News
Featured scientist: Dr Vivien Visaya
25 September, 2025
‘My research focuses on the analysis of time series data – data that reflects real-world phenomena observed over time. Beyond traditional statistical modelling and forecasting methods, I am interested in dynamical systems, particularly in how complex systems evolve and exhibit chaotic behaviour. Currently I am exploring Topological Data Analysis (TDA), which employs tools from algebraic topology and geometry to extract shape-based features from data, providing additional insights beyond classical analysis techniques.’
Associate writes book for postgrads
25 September, 2025
NITheCS Associate Dr Farai Mlambo of the University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) has authored a new book that speaks directly to the heart of the postgraduate experience.
NITheCS at National Science Week 2025
24 September, 2025
NITheCS once again participated in the official launch of National Science Week, which was held at the Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria West on 2 August 2025. Under the theme ‘Science, Technology, and Innovation are for everyone’, the event brought together learners, educators, researchers and science enthusiasts from across the country.
New era for African science
24 September, 2025
A new generation of scientific collaboration is dawning in Africa. The continent’s scientific community is setting an ambitious course, pooling its expertise and consolidating its capacity to tackle global challenges in physics, mathematics and data-driven research.
Our staff – helping to make it happen
08 September, 2025
Behind every good organisation are special people who help make it happen. We spoke briefly to two of them:
Featured scientist: Prof Rebecca Garland
25 August, 2025
‘I work on better understanding atmospheric composition and air quality, specifically in southern Africa. Air pollution levels in South Africa often exceed the thresholds set by the national government – and high levels of pollution negatively impact human health and the environment. In South Africa, we have a mix of strong sources from human activities, many of which are from the combustion of fossil fuels (e.g., electricity generation, vehicles, and industrial activity), as well as strong natural sources of pollution (such as veldfires). In working towards improving air quality, our work focuses on understanding the drivers and impacts of pollution, as well as assessing the impacts of policies on pollution levels on a regional to urban scale,’ says Professor Rebecca M Garland of the Department of Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology at the University of Pretoria (UP) and NITheCS Branch head at UP.
NWU workshop for matric learners
20 August, 2025
Twenty matric learners from Ventersdorp visited the North-West University (NWU) Potchefstroom Campus from 16 to 18 July 2025 to attend a matric exam preparation workshop. ‘Despite some chilly mornings, we were met by excited young minds, ready to learn and explore!’ says Prof Christo Venter, who hosted the initiative.
Associate awarded NSTF-South32 Award
05 August, 2025
We warmly congratulate NITheCS Associate Prof Yin-Zhe Ma, Full Professor and Head of the Astrophysics Group, as well as the Stellenbosch–Groningen Joint Research Chair at Stellenbosch University, on receiving the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Researcher. This award recognises his groundbreaking research into understanding the large-scale structure of the Universe.
New Generation of Quantum Scientists
25 July, 2025
This July, Stellenbosch University hosted some of the interns who participated in the NITheCS Winter Internship Programme 2025. Ten talented Honours students from across South Africa were welcomed to participate in a unique and intensive project titled “Introduction to Quantum Computing.”
