Dr. Boitumelo Ramatsetse Receives NRF Research Excellence Award for Early Career/Emerging Researchers
Sun City Resort, North West Province – The 2024 National Research Foundation (NRF) Awards celebrated the achievements of South Africa’s most outstanding researchers and scientists at a prestigious ceremony held on the 22nd of August, 2024. Under the theme “Celebrating 25 Years of Research, Innovation, Impact, and Partnerships,” the event commemorated the NRF’s quarter-century legacy of fostering scientific excellence since its inception in 1999.
Among the distinguished awardees was Dr. Boitumelo Ramatsetse, from the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering at Stellenbosch University, who was honored with the Research Excellence Award for Early Career/Emerging Researchers. This accolade recognizes individuals whose innovative contributions have significantly advanced science and technology for societal benefit. Dr. Ramatsetse’s work stands out not only for its quality and impact but also for its potential to propel future advancements in his field.
In his opening remarks, Professor Mosa Moshabela, Chairperson of the NRF Board, praised the exceptional achievements of the 2024 awardees. “This is the pride of our nation, the epitome of excellence. We pride ourselves in you,” he stated. The awards coincided with the NRF’s 25th anniversary, highlighting the organization’s pivotal role in promoting impactful research and fostering national and international collaborations.
Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Nomalungelo Gina, also commended the award recipients, including Dr. Ramatsetse, for their contributions to the nation’s knowledge base. “We are proud of each of you and thank you for your sterling contributions to the country’s science and innovation system,” she remarked. The Deputy Minister highlighted the NRF’s ongoing efforts to transform South Africa’s science system into one that is more inclusive and representative.
Dr. Boitumelo Ramatsetse’s recognition at this esteemed event underscores his dedication to advancing mechanical and mechatronic engineering. A researcher with a focus on reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMS), Dr. Ramatsetse develops modular, adaptable technological solutions for the mining and machine manufacturing industries. He obtained a BTech in Mechanical Engineering from Tshwane University of Technology, where he also completed his Master’s and PhD. Currently, he serves as a lecturer at Stellenbosch University and is the youngest member of the South African Government’s National Planning Commission, chairing its Strategy Task Team.
Dr. Ramatsetse has successfully filed three patents in South Africa and China and has published more than 30 articles in peer-reviewed journals and contributed nine book chapters over the past eight years. His impressive list of accolades includes winning the Intellectual Property Competition in 2020, the SASOL SAE Baja Competition, and the NSTF-South32 TW Kambule Award for Emerging Researcher. Additionally, he was named one of the Mail & Guardian’s 200 Most Influential Young South Africans. To date, he has supervised four Bachelor, nine Honours, eight Master’s, and one PhD student to completion.
The NRF Awards, presented across two main categories – ratings-based awards and special awards – continue to encourage a culture of excellence within the scientific community. As Dr. Ramatsetse and his peers push the boundaries of knowledge, they inspire future generations to engage in impactful, innovative research for the betterment of humanity.
