*
• Waste-2-Value (W2V) – Prof Deon Visser, Head: Chemistry Dept, University of the Free State (UFS)
• Wits Advanced Drug Delivery Platform (WADDP) – Prof Yahya Choonara, Director: WADDP; DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Prototyping 21st Century Therapeutics; Chair and Head: Pharmaceutical Sciences, Wits

Sponsored by the National Intellectual Property Management Office (NIPMO) since 2019

• African Applied Chemical (Pty) Ltd – Dr Mthokozisi Sibanda, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Agrishelves Marketplace – Mr Lindelani Xhanti, Chief Innovation Manager; also in the NSTF-Agricultural Research Council (ARC) category*
• AlrSynQ – Prof Bruce Mellado, CEO: AIrSynQ; Executive Director: The South African Consortium of Air Quality Monitoring (SACAQM)
• Mr Sam Mokoena – Director: Goafritech Inventiveness, Inventor; also in the communications category*
• Nanosene (Pty) Ltd – Dr Gestél Kuyler, CEO: Co-Founder and Director; also in the Innovation – Corporate Organisation category*
• Dr Sean Perry – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) : SEAN PERRY; also in the NSTF-Water Research Commission (WRC) category*
• Mr Andrew Pienaar – Mechatronic Engineer, Tecroveer (Pty) Ltd
• Pulego Technologies – Mr Tshepo Thlaku, CEO and Co-Founder
• Mr Sivuyile Sviggy Sesi – Online Tutor: Excel at Uni (Pty) Ltd; Online Ambassador: University of the People (UoPeople); also in the lifetime, TW-Kambule researcher, data for research, communication and special annual theme categories*
• Sustainable Communal Living Cannabis Laboratory Ecosystem – Dr Yiseyon Sunday Hosu, Snr Lecturer and Established Researcher, Walter Sisulu University (WSU)
• Tecroveer (Pty) Ltd Engineering Team – Mr Graeme Taylor, Head of Engineering, Mechanical Engineer, Tecroveer (Pty) Ltd
• Tecroveer`s Hammanskraal Engineering Team – Mr Gary Hall, Project Manager, Tecroveer (Pty) Ltd
• Dr Agatha Wilhase – Founder; Director; Principal Investigator; Chief Operations Officer (COO): Research Excellence in Medicine (REIMED); also in the data for research category*
• Youth Media Development Movement – Mr Marshall Nelson, Managing Director

• Dr Gillian John Arendse – Manager: Communications and Stakeholder Relations, NRF-iThemba LABS
• Prof Michael Bruton – Professional Science Communicator: Mike Bruton Imagineering, MTE Studios and formula
• Digital Scholarship Services, UCT Libraries – Dr Sanjin Muftić, Digital Scholarship Specialist, University of Cape Town (UCT)
• FEBE STEM Ambassadors, UJ – Ms Precious Nthabiseng Maputle, Marketing Coordinator: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment (FEBE); Recruitment Ambassadors Coordinator, University of Johannesburg (UJ) FEBE STEM
• Mr Sibu Gaca – Founder and Managing Director: iBhekile Consulting (Pty) Ltd; Business Development Consultant, Whistle, United Kingdom (UK); Research Representative: Lex Lumen Research Journal, India
• Ms Shakira Hoosain – Campaign Strategist and Senior Copywriter: Editor of Research Matters and RE.SEARCH magazine, University of Pretoria (UP)
• Institute for Coastal and Marine Research, NMU – Dr Denise Schael, Director, Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
• Prof Raymond Jansen – Full Professor: Department (Dept) of Environmental, Water and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
• Mintek Communication Team – Mr Mandla Ndlovu, Head: Communications
• Dr Salmina Mokgehle – Senior (Snr) Lecturer: Horticultural Sciences, University of Mpumalanga (UMP)
• Mr Sam Mokoena – Director: Goafritech Inventiveness, Inventor; also in the Innovation – SMME category*
• Dr Simo Mthethwa – Snr Lecturer, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN); Founder and Director, Mthethwamatics
• Ms Princess Mtombeni – Founder: Africa4Nuclear; Nuclear Communication Specialist; Marketing, Advertising and Communication (MAC) Charter Councillor
• Ms Takalani Netshipale – Civil Engineer; Health Infrastructure Approval Committee (HIAC) member, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Health; Engineering Council of SA (ECSA) Ambassador; Chairperson: South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) Ethics; Deputy Chairperson: SAICE Diversity and Inclusivity; Panel member: SAICE Future Leaders Panel; Federation of African Engineering Organisations (FAEO); also in the management category*
• Prof Hlamalani Ngwenya – Head: Research, Communication for Innovation, University of the Free State (UFS)
• Mr Sivuyile Sviggy Sesi – Online Tutor: Excel at Uni; Online Ambassador: University of the People (UoPeople); also in the Lifetime, TW-Kambule Researcher, Data for Research, and innovation – SMME categories*
• Ms Mpendulo Emmarencia Sibiya – Research Communication Officer, National Research Foundation (NRF)
• Ms Robyn Caroline Ray Symons – Curator and Geocommunicator, University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
• UCT MedTech – Prof Sudesh Sivarasu, DSTI-NRF SARChI Chairholder: Biomedical Engineering and Innovation; Director, UCT; also in the Innovation – Corporate Organisation category*

• Advancing Knowledge NPC – Prof M Shaheed Hartley, Director & Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Centre for Wetland Research and Training (WetResT) – Dr Lulu Pretorius, Executive Director, WetResT; Freelance work: Climate Adaptation Specialist, Wetland Specialist and Project Manager; Postdoctoral Research Fellow: University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
• goGOGOgo – Ms Jane Simmonds, Executive Director; also in the special annual theme category*
• Maths Centre Incorporating Sciences (MCIS) – Ms Sharanjeet Shan, CEO; see also under the lifetime and management categories*
• STEM Infinity Science Centre – Ms Thabile Mthiyane, Director: STEM Infinity; Natural Science Facilitator, Centre for the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Education (CASME)
• ZTN Foundation NPC – Dr Zikhona Tywabi-Ngeva, Founder and Director

• Mr Stanton Ian Clark – Lecturer: Stadio Higher Education, Stadio Holdings; also in the data for research category*
• goGOGOgo – Ms Jane Simmonds, Executive Director; also in the non-governmental organisation (NGO) category*
• International Longevity Centre – South Africa (ILCSA) Science Diplomacy for Healthy Ageing with Optentia Research Unit, North-West University (NWU) – Prof Jaco Hoffman (DPhil, University of Oxford), Co-director: ILCSA; Professor: Socio-Gerontology, Optentia Research Unit, NWU; Lead: Ageing and Generational Dynamics in Africa (AGenDA) programme, (Optentia/NWU); Professorial Fellow: Institute of Population Ageing, University of Oxford; Coordinator: African Research on Ageing Network (AFRAN); also in the science diplomacy category*
• Prof Sebastiana Kalula – Emeritus Associate Professor: Department (Dept) of Medicine/Geriatric Medicine, University of Cape Town (UCT); Director: The Albertina and Walter Sisulu Institute of Ageing in Africa; also in the lifetime category*
• Prof Elena Moore – Professor: Sociology, UCT; Principal Investigator: Family Caregiving of Older Persons Programme; also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher category*
• Dr Claudia Ntsapi-Combrink – Senior (Snr) Lecturer: Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of the Free State (UFS); also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF emerging researcher category*
• Prof Llewellyn Padayachy – Professor and Head: Dept of Neurosurgery; Director: Brain Tumour and Translational Neuroscience Centre, University of Pretoria (UP) (BTC@UP); also in the NSTF-SAMRC clinician-scientist category*
• Prof Nicola Ann Plastow – Associate Professor: Division of Occupational Therapy; Programme Coordinator: B Occupational Therapy, Stellenbosch University (SU); also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher category*
• Prof Nombulelo Veronica Sepeng – Full Professor; Former Acting Head: Dept of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, UP; also in the TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher category*
• Mr Sivuyile Sviggy Sesi – Online Tutor: Excel at Uni (Pty) Ltd; Online Ambassador: University of the People (UoPeople); also in the lifetime, TW-Kambule-NSTF researcher, data for research, Innovation – SMME, and communication categories*
• Prof Stephen Tollman and Prof Kathleen Kahn – Prof Stephen Tollman, Director: South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC)/ University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Unit; Head: Health and Population Division, School of Public Health, Wits; Director: Agincourt Node, South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN); also in the lifetime category*; and Prof Kathleen Kahn, Professor: Public Health, Wits; Principal Scientist: SAMRC/Wits Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt); Head: Interdisciplinary PhD Programme in Public and Population Health, School of Public Health, Wits; also in the lifetime category*
• Dr Eloise van der Merwe – Snr Lecturer: Biochemistry and Cell Biology, School of Molecular and Cell Biology, Wits; also in the Innovation – Corporate Organisation category*