Dr Vhahangwele Masindi (Pr. Sci. Nat.) made it to the finalist of the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF). He is the finalist in the following categories: TW Kambule-NSTF Awards: Emerging Researchers, NSTF-Water Research Commission (WRC) Award, and Innovation Awards: Corporate Organization. The 21st annual Awards Gala Dinner is scheduled for 27 June 2019 in Gauteng.
He studied his Bachelor degree in Environmental Management, MSc in Environmental Management, and a PhD in Environmental Sciences at the University of Venda.
He is currently working as a Research Scientist for Magalies Water (MW), Part-time lecturer at University of Venda (UNIVEN), Research fellow at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Previously, he was working as a Principal Researcher for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). His project on valorization of acid mine drainage (AMD) via the reclamation of drinking water and the synthesis of valuable minerals such as goethite, hematite, magnetite, gypsum and limestone led to his nomination as a finalist. This project culminated to numerous papers in prestigious, reputable, DHET accredited, and high impact factor journals such as Desalination, Cleaner Production, Environmental Chemical Engineering, and Water Industry and Resource amongst others. Dr Masindi said “this is a futuristic approach toward a circular economy phenomena and the beneficiation of waste minerals to offset environmental footprints”. Furthermore,
he highlighted that this technology will reclaim drinking water that meets the SANS 241 specification and endeavors to curtail the challenges of water crisis. To give an approximate estimate, this technology can reclaim 20000 LPD of drinking water from AMD. Government departments, entities, mines and other private institutions perceive this groundbreaking innovation as a future towards availing drinking water that is suitable for human consumption and other living organisms. This technology was co-patented by CSIR/UNIVEN in the United States, Australia and other countries via PCT patents.
The University of Venda would like to congratulate Dr Masindi in this outstanding achievement. This is a graduate who was utterly groomed by UNIVEN system.
Nominees’ link: http://www.nstf.org.za/awards/nominees/current-nominees/
Finalist link: http://www.nstf.org.za/awards/finalists/current/
Issued by:
Department of Communications & Marketing
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525
Date: 24 May 2019
