Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa

17/07/2026

Our warmest congratulations to Prof Maaza!

Congratulations to Prof Malik Maaza, recipient of the prestigious Science Diplomacy for Africa Award at the 2025/2026 NSTF-South32 Awards!

Sponsored by Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA), this
award recognises Prof Maaza's exceptional contribution to advancing science, innovation, and international collaboration across the African continent. As a Full Professor and Senior Scientist at the Unisa - The University of South Africa, UNESCO Africa Chair, and Extraordinary Professor at the The University of the Western Cape, he has been a pioneering force in establishing and advancing the multidisciplinary field of nanosciences and nanotechnologies in Africa.

Join us LIVE for the NSTF-South32 Awards Gala Event: https://www.youtube.com/live/15mSRmCuF9g

South32 Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA

13/07/2026

APPLICATIONS TO ATTEND ASDC 2026 ARE NOW OPEN
Join us at the inaugural Africa Science Diplomacy Conference (ASDC) 2026, taking place from 30 November to 1 December 2026 in Pretoria, South Africa.
Hosted by the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) through the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) initiative, ASDC 2026 will bring together policymakers, diplomats, scientists, researchers, industry leaders and international partners under the theme:
Science diplomacy with, for and by Africa
Be part of the conversation as we:
• Explore how science diplomacy can strengthen international cooperation
• Exchange knowledge and ideas across sectors and regions
• Build new partnerships across Africa and beyond
• Engage with leading voices in science diplomacy
ASDC 2026 will be followed immediately by Science Forum South Africa (2 to 4 December 2026), offering a unique opportunity to participate in a full week of dialogue on science, technology, innovation and international cooperation.
Key dates
📅 Applications close: 18 September 2026
📅 Successful applicants notified by: 30 September 2026
Apply to attend today:
🔗 https://www.asdc.co.za/apply-to-attend/
We look forward to welcoming participants from across Africa and around the world.

10/07/2026

Congratulations to Prof Malik Maaza, a finalist in the Science Diplomacy for Africa Award category of the 2025/2026 NSTF-South32 Awards, known as the ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa. These prestigious awards recognise and promote outstanding contributions to science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation by related professionals, practitioners, teams, partnerships and organisations in South Africa.

Prof Maaz is a Full Professor and Senior Scientist at the Unisa - The University of South Africa ; UNESCO Africa Chair; Extraordinary Professor at the The University of the Western Cape. For pioneering the multi-disciplinary field of nanosciences and nanotechnologies in Africa.

Read more about each finalist and their work: https://nstf.org.za/current-finalists/

Sponsored by the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) since 2024

South32 Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA

10/07/2026

Honouring Dr Tozama Qwebani-Ogunleye, a finalist in the Science Diplomacy for Africa Award category of the 2025/2026 NSTF-South32 Awards, known as the ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa. These prestigious awards recognise and promote outstanding contributions to science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation by related professionals, practitioners, teams, partnerships and organisations in South Africa.

Dr Qwebani-Ogunleye is a Programme Officer at Africa and Overseas Partnerships, The Academy of Science of South Africa. For championing the Sovereign Africa Research Agenda, blending chemistry, traditional medicine, and diplomacy to authenticate indigenous remedies and amplify African voices globally.

Read more about each finalist and their work: https://nstf.org.za/current-finalists/

Sponsored by the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) since 2024

South32 Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA

10/07/2026

Celebrating Prof Helen Rees’s remarkable achievement. She is a finalist in the Science Diplomacy for Africa Award category of the 2025/2026 NSTF-South32 Awards, known as the ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa.

Prof Rees is an Executive Director at Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute ; Co-Director: African Local Initiative for Vaccinology Expertise at the Wits - University of the Witwatersrand. For her significant impact on cervical cancer prevention locally and globally through leading breakthrough research and sustained science diplomacy

Read more about each finalist and their work: https://nstf.org.za/current-finalists/

Sponsored by the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) since 2024

South32 Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SAI

10/07/2026

Congratulations to Prof Aldo Stroebel, a finalist in the Science Diplomacy for Africa Award category of the 2025/2026 NSTF-South32 Awards. These prestigious awards recognise and promote outstanding contributions to science, engineering, technology (SET) and innovation by related professionals, practitioners, teams, partnerships and organisations in South Africa.

Prof Stroebel is a Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research, Innovation and Internationalisation at the University of Mpumalanga. For advancing science diplomacy by building strategic, multi-country partnerships that turn research into solutions for Africa.

Read more about each finalist and their work: https://nstf.org.za/current-finalists/

Sponsored by the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) since 2024

South32 Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA

10/07/2026

Honouring Prof Jan Willem Swanepoel, a finalist in the Science Diplomacy for Africa Award category of the 2025/2026 NSTF-South32 Awards, known as the ‘Science Oscars’ of South Africa.

He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development; Director: Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Development and Extension, University of the Free State, Project Coordinator: TAGDev 2.0 (Mastercard Foundation/RUFORUM); Chief Editor: South African Journal of Agricultural Extension (SAJAE). For transforming livelihoods and changing systems through livestock value chain development, entrepreneurship, and curriculum innovation – shaping national livestock strategy and building resilience from South African communities to continental impact.

Read more about each finalist and their work: https://nstf.org.za/current-finalists/

Sponsored by the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) since 2024

South32 Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA

03/07/2026

📢 The Call for Proposals for ASDC 2026 is now open
We invite you to help shape the programme of the inaugural Africa Science Diplomacy Conference, taking place from 30 November to 1 December 2026 in Pretoria, South Africa.
ASDC 2026 will bring together policymakers, diplomats, scientists, researchers, industry leaders and international partners to explore how science diplomacy can strengthen international cooperation and help address shared global challenges.
We welcome proposals for:
🔹 Sessions
🔹 Panel discussions
🔹 Workshops
🔹 Other interactive formats
Proposals may address a range of strategic themes, from international cooperation and multilateralism to STISA 2034, global partnerships with Africa, innovation, emerging priorities and future strategies for science diplomacy.
📅 Submission deadline: 31 August 2026
🔗 View the thematic tracks and submission guidelines: https://www.asdc.co.za/call
🔗 Submit your proposal: https://www.asdc.co.za/call/submission-form
Want to stay informed about ASDC 2026? Subscribe for programme updates, registration information, keynote speaker announcements and important deadlines: https://www.asdc.co.za/subscribe

30/06/2026

The SDCfA recently hosted the South Africa-China Young Scientist Symposium, at the CSIR International Convention Centre during which the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande, called on young scientists from both countries to use research, innovation and collaboration to advance social justice and improve lives.

Since the signing of the 1999 science and technology cooperation agreement, South Africa and China have undertaken more than 100 joint research and development projects. The partnership continues to support skills development, knowledge exchange and collaboration in areas such as biotechnology, ICT, renewable energy, mining, new materials and nanotechnology.

Minister Nzimande said young scientists have a vital role to play in finding solutions to challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, health preparedness, water scarcity, energy security and digital sovereignty. Science must serve humanity and young researchers are central to building a more just, inclusive and sustainable future.

Themed "Youth, Science, Unity for Good," the event brought together about 150 young scientists and researchers to strengthen bilateral collaboration and double joint research funding.

The event was also attended and addressed by Ambassador Wu Peng, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, CEO of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Thulani Dlamini, and President of the Academy of Science of South Africa Thokozani Majozi. More than 10 young scholars from universities and research institutions in both countries engaged in discussions under the theme "Youth, Science, Unity for Good”.

27/06/2026

The Ethics Declaration for the Human Exposome

On 17th June, the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa hosted 30 individuals to start the process of drafting an ethical framework to underpin the Human Exposome Project (HEP) at the South African Mission to the EU in Brussels, Belgium. The opportunity was also used to commemorate the life of South African, Prof. Julian Kinderlerer, former President of the European Group on Ethics (1944 - 2026).

Sponsored by the Transatlantic Think Tank for Toxicology, Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa & Department of Science,Technology and Innovation SA & supported by the International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA) & Global Exposome Forum, the event was Chaired by Thomas Hartung & moderated by Daan du Toit, Eudy Mabuza, Denis Sarigiannis, David Budtz Pedersen PhD, Caradee Wright PhD and Nathalie Moll.

The group came up with a 20-point blueprint for the ethical design, conduct, governance, interpretation & use of human exposome research at the boundary between science, society & policy.

This draft will be discussed on 17/7 at UNESCO before its December Tshwane, Pretoria release at Science Forum South Africa 2026.

A full media & public information campaign is targeted in 2027 around AAAS Chicago, World Science Forum Istanbul & WCSJ 2027 London.

The Human Exposome Project (HEP) seeks to characterise the totality of environmental exposures across the life course & to understand their biological consequences. In doing so, it provides the environmental counterpart to the revolutionary, $3 billion Human Genome Project launched in 2003, while aiming to surpass it in scope for two reasons:

Firstly, genes account for only 10 - 20% of disease, while our biological, chemical & environmental exposures accounts for 80% +. These influences from the air we breathe, the food we eat & the chemicals we touch, to the education we receive, the salary we earn & the housing we benefit from, all drive non-communicable diseases.

Secondly, the ethical legitimacy of the HEP depends on genuine global inclusion. The Human Genome Project’s widespread success largely benefitted a coalition of wealthy countries. We aim to support the goal for developing countries to benefit as much from the HEP.

The very features that make Exposomics powerful also make it ethically demanding.

If exposome science is to achieve its promise for public health, it must not only be innovative, but just; not only technically powerful, but democratically accountable; and not only global in reach, but equitable in voice, governance, & benefit.

Good exposome science must be socially legitimate, scientifically rigorous & institutionally accountable.