N RF-iThemba LABS hosted its Staff Awards at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West, Cape Town, and the Parktonian Hotel in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, on Friday, 22 November 2024. The event created an opportunity to recognize exceptional performance in SEVEN categories, but also to celebrate members with uninterrupted service. In addition, we also acknowledged those who have committed time and energy to personal development through the pursuit of formalized training. The event was opened by the Managing Director, Prof Tshivhase: “What a privilege to welcome you all to our celebration of talent, commitment, passion, longevity, excellence, willingness, bravery, innovation, creativity, problem-solving, support, and teamwork. I joined NRF-iThemba LABS on the 1st of June 2023 and what an amazing ride it has been. There have been ups and downs, smooth-sailing and off-road, with a gentle breeze from the back, but also against strong head-winds. And yet, we managed to keep moving forward. This event was put together with ONE aim in mind … to remind you, that YOU MATTER.” Dr Rudzani Nemutudi provided a highlights package that included a reminder of why we should be in awe of our employer.
Staff Recognition Awards
- Technical Excellence Award: Hein Anderson
- Stakeholder Service Award: Donovan Wyngaard
- Service to NRF Award: Mzimasi Ntanjana
- Management and Leadership Award: Ms Nadia Jansen-Gqibela
- Administrative Excellence Award: Ms Moloko Mahlare
- Championing the NRF-values Award: John Mncube
- Team Award: SAIF
The long-service awards celebrate 300 years of institutional memory, with Mr. Colin Doyle completing 30 years of uninterrupted service at his retirement at the end of the year. Congratulations to the following members of staff who were recognized for their commitment and service to the organization:
- Nadia Jansen-Gqibela
- Nawaal Valentine
- Siyavuya Ncamani
- Phumza Zantsi
- Zaid Dyers
- Nadia September
- Chris Antonie
- Joele Mira
- Ebrahim Majiet
- Rayana Anthony
- Pam Jones
- Mzubangile Mentyisi
- Maria Napo
- Motau Maloma
- Maurita Williams
- Wayne Kearns
- Julian Fredericks
- Tiro Modisane
- Riyad Adams
- Mogamad Isaacs
- Ms Tina van der Westhuizen: Bachelor of Arts (Cum Laude)
- Mr Motau Maloma: Advance Diploma in Procurement Supply
- Mr Vuyo Nkalashe: National Diploma in Electrical Engineering
Accessing research infrastructure at the TIP of Africa
T he Tandetron laboratory at NRF-iThemba LABS in Cape Town is equipped with a number of external beamlines for dedicated ion beam analysis. One of the techniques that is regularly employed is particle induced x-ray emission (PIXE) through which the elemental composition of a sample can be determined.
Mr. Adama Coulibaly, who is the Head of the Environmental Monitoring Service at the Malian Radiation Protection Agency (AMARAP), visited NRF-iThemba LABS to conduct PIXE-analyses on soil and cereal (maize, peanut, sorghum, and rice) samples taken from areas close to the Fekola mine located in southwest Mali, on the border between Mali and Senegal, approximately 500 km from the capital city, Bamako. The mine is operated by the B2Gold Corporation, a Canadian mining company that operates in Mali, Namibia, and the Philippines.
It is known that industrial activities, such as mining, can result in higher concentrations of NORM—uranium (U-238), thorium (Th-232), and potassium (K-40)—as well as heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and lead (Pb) contaminating soil and groundwater due to the excavation process. These contaminants can then enter into the food chain and negatively impact the health of mineworkers and the general public. Overexposure to the contaminants could lead to gastrointestinal and kidney dysfunction, nervous system disorders, skin lesions, immune system dysfunction, cancer risks, organ malformations, and many other ailments.
The regulation of mining activities relies on the availability of verifiable datasets related to concentrations and activities of contaminants. Mr. Coulibaly visited NRF-iThemba LABS to conduct PIXE-analyses due to the specialized equipment not being available in Mali. The analysis of the heavy metals will be used to complement his gamma-ray spectroscopy analyses that were done in Mali. This is another example of how the National Research Infrastructure Platform is supporting and advancing knowledge and skills development on the African continent.
Definitions of impact depend on the context within which that impact is being sought and the types of impact being assessed. Impact, in its various dimensions, is about a change or marked effect.
Dikeledi Maduma and Anuoluwa Makinde participated in the 28th International Scientific Conference of Young Scientists and Specialists (AYSS - 2024) that was hosted by the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR) in Dubna, Russia from the 28th of October to the 1st of November 2024.
This is their second visit to the JINR as they also participated in the International Student Practice that was offered in September. “These experiences are not only impacting our content knowledge, but we are also able to interact with peers from across the world,” said Dikeledi. “The conference and visit exposed one to other areas of physical science research. This allowed for one’s knowledge to increase,” stated Anuoluwa.
They are not only appreciative of the experience, but also the opportunity to measure themselves against others on an international stage. They both presented oral presentations related to their own research within the area of nanoscience and nanotechnology under the tutelage of Prof Malik Maaza.
Anuoluwa, with a background in mechatronic engineering, is registered for an MSc at UNISA that focuses on bio-engineered solar absorbers for application within desalination plants. Her research aims to advance the use of environmentally friendly (or “green”) synthesis methods as an innovative means for the development of renewable energy solutions technology as innovative renewable energy solutions.
Dikeledi is also registered for an MSc at UNISA and focuses on the synthesis and characterization of boron and boron carbide nanoparticles for applications in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). BNCT was approved as a clinical therapy modality in Japan in 2020.
Mr Ambrose Yaga once said - “It is said that we live by the stories that we tell, and we believe that these experiences have the possibility of shaping the next generation of scientists and technicians,”
How do we establish, maintain and enhance mutually beneficial relationships to advance research, training and expertise?
NRF-iThemba LABS hosted Prof Khaled Abou-El-Hossein, the Executive Dean of Engineering and Technology Faculty, and Mr. Vido Kungune, the Acting Director for Internationalization at Vaal University of Technology (VUT) on Wednesday, 20 November.
Dr. Rudzani Nemutudi presented a short overview of the research activities at NRF-iThemba LABS with specific reference to opportunities linked to student training and staff development within the context of accelerator-based sciences. The visitors were then treated to a guided tour by Dr. Mlungisi Nkosi, head of the Tandetron Laboratory, and Mr. Nieldane Stodart, head of the Research Development and Technical Support division.
It is clear that there are opportunities to foster impactful relationships, both locally and abroad through the structured SA-JINR and SA-CERN programme, that supports VUT’s mission to inspire thought and to shape talent. It is envisaged that the relationship will be formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement in the near future.
Prof Khaled is looking forward to bringing more VUT scientists and students to benefit from these research facilities. “It has been a pleasure to visit these premier facilities and VUT is looking forward to a sustainable and fruitful collaboration,” remarked Vido.
