Nomthandazo Precious Sibiya-Dlomo continues to make her mark in science and technology, with the Durban University of Technology (DUT) lecturer and doctoral student recently announced as the second SHERO winner in the Science and Technology category at the 10th annual Gagasi FM SHERO Awards 2026.
The prestigious awards ceremony was held at the Radisson Blu Oceans Mall in Umhlanga and celebrated extraordinary women who continue to excel and make a difference in their respective fields. The SHERO campaign profiles women who have made their mark across different sectors, while the Science and Technology category recognises women for high-quality scientific and technological achievements and their contributions through research and published work.
Sibiya-Dlomo, who is a lecturer and fourth-year doctoral candidate in the Department of Chemical Engineering at DUT, was nominated for the award by her husband, Mr Khanyisani Dlomo.
“I could not believe it when I received an email confirming my nomination. To make it even more special, only two people were chosen for the Science and Technology category in the whole of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN). For me, that was massive, even if I wasn’t going to win. Getting the recognition was beyond my imagination, and I am thankful to DUT for providing a good environment to conduct my research,” she said.
Her research focuses on developing sustainable and affordable water treatment technologies to address water scarcity and pollution. She also teaches and mentors undergraduate, honours and master’s students, contributing to the development of the next generation of researchers and professionals.
Sibiya-Dlomo’s interest in water research is closely connected to her upbringing in Umbumbulu, a rural community where water scarcity and limited access to clean water were part of everyday life. Witnessing these challenges first-hand helped her understand the impact that environmental issues have on people’s quality of life and motivated her to pursue a career in engineering and water research.
Her journey has also been shaped by women in STEM who have challenged barriers and demonstrated what is possible in fields where women remain underrepresented.
“Their achievements showed me that gender or background should never limit one’s ambitions. The greatest lesson I have learned is that resilience is often more important than talent. Success rarely comes without setbacks, but persistence, discipline, and a willingness to keep learning can open doors that once seemed impossible,” she said.
Reflecting on the achievement she is most proud of, Sibiya-Dlomo said it is the woman she has become.
“If someone had told me 10 years ago that I would be this established, I would have thought they were joking,” she said with a laugh.
Her dedication to research has earned her several prestigious recognitions. These include being named DUT Alumnus of the Month in October 2025, receiving the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Young Talents Award and the Eni Young Talents in Africa Prize in 2024, and the NRF Research Excellence Award for Next Generation Researchers in 2023.
In 2025, she was also awarded the Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri Doctoral Fellowship at the South African Women in Science Awards. Most recently, she was named among the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans 2026 under the Climate, Environment and Energy category.
“These achievements serve as a reminder that with perseverance, resilience, and belief in oneself, even the most ambitious dreams can become reality,” she said.
For Sibiya-Dlomo, Women’s Month is an opportunity to celebrate women in STEM, inspire young girls from disadvantaged backgrounds and recognise the resilience of women who continue to break barriers.
She hopes to leave a legacy of excellence, innovation and service at DUT and in her community. At the University, she wants to be remembered as a researcher and educator who contributed meaningful solutions to water and environmental challenges, while strengthening DUT’s research profile and inspiring a culture of scientific curiosity and innovation.
Pictured: Nomthandazo Precious Sibiya-Dlomo
Waheeda Peters
