At the South African Women in Science Awards, hosted by the national Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), Professor Zodwa Dlamini of the University of Pretoria (UP) was among those honoured for their significant contributions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI).

The 2024 awards ceremony was hosted at the ANEW Resort White River in Mbombela under the theme ‘Transition Towards an Innovation Economy: The Role of Women Leaders in STEM’. Prof Dlamini, an expert in molecular oncology, won the Distinguished Woman Scientist Award in the Natural and Engineering Sciences category.

“I am deeply honoured to receive such a prestigious award,” she said. “This achievement reaffirms that my dedication to addressing the urgent cancer challenges in the African region is both recognised and valued.”

Prof Dlamini is known for her commitment to advancing precision oncology, and leads efforts in tailoring cancer treatments to individual genetic profiles, driving significant progress in precision medicine. She is the Director of the South African Medical Research Council’s Precision Oncology Research Unit; the founding Director of UP’s Pan African Cancer Research Institute; and the DSI/National Research Foundation SARChI Chair in Precision Oncology and Cancer Prevention in UP’s Faculty of Health Sciences. Additionally, Prof Dlamini is a global co-investigator for the National Cancer Institute/Cancer Research UK’s SAMBAI (societal, ancestry, molecular and biological analyses of inequalities) Cancer Grand Challenges group of researchers, which was awarded $25 million (about R450 million) to address cancer inequities over the course of five years.

Prof Dlamini’s impact extends beyond her research, as she is dedicated to training the next generation of scientists and clinicians across South Africa and the broader region, fostering new expertise in cancer research and treatment.

“I hope that my work and determination inspire young scientists to persevere in their efforts until we find lasting solutions to address cancer in Africa,” she said. “I also want to encourage more young women to pursue careers in STEM. The opportunities are boundless – embrace them, and together, we can change the world.”