Organisation: Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
Designation: Project Manager in the Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences & Co-Chair of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS)

Dr Tozama Qwebani-Ogunleye is the Co-Chair of the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) and Project Manager in the Faculty of Applied and Computer Sciences at Vaal University of Technology (VUT). She is originally from the small Eastern Cape rural area called Redoubt in Bizana. Her mission is to integrate her passion in research, writing, teaching and leadership in order to advance organizations or institutions conducting scientific WEBINAR The Role of Traditional Medicine in Modern Healthcare Systems research which will impact positively on the socio-economic development of our societies. Her focus research area is on Traditional Medicine and Traditional Knowledge.

The main aim behind Dr Qwebani-Ogunleye’s research is to create a platform specifically purposed to rigorously evaluate traditional medicines from
a scientific point of view. By doing, she is adding to the South African knowledge economy and creating credibility for traditional medicines, with the ultimate aim to position traditional medicines in the established medicines market. To ensure credibility in the scientific fraternity and the consumer market, a multidisciplinary approach has been adopted. Stakeholders include faculty staff members who each have an area of specialization, including Chemistry, Biomedical Technology, Biotechnology, Traditional Health Practitioners, Postgraduate students and other external stakeholders.

In 2021, she was appointed by the Minister of Health to be a member of the National Department of Health expert working committee on Traditional
Medicine. She is the recipient of many accolades including the 2011 DST Women in Science Award, 2016 Mail and Guardian Top 200 Young South Africans. She was a grant holder for the NRF-SAASTA National Science week grant in 2016 at Tshwane University of Technology and 2018 at the Vaal University of Technology as well as judge for Eskom Expo for Young Scientists in 2015 and 2016. She is a recipient of the 2018 TechWomen fellowship from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs which is a platform for emerging women leaders in STEMI and the 2019 Inspiring 50 South Africa award. Last year she launched a book titled, ‘’100 Nuggets: Pearls of wisdom’.

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