The University of Mpumalanga is pleased to announce the appointment of Prof Lembe Magwaza as the South Africa–German Bilateral Research Chair in Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems (SARChI SuReFoodS). Prof Magwaza, and NRF-rated researcher, is an internationally recognised plant scientist and postharvest technology expert, strengthening UMP’s growing research profile in sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and food systems innovation.
Prof Magwaza will lead the SARChI SuReFoodS programme, which is embedded within the African-German Centre for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems and Applied Agricultural and Food Data Science (UKUDLA), funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the National Research Foundation (NRF). The UKUDLA initiative at UMP is led by Prof Ndiko Ludidi, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. The Chair positions UMP as a leading hub for interdisciplinary research addressing climate change, food security, digital agriculture, and sustainable agrifood systems.
Before joining UMP, Prof Magwaza served in research and management positions at Cranfield University UK), the Agricultural Research Council and at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
Research Leadership in Sustainable Food Systems
Prof Magwaza is widely recognised for his contributions to postharvest physiology, digital agriculture, sustainable horticulture, and resilient food systems. His research focuses on understanding plant–environment interactions and developing practical technologies that reduce postharvest losses, improve food quality, and strengthen climate resilience across agricultural value chains.
Over more than 25 years, he has pioneered the application of sensor technologies, machine learning, chemometrics, and high-throughput phenotyping tools within horticultural systems. His work has contributed to innovations in edible coatings, hydroponic nutrient systems, circular agriculture, and resource-efficient crop production, with applications in commercial farming, breeding programmes, and supply-chain optimisation.
Academic Leadership and International Collaboration
Prof Magwaza has extensive experience in curriculum transformation, research collaboration, and international capacity building. He contributed to the redesign of Agricultural Sciences curricula at UKZN and has supported the development of academic programmes and research partnerships across Africa, Europe, and Asia. His international engagements include work within the Clean Cooling Network, agricultural degree accreditation initiatives in Benin, collaborative programmes with Jiangsu University in China, and curriculum development within Cranfield University’s Food Systems and Management programme.
He has also supervised and mentored numerous postgraduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career scientists who now hold positions across academia, industry, and policy sectors.
Prof Magwaza is a Senior Fellow of Advance HE (SFHEA). He serves as Associate Editor for Frontiers in Plant Science (Crop & Product Physiology) and is an Editorial Board Member for Foods. He is affiliated with the Academy of Science of South Africa, the Southern African Society for Horticultural Science, the International Society for Horticultural Science, and the Clean Cooling Network.
“We are delighted to welcome Prof Magwaza to UMP. His international research experience, interdisciplinary expertise, and strong industry collaborations will significantly contribute to the University’s vision of advancing research excellence, innovation, and sustainable development,” said UMP Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research, Innovation and Internationalisation, Prof Aldo Stroebel.