As South Africa commemorates Women’s Month, the University of Venda (UNIVEN) proudly celebrates one of its trailblazing women academics, Professor Rachel Makungo, whose remarkable achievement is inspiring a new generation of women to pursue careers in science, research and innovation.
Professor Makungo is leading UNIVEN’s newly established DSTI/NRF-UUW-UNIVEN Research Chair in Water and the Environment, a prestigious initiative co-funded by the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), the National Research Foundation (NRF), and uMngeni-uThukela Water (UUW).
The Research Chair, awarded following a highly competitive and rigorous national peer-review process, marks a significant milestone for both Professor Makungo and the University. It will drive pioneering research under the theme, “Towards addressing water challenges in the water sector under changing climatic and environmental conditions,” while strengthening South Africa’s capacity in water and environmental sciences. The Research Chair focuses on climate change impacts on water availability, early warning and water quality monitoring, and the digitisation and optimisation of water treatment operations, with case studies in KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo Provinces.
Reflecting on the achievement during Women’s Month, Professor Makungo said the recognition is not only a personal milestone but also a celebration of women’s growing contributions to shaping scientific solutions for society.
“Women’s Month reminds us of the resilience, determination and limitless potential of women. For me, this achievement is about much more than securing a Research Chair; it is about demonstrating that women belong in spaces where knowledge is created, where innovation thrives, and where decisions that shape our future are made. I hope my journey inspires young women to believe that they, too, can become leaders in science and make meaningful contributions to society.”
The Tier 2 Research Chair has been awarded for an initial five-year period and is expected to become a catalyst for developing future researchers. Three master’s students, 7 PhD candidates (2 of whom are junior staff members from the Department of Earth Science), and 1 postdoctoral fellow have been recruited this year. Their training and capacity building will strengthen South Africa’s scientific capacity to address water security and environmental sustainability. Seven of the beneficiaries are women, highlighting the Research Chair’s contribution to empowering women and strengthening their participation in the scientific area of hydrology and water resources. Site visits and assessment were conducted from 13 to 16 July 2026. All students’ research proposals were approved by UUW during the presentations on 13 July 2026. The Research Chair team visited Darvill wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), Midmar water treatment works (WTW), Mpophomeni WWTP, DV Harris WTW, and UUW laboratories located within the uMngeni River Catchment in KwaZulu-Natal. The students will present their proposals to the Department of Earth Sciences on 07 August 2026.
Other key milestones include the graduation of one PhD and two Master’s students in May 2026, as well as the completion of two Water Research Commission-funded community-engaged research projects addressing water supply challenges and the climate change–water–health nexus in Vhembe District Municipality. Final reports for both projects were submitted in May and July 2026. Additional technical work on upgrading the water supply system, including drilling a community borehole and establishing a packaged water treatment plant to provide potable water in Matatani Village, is expected to be completed by August 2026.
As a Research Chair and Associate Professor of Hydrology and Water Resources in the Faculty of Science, Agriculture and Engineering, my current roles and responsibilities include leading research activities; mentoring junior academics and emerging researchers in teaching and learning, community-engaged research, proposal and paper writing, and student supervision. I also coordinate hydrological and groundwater modelling training for third- and fourth-year students within the Hydrology and Water Resources programme.
Professor Makungo believes that empowering women through education and research is one of the most effective ways to build resilient communities and sustainable solutions for future generations. Their training and capacity building will strengthen academic and leadership capacity to address South Africa’s water security and environmental sustainability challenges.
“Water is life, and the challenges we face today require diverse perspectives and innovative thinking. I encourage young women not to shy away from careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The path may not always be easy, but perseverance, hard work and self-belief can open doors you never imagined possible. Your ideas matter, your voice matters, and the world needs your contribution.”
The application for the Research Chair underwent an extensive evaluation by an Independent Review Panel comprising experts from various disciplines. Following conditional approval, Professor Makungo and the UNIVEN team successfully addressed all recommendations, resulting in the Chair’s official approval for funding.
The National Research Foundation (NRF) congratulated UNIVEN on securing the highly competitive Research Chair and acknowledged the importance of continued institutional support to ensure the Research Chair’s long-term success.
As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month under the theme of recognising women’s resilience, leadership and contribution to society, Professor Makungo’s achievement stands as a powerful reminder that women continue to break barriers, redefine excellence and lead transformative research that addresses some of the country’s most pressing challenges.
Her message to every young girl with dreams of becoming a scientist is simple yet profound:
“Never allow your background, your circumstances or the stereotypes around you to define your future. Dream boldly, work tirelessly and embrace every opportunity to learn. Every woman who succeeds creates a pathway for many others to follow. Together, we can build a future where women are not only participants in science but leaders driving innovation for generations to come.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding & Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 082 868 2218 / 082 868 1811
