NRF 25 years: Dr Major Mabuza

This year, the NRF is celebrating a major milestone in our history as we commemorate 25 years of Research, Innovation, Impact and Partnerships. It gives us great joy to share the accomplishments and impact of the many students and researchers we have supported during various stages of their careers. We thank all participants for submitting their stories and hope you enjoy reading about their journey with the NRF.

Dr Major Mabuza is a Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the University of Johannesburg. He currently holds an NRF Thuthuka grant and also received funding from the NRF during his postgraduate studies.

How did your journey start?

When I was in matric, I was one of the first learners to apply for tertiary education because I had already decided on my career choice and the institution I wanted to attend. I applied to study Chemical Engineering as my first option and Civil Engineering as my second option at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Pretoria Campus. At the time, it was required for all qualifying/prospective engineering students to write the Admission Test to be admitted into the mainstream programme. As challenging as it was, I managed to pass the test and got admission to the mainstream chemical engineering programme. My aim was to acquire the undergraduate national diploma qualification and venture into industry.

However, due to my exceptional academic performance during my diploma, I was added to the Dean’s list to further my studies through to DEng level. I was encouraged and motivated by the senior students, lecturers, and my parents, thus I continued with my studies up until Master’s level. Thereafter, I went to industry to work for one of the research councils (Mintek), but it did not take me long to realise that industry is not my career of choice; hence, I went back to school for full-time Doctoral (DEng) studies at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and I completed the qualification in 2021.

I worked as a part-time lecturer during my doctoral studies at TUT and taught up to four different modules during that period – it was something I extremely enjoyed. Thus, I took up a permanent lecturer position at Vaal University of Technology in 2017. This was followed by my appointment as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg.

Honestly, it took me up until I completed my Master’s degree to really start considering a career in academia. Prior to that, industry has always been my priority. However, sticking to academia is a decision that I do not regret because I find joy in my workspace – imparting knowledge to the young and upcoming chemical engineers/technologists and seeing them grow into great professionals.

How has your affiliation with the NRF impacted your studies/career?

My journey with the NRF is quite an interesting one, I can relate it to a mother-son relationship, such that the foundation has always held my hand since 2010 up to this point.

The first sponsorship I received from the NRF was for my BTech studies, which covered my tuition fees and part of my accommodation fees. Following that, the NRF funded the first year of my Master’s; thereafter, I was awarded the prestigious Mandela-Rhodes Foundation scholarship for my second year. Finally, the NRF sponsored my doctoral studies, and the funds were enough to completely cover my tuition and accommodation fees, as well as my monthly living stipend. This alleviated a lot of financial burden from my parents since I was able to live independently without their financial support.

However, my relationship with the NRF did not end there. Today, I am happy to say that my research is mainly funded through the NRF Thuthuka grant for a three-year period which is allocated from 2023 to 2025. This came at an opportune time since I had just been appointed as Senior Lecturer at the University of Johannesburg.

With the funding, so far, I have been able to formulate a research group which currently consists of three Master’s (two completing in 2024) and two PhD students. I was also able to supervise two Honours and four undergraduate students to completion for their research projects in 2023. I also use the funding operational expenses so that my laboratory may continue to function successfully.

What is your research focus on/what is your area of expertise?

My research focus is on carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), a unique research area which encompasses a group of groundbreaking technologies that enable the mitigation of carbon dioxide emissions from large point sources, including coal-fired power plants, refineries, and other industrial chemical operations.

My current research project focuses on the capture aspect of CCUS, which is based on the green synthesis and performance evaluation of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for selective post-combustion carbon dioxide capture using waste material such as spent alkaline batteries and polyethene terephthalate. The goal is to develop novel hybrid techniques to synthesise metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), MOF derivatives, and MOF composites that are stable and have a large surface area for carbon capture and conversion application. The approach to this project is mainly experimental, but also includes modelling and simulation.

Why is your work/studies important?

For a developing country such as South Africa, it is important for there to be sustainable and uninterrupted energy supply to its citizens. This will enable the continuous development and growth of the country as well as increased Gross Domestic Product (GPD). Therefore, the energy supply through the use of fossil fuels, e.g. coal, will continue to prevail in South Africa for the next few decades.

Consequently, anthropogenic CO₂ emissions will remain an environmental concern and may threaten lives and livelihoods. Thus, to avert these challenges, my research is expected to result in innovative development and commercialisation of sustainable solutions, technologies, and advanced materials in the power generation sectors, especially the coal-fired power plants, for CO₂ capture, and this will be beneficial for socio-economic development and environmental impact.

In summary, the potential impact and output of this research are as follows: (1) Environmental preservation by greenhouse gas emissions reduction; (2) Sustainable development and increased Growth of Domestic Product (GDP), including the creation of jobs and reducing or eliminating poverty; and (3) Sustainable provision of energy to all citizens.

Also, my research is aligned with the national imperatives/priorities (Energy Security, Job Creation, and Poverty Alleviation) and Sustainable Development Goals (#13 Climate Action, #14 Life Below Water, and #15 Life on Land).

What are some of your proudest academic achievements?

I have received numerous awards and grants (study/research) at different levels of my academic career. However, my proudest academic achievements include passing my BTech cum laude and thus being awarded the prestigious Mandela-Rhodes Foundation (MRF) scholarship towards my Master’s studies.

The most recent achievement is being selected to be part of the DHET Future Professors Programme (FPP) Phase 1 Cohort 3, which is aimed at fostering the leadership and academic excellence qualities in university scholarship in order to support the growth of the professoriate in South Africa in the future.

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