News and Events > News > 2021/2022 NSTF-SOUTH32 AWARDS
University
01 August 2022

2021/2022 NSTF-SOUTH32 AWARDS

Dr Dalu has been recognised for his research and contribution towards achieving sustainable water management, knowledge generation and solutions with demonstrated leadership and impact in two categories: TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher and the NSTF-Water Research Commission.

“I was very honoured and humbled to have been nominated amongst some of South Africa’s most brilliant minds within the water science research field. It was more so an incredible privilege to have been an ambassador and testament of the incredible vision and leadership of UMP, which promotes high quality research across academics at the university. 

“I was especially honoured, inspired and encouraged by the incredible support from our Vice Chancellor, Professor Thoko Mayekiso, our Dean in the FANS, Professor Moses Mbewe, Head of School in the SBES, Professor Simphiwe Mini, and from colleagues in the School and University management. I wish to express my indebtedness to their unwavering support.”

Dr Dalu’s latest work include is a book: Emerging Freshwater Pollutants: Analysis, Fate and Regulations, which he edited with Nikita T. Tavengwa from the University of Venda.

The book, which examines the emerging water pollutants and human safety, finds its relevance as the country is grappling with an imminent crisis freshwater crisis, evidenced in threats of ‘day zeros’ across some of South Africa’s metropolitans.

“I am particularly interested in how ecological systems respond to an environmental disturbance caused by anthropogenic impacts, climate change and invasive species,” he says.

UMPDr Tatenda Dalu with UMP Vice-chancellor, Professor Thoko Mayekiso.

“Working with fellow ecologists, resource managers and policy makers often stimulates new directions for my research. I have working experience in field and laboratory-based research particularly in fields related to environmental issues within the aquatic ecology systems realm.”

Dr Dalu is also an Iso Lomso Fellow: Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, Stellenbosch University (SU); Honorary Research Associate: South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB); and Young Affiliate: The World Academy of Science, (TWAS, Italy).

The University of Mpumalanga congratulates and is proud of Dr Dalu’s research achievements in pursuit of our Vision of being an African University leading in creating opportunities for sustainable development through innovation.

As a fairly new university, UMP has identified research focus areas that are linked to one or more Millennium Development Goals and are of relevance to the Mpumalanga province, South Africa, and the African continent.

The university has eight NRF rated researchers with two C1, three C2, two C3, and one Y2 categories. The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Thoko Mayekiso is leading by example as she is a C3 rated researcher.


@ Story by Lisa Thabethe. Pictures supplied.