Ms Nomthandazo Sibiya-Dlomo, a lecturer and a doctoral student in Chemical Engineering at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) was recently announced as a finalist for the prestigious 2025 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWISA). The 2025 SAWISA ceremony will be held in Bloemfontein on Thursday, 21 August 2025, to recognise and reward excellence by women scientists and researchers, profiling them as role models for younger women.
The theme for the 2025 SAWISA awards is “Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science” which aligns with global efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by recognising the role of women in moulding scientific disciplines.
Making her voice heard in the science field, Ms Sibiya-Dlomo, originally from Umbumbulu has been selected in the category: Doctoral Fellows, showcasing groundbreaking work spanning a wide range of fields, reflecting the depth and diversity of women’s contributions to science in South Africa. She was appointed as a lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering in 2024. She is currently embarking on her second year of her Doctoral of Engineering (DEng) in Chemical Engineering under the supervision of Prof Sudesh Rathilal and Dr Thembisile Mahlangu who are from the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at DUT.
She gave a snapshot of her research dissertation titled: “Heavy metals reduction from industrial effluents using hybrid bio-adsorbents.” She shared that there has recently been a lot of interest in immobilising microbial cells on biosorbents to eliminate contaminants.
“However, there is little information available in this subject, hence the goal of this study is to examine various agricultural products and food waste as adsorbents for heavy metal removal from wastewaters. The novel adsorbents will be created by immobilising magnetised sugarcane bagasse, banana peels, or orange peels with microalgae to reduce the effect of heavy metals like copper, lead, and chromium,” she said.
To date, Ms Sibiya-Dlomo has published six journals and co-authored two journal papers with Google Scholar citation of 136, h-index 5 and i10-index 4.
She went on to thank DUT, her department of Chemical Engineering, her supervisor and co-supervisor for their unwavering support. She further thanked her family and friends for their prayers and love during her journey of becoming Dr Sibiya-Dlomo.
“Lastly, I want to thank my husband, Mr Khanyisani Dlomo for looking after my kids, Zethembiso and Simingaye while I am trying to acquire this qualification. This is for all the girls from disadvantaged backgrounds that anything is possible, the future really depends on us. As I would always say the future is Female,” she remarked.
Sharing his congratulatory remarks, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement at DUT, Professor Fulufhelo Nemavhola said: “DUT is proud of Ms Sibiya-Dlomo for the recognition at the South African Women In Science Awards. This substantiates DUT’s commitment to excellence in research, innovation and societal impact as enshrined in the university’s ENVISION2030 strategy. She serves as an inspiration to emerging researchers at DUT, especially other young female researchers working tirelessly to transform societies. Her dedication, hard work, and perseverance in the science field are truly inspiring.”
Pictured: Ms Nomthandazo Precious Sibiya Dlomo
Waheeda Peters/Simangele Zuma
