Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) alumna Mushayathoni Bridget Nwovhe has been awarded the DSTI Prof Keolebogile Shirley Motaung Master’s Fellowship, in recognition of her academic excellence, research potential, and contributions to science, innovation, and public engagement.
Nwovhe is among the recipients of the fellowship presented through the South African Women in Science Awards (SAWiSA), an annual Women’s Month initiative that celebrates outstanding South African women in science, technology and innovation while encouraging the next generation of women and girls to pursue careers in these fields.
Named in honour of the late Professor Keolebogile Shirley Motaung, one of South Africa’s distinguished Black women scientists and academics, the fellowship supports young women pursuing master’s and doctoral degrees. It recognises strong academic performance and research potential.
For Nwovhe, the fellowship represents another milestone in an academic journey defined by multidisciplinary scholarship, perseverance and a commitment to making an impact beyond traditional scientific disciplines.
In 2025, she achieved a rare distinction of completing two postgraduate qualifications in the same year, graduating from SMU in Haematological Pathology and from the University of South Africa (UNISA) in Microbiology.
Her research interests span microbiology, virology, haematological pathology, infectious diseases, maternal and neonatal health, antimicrobial resistance and medical research. Her work has subsequently earned recognition through the 2026 SAWiSA programme.
Nwovhe credits her time at SMU with playing a significant role in the development of her research capabilities. “I also thank the SMU Haematological Pathology Department, Professor Vanessa Moodley, and Dr Abegail Dlova. They trained me for research.”
Her academic trajectory began with strong performance at secondary school, where she completed Grade 12 as one of the top performers in her circuit. That foundation developed into a sustained pursuit of academic excellence and intellectual growth.
Her interests have also extended beyond the health sciences. In 2020, Nwovhe was selected by Masterstart, a collaborative online platform for executives and business professionals, as one of the young people whose leadership values reflected the legacy of former President Nelson Mandela. Through a programme funded by the Clicks Group, she completed a postgraduate course in Artificial Intelligence at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), adding technology and innovation to her multidisciplinary portfolio.
Her commitment to international engagement has similarly broadened her perspective. In 2025, she attended a United Nations conference in Thailand, where she was appointed Global Ambassador of Peace. She also participated as a delegate at the Future Action Summit in Malaysia, engaging with issues linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Nwovhe’s achievements extend into the literary sphere. She is an author and poet who has written five books and co-authored Tapping into Poetry. Her work has appeared in the Sol Plaatje European Union Poetry Anthologies and on various literary platforms, exploring themes including identity, memory, healing, imagination, culture and the human experience.
The fellowship adds to an already distinguished record of recognition. In 2025, Nwovhe was named Sunday World Heroic Woman of the Year in Science, Technology and Innovation, following her receipt of the Sunday World Unsung Hero Award in 2023. Her earlier achievements include the South African Shining Star Award and participation in the Black Women in Sciences Fellowship Programme.
Her progression from an SMU postgraduate student to a multidisciplinary scientist, researcher, author and award recipient reflects the possibilities that emerge when academic excellence is combined with curiosity, innovation and a commitment to broader societal impact.
For SMU, Nwovhe’s achievement also reflects the University’s role in developing health professionals and researchers equipped to contribute meaningfully to science, innovation, and society.
The DSTI Prof Keolebogile Shirley Motaung Master’s Fellowship, therefore, represents more than just another accolade in Nwovhe’s growing portfolio. It marks the continued advancement of a researcher whose work crosses disciplinary boundaries and demonstrates that excellence in science can extend into leadership, literature, public engagement and community impact.
By Tumelo Moila
