Amber ChengWhat if the person helping you is silently struggling? Addiction doesn’t discriminate. It cuts across class, race, gender—and hides in plain sight, often through prescription meds we assume are safe. In South Africa, it’s estimated that 15% of the population faces drug addiction, including prescription misuse. But the true scale is unknown. We lack data—and that’s where research matters.
Chia-Yu ChengMalaria kills over half a million people every year in Africa—mostly pregnant women and children under five. But what if the key to stopping malaria lies inside the mosquito? Dr. Chia Yu Cheng at the Research Institute for Malaria is exploring how bacteria in a mosquito’s gut—its microbiome—can be altered to help the insect fight off the malaria parasite. This isn’t about eradicating mosquitoes. It’s about transforming them from carriers to barriers.
Cynthia SawasawaBehind every child receiving medical care is a caregiver navigating the complexity of illness—emotionally, practically, and often invisibly. Cynthia Sawasawa’s research highlights a critical truth: the wellbeing of children with medical conditions is deeply intertwined with the experiences of their caregivers. By studying how caregivers identify illness, seek care, and manage everyday life, this research offers a more holistic view of health—one that honours both the child and the caregiver.
Training Workshop Introductory Video
Frank LekabaWhat if every person in Africa could realise their full potential? Dr. Frank Lekaba’s research at the School of Governance explores exactly that—how state structures, political regimes, and governance models impact people’s ability to thrive. While Scandinavian countries show what's possible when states invest in public health, education, and social services, many African nations remain trapped under authoritarian systems that stifle progress. His work speaks directly to Agenda 2063.
Khethlelo Xulu1 in 5 people globally is affected by a mental health disorder—yet the biological and genetic roots of these conditions remain poorly understood. Dr. Khethelo Xulu’s research dives deep into the science behind psychiatric disorders, using advanced biomedical techniques, lab models, and human samples to explore why some people develop conditions like schizophrenia, anxiety, or depression—and why treatments work for some but not others. His work contributes to the future of precision medicine.
Lerato MompatiWhat happens when governments don’t know what they own? Many public buildings across South Africa—and globally—are poorly managed, under-maintained, or dangerously non-compliant. One tragic example: the 2018 fire at the Bank of Lisbon building, which was just 21% compliant with safety standards before it burned down. Lerato Mompati’s research confronts this critical governance issue by focusing on strategic asset management in the public sector.
Nomalanga MashininiWho owns your image online? And how do you protect it? In a world of deepfakes, unsolicited memes, and AI-generated content, our image rights—our faces, voices, and digital identities—are increasingly vulnerable to misuse. Dr. Nomalanga Mashinini is tackling this through The WIRE (VIPs Image Rights Engagement), a research entity that brings legal scholars and computer scientists together to shape stronger laws, technologies, and policies to protect people from digital exploitation.
Pride NdlovuWhat’s delaying Africa’s construction industry? For many developers, the biggest challenge isn’t building—it’s getting materials past customs. Border delays, high tariffs, and inefficient logistics drive up costs and delay projects, with research linking up to 30% of project delays to these issues.
Dr. Pride Ndlovu’s research focuses on:
? Streamlining customs procedures
? Investing in infrastructure
? Strengthening regional collaboration
Sibongile LangaWhat if the cure for cancer is growing in our own backyard? Cancer remains one of the world’s leading killers—but current treatments often come with harsh side effects and drug resistance. That’s why Sibongile Langa’s research explores a different path: South African indigenous medicinal plants. Her work investigates the cancer-fighting potential of these plants, analyzing their chemical compounds and testing their safety and effectiveness—both in the lab and in real-life models.
Smangaliso NgwenyaWhat does it mean to dance in a way that remembers who you are? For many, dance is joy. It’s ritual. It’s memory in motion. But in South Africa, dance is also a form of knowledge—especially within Black communities where movement carries history, identity, and resistance. Smangaliso Ngwenya’s practice-led research explores how South African Black contemporary dancers carry and transmit indigenous knowledge through choreography, teaching, and embodied memory.
Sikhumbuzo MaiselaWho gets to survive in South Africa’s informal economy? Spaza shops—those small, often township-based retail stores—have long been a source of income and employment in South Africa. But in recent years, a shift has taken place: immigrant entrepreneurs have entered the space, leading to the displacement of South African shopkeepers, sparking tensions and, at times, violence. Sikhumbuzo Maisela’s PhD research investigates this complex dynamic.
