Two researchers from the University of Pretoria (UP) have emerged as winners of the highly coveted National Science and Technology Forum/South32 Awards, popularly referred to as South Africa's “Science Oscars”.

The NSTF-South32 Awards acknowledge exceptional contributions to science, engineering, technology (SET), and innovation, and are supported and endorsed by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI). The awards are widely recognised as the country's most prestigious and extensive accolades in the realm of public SET and innovation.

Professor Paxie Wanangwa Chirwa was the recipient of the Management Award for his contribution, centred on people, to future forestry development in South Africa, and for training future foresters with the aim of helping them recognise the importance of communities in proximity to the forest resource in sustainable forest management and use.

He is the South African Forestry Company Limited (SAFCOL) Forest Chair and Director of the Forest Science postgraduate programme in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences at UP. He is a forest scientist and specialises in socio-ecological systems in forests, agroforestry, and social or community forestry. His research group works on a range of projects in remote regions of South Africa and other forest ecosystems in Africa, including the miombo dry forest and woodlands of southern Africa.

Senior research fellow from the Department of Zoology and Entomology Dr Daniel William Hart received the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher. This was in recognition of his contributions to utilising concepts from evolutionary biology to address biological questions of health, biological, social and economic relevance to humans. His research focuses on using knowledge of evolutionary biology of mammals to improve treatments of human medical conditions and to predict future consequences of climate change.

The University of Pretoria proudly celebrates the remarkable achievements of these exceptional individuals who use their scientific contributions to make today matter and create a better tomorrow.