Edition November 2024

Despite his numerous achievements, a trailblazing biochemist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is still determined to continue working hard and explore new avenues in the field of science.

In fact, Zama Duma’s determination is such that he has set specific targets that he is actively working to achieve.

At just 30 years old, the research scientist at the CSIR is already earning plaudits from not just his employer but also from the general public.

Public Sector Manager magazine recently interviewed the soft-spoken scientist, who elaborated on his entry to the world of science.

“It was passion, more than anything, that led me to the science field... I am from the township. We did not have exposure to all these careers but we were later afforded opportunities in school when we would attend things like open days at universities,” he reminisced.

Being a bright pupil gave him a distinct advantage in gaining recognition. In 2012, while in Grade 11, Duma received a scholarship from the mining group, Impala Platinum. It enabled him to attend specialised private extra lessons in mathematics and physical sciences. The collaboration between the mining giant and Star College allowed three top-performing learners from selected schools to attend the private Saturday school classes at the institution.

“I did that from Grade 11... it included boot camps, preliminary exam preparations, exams... etcetera,” he explained.

While his initial goal of becoming a dentist was unsuccessful after he was not accepted at a medical school, he quickly embraced biochemistry, his second option.

“Fortunately, I was able to fulfill the dream of becoming a biochemist. I followed this path because I had always been intrigued by science and how you can take it from a textbook to the real world,” he added.

His undergraduate studies were financed by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme while his postgraduate studies were funded by a bursary from Sasol. He holds various degrees, including a Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science (Honours) and Master’s in Chemistry from the University of the Witwatersrand. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering at the University of Cape Town.

His career commenced with an internship at Sasol the integrated energy and chemical company, which was part of his bursary funding requirements.

Contributing to a cleaner environment

“It was while I was at Sasol that I realised that my passion is to work on sustainable technology. I do not want to work on technology that pollutes the environment,” he said.

It was at the point that he resigned to pursue a master’s project, focusing on green technology and hydrogen in South Africa at the CSIR in 2020. Two years later, he joined the organisation on a permanent basis.

His work at the institution is focused mainly on catalysis and materials science in which he converts carbon dioxide to green methanol and other useful products such as feedstocks for the petrochemicals sector.

“These are materials, or even compounds, that are used to accelerate the reactions. Most chemical processes lower the activation energy and make the reaction to progress easier. This would involve things like how the Sasol Secunda facility operates... as the largest source of carbon dioxide emission in the world, it uses a lot of catalytic processes. These are convention technologies that take place in the presence of a catalyst. That would include things like the reaction of most gases to make things like green methanol,” he emphasised.

Recognition

Reflecting on his journey and the accolades he has received, he considers his election as an executive committee member in the Catalysis Society of South Africa to be the pinnacle of his career. The organisation promotes the advancement of catalysis amongst academia and the chemical industry in the country.

In 2022, he was honoured as the best master’s student in the CSIR’s chemicals cluster. In June 2024, he was featured in the Mail & Guardian’s 2024 Young 200 list. Duma’s meteoric rise has caught the attention of many, leading the young scientist to turn down lucrative job offers from as far afield as France.

“The CSIR tried their hardest to keep me here. To be an executive at the age of 28 takes its toll on you. Firstly, because you do not really have a firm grasp of what is really going on until at least year two. I have had to adjust and realise all the expectations and just the magnitude of how serious that was. Most of the people I serve with on the executive committee are professors in their mid-40s to 50s,” he said, adding that the plaudits were proof that all his work was not in vain.

Crystal-gazing about his future, Duma expressed his aspirations to pursue entrepreneurship or take on a prominent role in either a private or public sector institution.

He highlighted an upcoming initiative involving a non-governmental organisation focused on raising HIV awareness in indigenous languages, particularly in remote rural areas. Duma also highlighted his ambition to contribute even more significantly to the country in the future through this and similar initiatives. ❖