RC 260903SAfmKoketso Sachane
Thursday, 3 September 2026
A special broadcast from the National Research Foundation Awards highlighted South African research tackling health, water and inequality while advancing transformation in science.
- 20:15
Science Minister Blade Nzimande said the NRF receives 40% of his department’s budget, supporting postgraduate research, black women scientists and innovation with practical social impact.
- 20:38
Researchers warned that childhood immunisation coverage has fallen after COVID-19, raising outbreak risks; South Africa is investigating barriers ranging from vaccine hesitancy to supply-chain failures.
- 20:53
University of Limpopo researcher Dr Makado is developing hydrogel technology that stores water in soil, releases biostimulants and can remove contaminants from water, targeting water scarcity.
- 21:44
Professor Jonathan Jansen said 80% of participants in the Future Professors Programme have become professors, with 90% of selected candidates being black South Africans.
- 21:52
Mathematical modelling by Stellenbosch University’s epidemiology centre has informed South African policy on HIV, TB, COVID-19 and HPV vaccination strategies.