A Post-doctoral Fellow under the Technology, Transfer and Innovation unit at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), Dr Mapula Razwinani was recently honoured as one of the seven phenomenal women scientists at the 2023 L’Oréal – UNESCO For Women in Science National Awards ceremony (FWIS). This prestigious awards ceremony took place recently in Sandton, Gauteng.
Dr Razwinani (40) who comes from Magau village in Louis Trichardt, Limpopo was ecstatic when she finally obtained this award after her application was consecutively rejected in 2018 and 2019. Her research focuses on the use of plant extracts encapsulated in hydrocolloid bandages for the future treatment of burn wounds. She was awarded a research grant to advance her research.
“It all started when I was doing my PhD in 2018. My supervisor who is now my mentor, Professor Keolebogile Motaung, Director: Technology, Transfer and Innovation at DUT assisted me with my application for the 2018 L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Sub-Saharan Africa Fellowships to support young women scientists. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful. In 2019, Prof Motaung encouraged me to apply again, but I was unsuccessful. When the call for 2023 came out, I was encouraged to apply again and this time I was successful,” shared Dr Razwinani in excitement.
Giving insight on the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science National Programme, Dr Razwinani said it identifies and rewards talented young female scientists in the fields of formal sciences, life sciences, environmental sciences, physical sciences, engineering and technological sciences.
To enter the programme, Dr Razwinani explained that a post-doctoral student should be a South African citizen who is enrolled in a post-doctorate in a research laboratory or an institution in South Africa. Moreover, she explained that this individual should be conducting research in one of the scientific fields listed and must have started the post-doctorate before the opening date of the call for applications. 
Turning her research project into a product which she filed and granted a patent in South Africa and Europe, is what Dr Razwinani believes made her to stand out from the rest of the applicants.
“My product is a plant-derived medicinal composition with a registered national patent number: 2017/08330 and a European patent number: 1883680.3 – 112. I have also developed a prototype of a natural anti-inflammatory ointment product (La-Africa Soother) from medicinal plants that helps relieve muscle and joint aches. It not only relieves muscle and joint pain post-exercise, but it is also preventative, and the product is on the market,” said Dr Razwinani.
To her, this achievement means growth, development, achieving her goals and being an inspiration to other females in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Innovation (STEAMI). She feels it also means pushing herself outside her comfort zone, setting a clear direction for herself and working hard to reach her destination. Dr Razwinani believes this accolade is all about constantly improving herself both personally and professionally, and striving to be the best version of herself that she can be.
For DUT, Dr Razwinani said this achievement means strengthening the presence and visibility of women in STEAMI. She was recently selected as one of the top 50 young scientists to represent South Africa at the 8th BRICS Young Scientist Forum 2023 under the theme: “The future of education, mindset, and skillset.”
Speaking briefly about herself, Dr Razwinani indicated that she is passionate about mentoring young scientists in their pursuit of academic and research excellence on how to best present their research work at conferences and how to analyse their research data. Dr Razwinani also mentors young entrepreneurs in design thinking, pitching decks and science communication.
Sharing her congratulatory remarks, DUT Director: Technology, Transfer and Innovation, Professor Keolebogile Motaung commended Dr Razwinani for managing to turn her research into a business and for not only doing it for the sake of publication. Prof Motaung is also the Founder and CEO of Global Health Biotech which is a business she established from her PhD research.
“At DUT we always encourage our researchers to conduct research that will be able to benefit the society. This is enshrined in our ENVISION2030 which encourages our students to be entrepreneurial and innovative to become adaptive graduates who will improve lives and livelihoods of the society. Well done to Dr Razwinani and may she continue flying the DUT flag up high,” said Prof Motaung.
Pictured: Dr Mapula Razwinani receiving her award.
Simangele Zuma
