Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has congratulated renowned South African scientist, Professor Tebello Nyokong after winning the African Union (AU) Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Award.
Professor Nyokong received the award on Saturday at the ongoing AU Summit of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The AU Kwame Nkrumah Awards are given annually to African scientists who have distinguished themselves in the fields of science, technology and innovation.
Through the awards, the AU seeks to acknowledge the importance of science and technology in the development of the continent.
President Zuma said it was through investment in science and technology that African governments will nourish the potential of people and find home-grown solutions to the many socio-economic and developmental challenges facing the continent.
"The AU acknowledges that Africa's most important resources are her people. South Africa will continue to invest in the fields of science and technology, skills development and support innovation," said President Zuma.
Professor Nyokong is distinguished Professor at Rhodes 老虎机游戏_pt老虎机-平台*官网 and director of the Nanotechnology and Innovation Centre (NIC), a national science facility established by the Department of Science and Technology in 2007.
Amongst others, the NIC's work includes research and development in various scientific fields, aimed at driving South Africa's transformation from a resource-based economy towards a knowledge-based economy using nanotechnology.
Professor Nyokong is also a recipient of the National Order of Mapungubwe in Bronze, awarded in 2004 for her contributions in the field of science. – SAnews.gov.za
Picture: Tamani Chithambo
Source: http://www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/pres-zuma-congratulates-prof-nyokong