Dr Azile Nqombolo, a Chemistry lecturer in the Department of Chemical and Earth Sciences at the University of Fort Hare (UFH), who is also a three-time graduate of the institution, has been recognised with a 2025 National Research Foundation (NRF) Excellence Award for her outstanding contributions as an emerging researcher in chemistry.
The prestigious NRF Awards, held annually, celebrate individuals and teams whose work has significantly advanced scientific knowledge for the benefit of society. This year’s ceremony took place on 7 August 2025 at the NH Johannesburg Sandton Hotel (formerly Hilton Sandton) under the theme: “Innovating for a Sustainable Future.”
The Early Career/Emerging Researchers Award honours NRF grant holders who have demonstrated exceptional excellence in their respective fields.
Born in the Flagstaff area of the Eastern Cape, Dr Nqombolo’s research spans Analytical Chemistry, with a focus on water quality monitoring, material science, and membranes. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Chemistry, a BSc Honours in Chemistry, and a Master of Science in Chemistry from UFH. She completed her PhD in Chemistry at the University of Johannesburg, where her research achievements earned her the Excellent Shotgun Communication Prize in Caparica, Portugal, and first prize for PhD oral presentations at the UJ-Eskom workshop, among other accolades.
Dr Nqombolo’s work has led to numerous publications in reputable international journals and aligns closely with national and global priorities, including addressing South Africa’s water scarcity challenges and contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6: “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.”
On the international stage, she has served as a guest editor for a Frontiers in Chemical Engineering collection on sustainable adsorbents and photosensitisers for water treatment and is a reviewer for journals including the Arabian Journal of Chemistry, Chemistry Africa, MDPI’s Water, Polymers, and Processes, SACI, and STOTEN.
Dr Nqombolo has forged strong research collaborations among UFH, the University of Johannesburg, and the Agricultural Research Council through joint funding applications and student supervision. She supervises honours, master’s, and doctoral students across both institutions and plans to expand her research collaborations and funding opportunities locally and internationally to further advance Environmental and Analytical Chemistry.
“This is a huge recognition for me. I believe this will motivate me to become an internationally recognised researcher in water science,” Dr Nqombolo said. “I am grateful to my postgraduate students, collaborators, colleagues, GMRDC, family, and friends for their support. This award confirms that through collaboration, we can achieve a lot, let us continue working together.”
Source: Department of Chemical and Earth Sciences