(MENAFN- Assaf Academy of Science of South Africa) The South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) inaugurated ten new members during the annual Awards Ceremony of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) on 29 October 2025. The new members will be inducted into the young academy at the SAYAS Annual General Meeting scheduled for 29-30 November 2025, through an onboarding session by the executive committee.

SAYAS is a dynamic organisation dedicated to promoting the role and recognition of young scientists in South Africa. Its mission is to contribute to dialogue, innovation, and science-based solutions for contemporary South African societal problems, develop scientific capacity through mentorship and role-modelling of future scientists, and foster opportunities for national and international interdisciplinary engagements among young scientists. SAYAS aims to be the voice of young scientists in South Africa and provide a platform for young scientists to influence policy decisions and create strategic initiatives and partnerships for a better tomorrow.

SAYAS members are young scientists below the age of 40, have PhDs and are deemed excellent in their fields of expertise. SAYAS members come from all disciplines including pure and applied sciences, humanities, social sciences and the arts.

The new SAYAS members are:

Dr Mwazvita Dalu (UMP) is lecturer in Environmental Sciences at the University of Mpumalanga, who is also a Research Associate with the Open University and UNISA.
Dr Mbuzeleni Hlongwa (HSRC) is a public health researcher specializing in HIV prevention and treatment. He is a Senior Research Specialist at the Human Sciences Research Council and an Honorary Lecturer in Public Health Medicine at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Dr Jairus Lamola (SASOL) is a Research Scientist in the Fischer-Tropic Science Research Group at Sasol. He holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Johannesburg and joined Sasol in 2022 through its Graduate Development Programme.

Dr Muthumuni Managa (UNISA) is a senior lecturer at the Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS) at UNISA and an emerging Y2-rated researcher with the National Research Foundation.

Prof Malesela Edward Montle (UL) is an Associate Professor of English Literature at the University of Limpopo. He holds a PhD in English Studies, along with several postgraduate qualifications in education, and is currently completing a BEd Honours in Languages, Arts, and Culture.

Dr Phila Msimang (SU) is a Senior Lecturer in Philosophy at Stellenbosch University and a member of the Azanian Philosophical Society and the International Philosophy of Biology Circle. He holds an MA from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a PhD from Macquarie University in Australia.
Dr Noreth Muller-Kluits (King’s College, London) holds a PhD in Social Work from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at Stellenbosch University (SU). She is Postdoctoral Fellow at King’s College London and has laos served a two-year post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Witwatersrand.
Dr Mutshidzi Mulondo (UFS) is an award-winning global health academic focused on mental health, health equity, and ethical health systems. She played a key role in establishing the first Division of Public Health at the University of the Free State and She holds an interdisciplinary PhD in Community Health and Health Professions Education in the UFS Faculty of Health Science.
Prof Nastassia Thandiwe Sithole (UJ) is an Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering at the University of Johannesburg. She holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering, a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education, and a leadership certificate, and is currently pursuing an MBA at the University of Suffolk (UK).

Dr Mpho Tshikororo (Univen) is the Head of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, is a multidisciplinary scholar with degrees in Agribusiness Management (BSc), Law, and agricultural Economics (MSc) and a PhD in Agricultural Economics at the University of Venda

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