Phelisa Ntayiya, a software engineer within the Geospatial Modelling Analysis research group at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR),  has been nominated as a finalist in the prestigious 2025 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA), hosted by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI). This recognition places her among South Africa’s most inspiring and accomplished women in science and research.

The announcement comes at a particularly meaningful time, as August marks Women’s Month in South Africa, a time to celebrate the achievements, resilience and leadership of women across all sectors. The SAWiSA Awards are a cornerstone of these celebrations, spotlighting women who are breaking barriers and shaping the future of science and innovation.

In excitement, Ntayiya  said, “The time is now - like, literally now. If you’ve been waiting for a sign, this is it. The opportunity? Right here. The green light? You’re looking at it. Let's go! Shoot your shot.” The nomination is a reflection of the hard work, collaboration and passion that drives her research, and she hopes this recognition inspires more young women to see themselves in science and pursue their curiosity fearlessly.

These awards celebrate excellence by women scientists and researchers, profiling them as role models for younger generations and highlighting their contributions to advancing knowledge, innovation and societal impact. The theme for the 2025 awards, “Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science,” underscores the importance of amplifying women’s voices in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Ntiyaya’s nomination as a finalist is a testament to her dedication, innovation and leadership in her field. Her work not only contributes to scientific advancement but also inspires young women to pursue careers in STEM. This recognition reflects her commitment to excellence and shaping a more inclusive and dynamic scientific community.

The awards ceremony will take place on 21 August 2025, where winners across various categories, including ‘Distinguished Young Woman Researchers’ and ‘Distinguished Woman Researchers in Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences and Engineering,’ will be announced.

#TeamCSIR extends our heartfelt congratulations to Phelisa for this remarkable achievement. Her recognition as a finalist is a source of pride for our organisation and a powerful reminder of the impact that passionate, driven individuals can have on society.

Let us all celebrate this milestone and continue to support and uplift women in science.

Phelisa is completing her MSc in biomedical engineering at the University of Cape Town, funded by the National Research Foundation.