BLOEMFONTEIN – Scientists from across South Africa will be honoured at the 2025-’26 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) South32 Awards, known as the “Science Oscars of South Africa”.

This includes four academics from the University of the Free State (UFS).

The NSTF presents the awards annually to recognise outstanding contributions to science, engineering, technology and innovation. Winners will be announced at a gala event on Thursday 16 July.

The finalists from the UFS are Prof Johan van Niekerk, Prof Jan Willem Swanepoel, Prof Hlamalani Ngwenya and Dr Herkulaas Combrink. Their nominations span climate-smart agriculture, science diplomacy, communication for innovation and human language technologies.

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Research recognised

Van Niekerk, vice-dean of agriculture and head of the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development at UFS, is a finalist in the NSTF-Agricultural Research Council Award category. His nomination recognises his leadership in climate-smart impact assessment through a ‘living laboratory’ approach and his role in establishing the university’s veterinary training centre and accredited bachelor’s programme.

“The living laboratory philosophy has shown that the most impactful research often emerges when scientists, farmers, communities, industry and government work together to solve real-world challenges,” Van Niekerk said.

Swanepoel, director of the Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Development and Extension at UFS, is a finalist in the Science Diplomacy for Africa Award category for his work transforming livelihoods through livestock value chain development and curriculum innovation.

Ngwenya, research chair for communication for innovation, is a finalist in the NSTF-South32 Communication Award category. Her nomination recognises the development of the “wearing scientific goggles” approach, which enables practitioners to transform everyday practice into scientific evidence.

Combrink, co-director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Digital Futures, is a finalist in the NSTF-SADiLaR Research Software: Human Language Technologies category. His nomination recognises development of SignBank and the LebitsoApp, a platform for South African Sign Language human language technology development.

Bridging the gap

Prof Vasu Reddy, deputy vice-chancellor for research, innovation and postgraduate studies, said the finalists exemplify how transdisciplinary collaboration translates knowledge into societal impact.

“Our finalists exemplify how transdisciplinary collaboration – from farms to digital futures – translates knowledge into tangible societal impact,” he said.

“Whether through climate-smart agriculture or science diplomacy, UFS research is advancing solutions that are locally rooted and globally relevant. Bridging the gap between knowledge and practice is central to our mission of creating responsible societal futures.”

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