Media Statement

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – 26 August 2025 – The Higher Education Resources Services South Africa (HERS-SA) will be hosting the third annual Higher Education Women Leaders (HEWLA) Awards on Thursday, 28 August 2025. This prestigious ceremony will be held at the Lagoon Beach Hotel and Spa in Milnerton, Cape Town – with the most dynamic and charismatic Programme Director, Olwethu Nodada who’s also a talented Speaker, Entrepreneur and Heart FM Radio Host.

The awards are a highlight of the annual HERS-SA Academy – a week-long conference, which brings together leaders from across South Africa to empower women in higher education leadership. The Academy that culminates with the Award ceremony, is timed to coincide with Women’s Month and will run from 24 – 28 August 2025. The HERS-SA Awards bring together university leaders, policymakers, academics and changemakers for an evening of networking, inspiration and recognition of remarkable contributions to teaching, research, leadership and social impact.

This year’s edition of the HEWL Awards will yet again be recognising women’s excellence in eight (8) categories:

• Women in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
• Emerging Young Women Leaders (Academic) Award
• Women in Humanities & Social Sciences Award
• Women in Support Services (WISS) Award
• Women in Academic Administration Award
• Women in Student Development & Faculty Administration Award
• Trailblazer Award
• Lifetime Achiever Award
  
  The category and product sponsorship partners that are making the 2025 HERS-SA HEWLA Awards possible include: Absa, Fundi, Chill Beverages, Igugu Lentokazi Wines, Cloof Wines, CPUT, Orisons, Maroza Haircare and HGTS Tours.
  
  Dr. Soraya Beukes, chairperson of the HERS-SA Board said: “We’re proud to be honouring women leaders through these awards that celebrate ground-breaking achievements and pave the way for future generations in higher education. For us, the HER-SA Awards are more than accolades – they are a symbol of progress and a catalyst for transforming the future of higher education. We are grateful to our existing sponsorship partners and would like to invite other companies interested in becoming part of shining a spotlight on women leaders in the country. Through these annual Awards – we continue to foster a culture of recognition, inspiration and persistent pursuit of excellence.”
  
  Here are the brief biographies of the 26 Nominees and Finalists for the 2025 HERS-SA HEWL Awards.
  
  Women in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)
  Dr. Farhahna Allie – a lecturer and researcher at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), specialising in Molecular Biology, Plant-Pathogen Interactions and Biotechnology. She earned her PhD from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2013. Her research primarily focuses on host-pathogen dynamics, particularly in crops such as cassava and tomatoes infected by Gemini viruses.
  Prof. Mahloro Hope Serepa-Dlamini – a Full Professor specialising in Bacterial Genomics and Biotechnology. She is also the Head of the Department of Biotechnology and Food Technology at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). In 2017, she founded the Bacterial Genomics and Biotechnology (BGB) research group, which she currently leads.
  Dr. Atheesha Singh – an accomplished researcher, educator, and mentor specialising in Water and Health research at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Boasting over 15 years of expertise in microbiology and public health, her work concentrates on water quality, hygiene and microbial risk assessment in both natural and built environments.
  Prof. Soraya Bardian – a professor of human genetics in the Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics at Stellenbosch University (SU). She leads the Parkinson’s Disease Research Group, the only one of its kind in the African continent. Her team investigates genetic causes and underlying mechanisms of Parkinson’s disease.
  Prof. Stella Bvuma – the Director of the School of Consumer Intelligence and Information Systems at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). She’s an advocate of women’s inclusion in the information technology field.
  
  Emerging Young Women Leaders (Academic)
  Prof. Nabeela Hasrod – the Director of the Education and Clinical Standards Committee for the South African Optometric Association. She also serves as an Associate Professor in the field of Optometry at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Over the past decade, she’s actively engaged in transforming the teaching and clinical training of Optometry students, with a firm belief that education is not only a tool for individual growth but a lever for societal change.
  Ms. Sive Mbangiswano – known for her visionary leadership in entrepreneurship education, student empowerment and gender transformation. She serves as Co-ordinator of the Student Women Economic Empowerment Programme (SWEEP) at Central University of Technology (CUT). She’s led the successful establishment and rapid growth of the CUT SWEEP Chapter.
  Dr. Bongiwe Mcata – a committed academic and programme leader at the University of Mpumalanga (UMP), who has made it her life’s work to advance inclusive, transformative and socially responsive higher education in particular – within the fields of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness, where women are significantly underrepresented.
  
  Women in Humanities & Social Sciences
  Prof. Eleanor Cornelius – a professor of Applied Linguistics in the Department of Languages, Cultural Studies and Applied Linguistics (LanCSAL) at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). Her research interests include plain language, (legal) translation and interpreting.
  Prof. Pragna Rugunanan – a Professor of Sociology at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), currently serving as the Vice-Dean of Research in the Faculty of Humanities since August 2023.
  Prof. Claude-Hélène Mayer – is a Professor in Industrial and Organisational Psychology at the Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
  
  Women in Support Services (WISS)
  Ms. Natascha Hector – from the University of Cape Town (UCT) is in a specialised segment of her own, holding a MEd in Adult Learning and Global Change, Lecturing in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training division within the Early Childhood Development (ECD) vocational stream in Education, Training and Development Practices – a funded division under the auspices of the Expanded Public Works Programme.
  Ms. Tasneem Wadvalla – currently serves a dual role, as both the Head of Legal Services and the Chief of Staff to Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, the current Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits).
  Ms. Andiswa Mrasi – is a higher education professional with over 15 years of experience in the private sector and academia, including a decade at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), where she currently serves as Manager: Strategic Initiatives and Projects.
  
  Women in Academic Administration
  Prof. Tembisa Ngqondi – is an Associate Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Her research interests are in Information and Communication Technology (ICT), with a specific focus on Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) and Information Technology Governance (ITG).
  Dr. Rorisang Machailo – an academic at the School of Nursing at North-West University (NWU). She’s known for her research on mental health, particularly in psychiatric nursing for children. Her work focuses on improving quality of care for children with mental health issues by addressing gaps in resources, training and support for psychiatric nurses.
  Dr. Mukondeleli Grace Kanakana-Katumba – the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at Vaal University of Technology (VUT). She’s an accomplished academic, experienced administrator and proud engineering technologist.
  
  Women in Student Development & Faculty Administration
  Ms. Zethu Lubisi – a Planning and Governance professional responsible for formulating and executing the university’s ICT strategy, in collaboration with Wits ICT Management – ensuring alignment with institutional goals.
  Prof. Tembisa Ngqondi – an Associate Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Her research interests are in Information and Communication Technology, with a specific focus on Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) and Information Technology Governance (ITG).
  Ms. Tamara Francis – a Marketing and Communication Professional with 15 years of experience at the University of Johannesburg (UJ), where her core responsibility is managing faculty marketing, communications, brand visibility and strategic engagement.
  
  Trailblazer Award
  Prof. Karien Henrico – an experienced academic and educator with a teaching career that began in 2008. She currently serves in the Department of Emergency Medical Care at the University of Johannesburg (UJ).
  Prof. Bongani Ncube – a Full Professor at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and has over 30 years of experience in water, agriculture and the environment. She is a Chair under the South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI), established by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) in 2006.
  Prof. Noluntu Mpekoa – an Associate Professor at the Academy of Computer Science and Software Engineering at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and an NRF Y-rated researcher. She’s taught modules such as Information Security and Networking. Prof Mpekoa has a driven, robust passion for Mobile Technologies, M-Services and mobile security.
  Dr. Lee-Ann Modley – from the University of Johannesburg (UJ) specialises in Aquatic Science and Environmental Management. She teaches Environmental Management courses at both the second and third-year levels, as well as Strategic Environmental Management at the honours level.
  
  Lifetime Achiever Award
  Prof. Radmila Razlog – heads up the Department of Complementary Medicine at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg (UJ). She is a qualified healthcare practitioner specialising in complementary medicine and is dedicated to advancing education and research in the field. Her focus areas include homeopathy, acupuncture and physiotherapy – with efforts extending both within South Africa and internationally.
  Prof. Tina Uys – a Professor of Sociology at University of Johannesburg (UJ). She has served as Head of Department for over 15 years and is a certified Clinical Sociologist with the Association for Applied and Clinical Sociology.
  
  For more information on how to become a sponsorship partner, please visit the HERS-SA website: https://hers-sa.org.za