Change the world

September 2025

Nature Conservation Master’s student awarded SA Women in Science fellowship #R2bP
 
Nelson Mandela University’s Ruby Davies is one of seven master’s degree students countrywide, who received the South African Women in Science Awards DSTI–Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri Fellowship for their academic excellence and research potential.
 
Ruby is studying for her MSc in Nature Conservation at George Campus, with an international research component at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
 
Her research supports South Africa’s sustainability and global climate resilience goals, by contributing to evidence-based conservation.
 
The Fellowship celebrates exceptional women scientists advancing STEM in South Africa and beyond and were awarded recently at the 2025 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA).
 
Both doctoral and master’s students were recognised to support women researchers at critical stages in their academic journeys.  
 
Under the theme "Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science", the prestigious awards celebrated 30 exceptional women scientists and researchers, whose groundbreaking work is shaping the future of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in South Africa and beyond.  
 
 

 

National Humanitarian Award for Lumka Cube #R2bP
 
Lumka Cube, Administrative Assistant in Mandela University’s Nursing Science, has been awarded the 2025 Fabulous Woman Humanitarian Award by the Fabulous Girls Foundation.
 
Lumka was honoured for her work as founder and Managing Director of the Grab and Go Foundation, a Gqeberha-based non-profit.
 
Founded in October 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Grab and Go Foundation addresses urgent community needs by providing essentials, such as food, hygiene products, clothing, and other necessities to vulnerable groups.
 
“Based in Gqeberha, our mission is to support underserved individuals with dignity. I lead strategy, oversee operations, and build partnerships to expand our reach,” says Lumka.
 
The Fabulous Girls Foundation, a national NPO, empowers young women through mentorship and educational development while tackling youth unemployment. Its annual awards recognise and celebrate exceptional African women and girls.
 
“It’s an honour to be recognised nationally and to represent what the University stands for,” Lumka reflects. “Living out my purpose while working at an institution that aligns with my values is a true blessing.”
 
 

 

Juandré van Eck wins 2025 Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition #R2bP
 
Juandré van Eck (25), an Honours student in ceramic art at Nelson Mandela University, is the overall winner of the 2025 Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition, announced on 3 September. 
 
 
 
Juandré van Eck with his ceramic piece titled Cycles of the Mind that won the 2025 Sasol New Signatures Visual Arts Competition.
 
His prize is R100 000 to be used for a solo exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum next year.
 
His winning ceramic piece titled Cycles of the Mind consists of two connected gourd-shaped clay vessels, each with an embedded whistle made of clay.
 
“The sounds from the whistles speak to each other: one is a cry of liberation and joy, and the other a low, gentle echo of contemplation and unseen turmoil emulating the cycles of the mind,” he explains. The artwork is set on a short seesaw, which, when tipped, allows water to flow from one vessel to the other, producing sound through the displacement of air.
 
“I made this piece to talk for me and to talk to other people,” says Van Eck.
 
 
 
Conservation Management students shine at SAWMA Conference #R2bP
 
Three Conservation Management students from Mandela University’s George Campus were among the best presenters at the recent Southern Africa Wildlife Management Association (SAWMA) Conference at Port Alfred.
 
A total of nine Mandela University students attended, of whom two PhD students and five masters presented. Altogether 48 full presentations and 22 speed presentations were made.
 
Elizabeth Kennedy Overton (right) was awarded the Best PhD Speed Presentation for “Tracking cheetahs: quantifying hunting success through an age-old tracking method".
 
She is studying cheetahs at Tswalu Kalahari Reserve to assess their impact on prey populations and inform predator management.
 
Elizabeth’s research focuses on their hunting success, diet, microbiome, pathobiome, spatial movements, and interactions with prey and competitors.
 
The goal is to bridge the gap between research and practical conservation by addressing a specific management challenge.
 
 
The Best MSc Full Talk award went to Yasmin Markides for “Modelling functional dispersal corridors to Malawian protected areas for African wild dog and lion”.
 
Her project explores how Malawi’s fragmented landscapes affect the survival of lions and African wild dogs.
 
Using wildlife data and land-use maps, Yasmine is modelling habitat suitability and connectivity to identify key protected areas and wildlife corridors. The aim is to inform conservation planning and support viable populations.