The Durban University of Technology (DUT) is proud to announce that two of its leading researchers have been selected as finalists for the esteemed 2024/2025 National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) South32 Awards, often referred to as South Africa’s ‘Science Oscars.’
Professor Faizal Bux, Director of the Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT) at DUT and Dr Emmanuel Kweinor Tetteh, Senior Researcher in the Green Engineering Research Group within the Department of Chemical Engineering at DUT, have been recognised for their exceptional contributions to science, engineering and technology (SET) in South Africa.
Professor Bux has been named a finalist in the prestigious NSTF-South32 Lifetime Award category, which acknowledges individuals who have dedicated 15 years or more to impactful research in South Africa. His nomination underscores the national and international stature of DUT’s Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology, as a leader in innovative water research. In addition to heading the institute, Professor Bux holds the DSTI/NRF South African Research Chair (SARChI) in Wastewater Treatment. He is celebrated globally for reimagining wastewater as a valuable resource, with sustainable solutions that protect the environment and generate economic potential.
Dr Tetteh is a finalist in the TW Kambule-NSTF Emerging Researcher category, which recognises exceptional researchers within the first six years of their research careers. Passionate about promoting green engineering solutions for environmental sustainability, Dr Tetteh’s work in the water-energy nexus continues to elevate DUT’s global research footprint.
Reflecting on his nomination, Dr Tetteh said, “I am honoured to accept the nomination as a finalist for the 2024/2025 NSTF-South32 Awards. I am truly humbled by this recognition and grateful to the NSTF Adjudication Panel for this prestigious acknowledgement of my work.”
Acting Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Prof Sudesh Rathilal shared that this was really an easy nomination for such an accomplished researcher. “He has been a great student, mentee, colleague and collaborator of mine and I am proud to be associated with Dr Tetteh. He has achieved much success in the past and I have no doubt that he will continue to reach greater heights in the future. Congrats to Dr Tetteh again for being a finalist and all the best on the day. We are surely proud of you being within Green Engineering at DUT,” he said.
Expressing his pride in the finalists, Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Engagement at DUT said, “We are immensely proud of Professor Bux and Dr Tetteh for being named as finalists in the NSTF-South32 Awards. Their dedication to impactful, high-quality research exemplifies DUT’s commitment to excellence, innovation and transformation in science and technology. This recognition not only honours their achievements but also inspires a new generation of researchers at our university and across South Africa.”
The NSTF-South32 Awards are South Africa’s most prestigious accolades in the fields of science and technology, celebrating outstanding contributions by professionals, teams and organisations. Established in 1998, the Awards span multiple categories, including lifetime achievement, emerging researchers, innovation and science communication.
Winners will be announced at the NSTF Awards Gala Event, scheduled as a hybrid celebration on Thursday, 31 July 2025, simultaneously hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre and the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
Pictured: Professor Faizal Bux and Dr Emmanuel Kweinor Tetteh.
Photography: Khulasande Tshayile
Waheeda Peters/Simangele Zuma
