The Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Dr Nomalungelo Gina, has called for young Africans, particularly young women, to take their rightful place in science and innovation.
Speaking at the Fondation L’Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science (FWIS) Sub-Saharan Africa Young Talents Programme, held in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Gina noted that the gathering brought together trailblazing women scientists and the next generation of African innovators.
Hosted at the African Leadership Academy (ALA) this year, and now in its 16th year in Sub-Saharan Africa, the FWIS Programme recognises 25 doctoral and five postdoctoral women scientists, celebrating excellence, resilience, and impact across diverse scientific fields annually.
Globally, the initiative has supported more than 4 700 women researchers in over 140 countries, infused with pan-African intergenerational school engagement.
“As the children of the African continent, it is you who carry the responsibility to elevate scientific work in Africa to another level,” she said.
Gina highlighted the historical barriers that have discouraged women from entering scientific fields, including harmful stereotypes that portray science as a male-dominated and inaccessible space.
However, she praised the Fondation L’Oréal-UNESCO partnership for producing measurable results in increasing the number of women pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers, noting the enduring support for South Africa’s flagship South African Women in Science Awards (SAWISA).
“Through your partnership, you have shown that you are genuine champions of the women-in-science agenda,” she said.
Turning her focus to learners, Gina urged the young women to learn science and mathematics at the school level and pursue STEM careers with confidence, reminding them that the accomplished women scientists present before them were living proof that success in science is attainable.
“Unless we deliberately push the boundaries, these realities will remain wishes. We are building an inclusive and supportive ecosystem for women to thrive in science,” she said.
Deputy Minister also urged educators to encourage learners to pursue mathematics and science subjects, cautioning against prioritising high matric pass rates over quality subject choices that secure learners’ futures.
The 2025 young talents are part of a group of 30 individuals who received the Women in Science sub-Saharan Africa Awards for their promising research excellence and remarkable scientific advice.
L’Oreal Foundation’s Executive Director, Pauline Avenel-Lam, said the young talents were essential to the major challenges of the century, to build a more just, more sustainable, and more resilient world.
“Beyond your discoveries, it is your determination, your passion, your commitments to passing knowledge that drives us,” said Avenel-Lam, also urging girls and boys equally to follow suit as the future of science was also theirs to write.
Representing all the regions of Africa, the young women shared inspiring accounts of their lives as scientists.
PhD candidate in physics at the University of Limpopo and the 2025 L’Oreal-UNESCO For Women in Science Award recipient, Keletso Monareng, told the audience how her curiosity in science was inspired by “energy poverty” in Africa.
Her research focuses on developing clean, affordable energy technologies that offer sustainable alternatives to lithium-ion batteries.
Having also been encouraged by other female scientists, she sought to inspire others as well.
“My curiosity ignited ever in me not only to just understand the world but to change it,” she said.
Attending the event were women scientists from countries as far as Nigeria, Botswana, and Ghana, and local high school learners. – SAnews.gov.za
