The University of the Free State (UFS) is strengthening its research capacity, with 22 researchers receiving new National Research Foundation (NRF) ratings and a further 13 improving their existing ratings. The achievements span multiple disciplines, reflecting the breadth of research expertise at the University and the work being undertaken to advance scientific knowledge, develop innovative solutions and address complex societal challenges.

The NRF rating system recognises researchers whose work has demonstrated quality and impact in their fields. Through a rigorous peer-review process, independent experts assess researchers’ contributions to knowledge and their standing among national and international peers. The NRF rating system is one of South Africa’s most important measures of research excellence, recognising researchers whose work has made a significant impact nationally and internationally. The outcomes of 17 rating applications are still pending.

Thabi Mosoetsa, NRF Grants Coordinator in the Directorate Research Development (DRD), says: “I am incredibly proud that the University of the Free State has reached 275 NRF-rated researchers, with this number expected to grow further in the coming months. This milestone reflects a journey of sustained effort, commitment and growth, not only for our researchers but also for the DRD and the institution as a whole.

“It is encouraging to see more of our researchers becoming established in their respective fields, with these numbers reflecting the growing strength and depth of our research community. This progress demonstrates our continued commitment to advancing the University’s goal of becoming a research-led institution. I am proud to be part of this journey and to contribute to the institutional efforts that make this progress possible.”

Among the UFS researchers receiving new ratings are Dr Eugene Buthelezi, an nGAP lecturer in Economics in the Department of Economics and Finance, who received a Y2 rating; Prof Johannes Belle of the Disaster Management Training and Education Centre (DiMTEC) (C1 rating); Dr Bennie Botha of the Department of Computer Science and Informatics (Y2 rating); and Dr Bashizi B Murhula, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Criminology (C3).

Prof Jacobus Marias, professor of translation studies in the Department of Linguistics and Language Practice, improved his rating from B3 to B2. Profs Brownhilder Neneh, Vice-dean of Research, Engagement and Internationalisation in the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, Anke Wilhelm from the Department of Chemistry, and Abiodun Ogundeji, Director of DiMTEC, improved their rating from Y2 to C2. Prof Muriel Meiring, Principal Scientist in the Department of Haematology and Cell Biology, improved her rating from C3 to C2.

Other academics who improved their ratings from a C2 to C1 are Profs Tomas Vetrik, Professor in the Department of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics; and Luzelle Naudé, Department of Psychology, while Prof Puseletso Mofokeng, Director: Centre for Global Change and Associate Professor and Acting Subject Head: Department of Chemistry, improved her Y2 rating to a C3 rating.

Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, says: “The latest ratings are an affirmation of the depth, quality, and growing impact of research by our colleagues at UFS. They signal a thriving culture of scholarly excellence across disciplines. As a measure of research quality, impact and peer recognition, these ratings reinforce our reputation as an expanding research ecosystem.”

Research tackling real-world challenges

For Dr Buthelezi, whose research focuses on macroeconomic policy, public debt, monetary policy, inflation and economic growth, the Y2 rating recognises his contributions to economics and motivates him to deepen the impact of his work.

“I am deeply honoured and grateful to have received a Y2 rating from the National Research Foundation. It is a humbling recognition of my research contributions over the past few years and motivates me to continue advancing knowledge in economics. I view this achievement not as a destination, but as an important milestone in a much longer academic journey. It strengthens my commitment to producing impactful research, and mentoring the next generation of economists,” he says.

According to Dr Buthelezi, the rating presents years of dedication, perseverance, and sacrifice. Research requires countless hours of reading, econometric modelling, writing, revising, and responding to peer reviewers, often alongside teaching and other academic responsibilities. “Professionally, it provides national recognition of my research contributions and encourages me to pursue greater academic aspirations. This achievement is not a destination, but an important milestone in a much longer academic journey,” he says.

Prof Belle’s C1 rating recognises his work in disaster risk management, particularly nature-based solutions to reduce disaster risks, support climate change adaptation and strengthen community resilience. He described the rating as an important milestone and an indication that his research is gaining recognition nationally and internationally.

His research focuses on disaster risk management, particularly nature-based solutions for reducing disaster risks and adapting to climate change to strengthen community resilience to increasing climate extreme risks.

Meanwhile, Dr Botha’s research explores how extended reality (XR) technologies can improve access to technology-enhanced teaching and learning in South Africa and across Africa. He says: “I feel honoured to be recognised as a rated researcher. When I found out, I was overwhelmed with joy. On a personal level, it showed me that the hard work I put into my research and advancing XR in Africa and South Africa is starting to pay off. It shows my progress from starting to now being able to say I am starting to be recognised for the contributions I make in the field of Human Computer Interaction and Extended Reality.

“On a professional level, a rating is a good indicator of where I stand, but by no means an end; it will be used to guide me towards a better rating in the future and what I need to do to expand into more international territories to improve and promote my research for a more global competitive research platforms,” he says.

For Dr Botha, the first rating is an important milestone in the developing fields of human-computer interaction and extended reality. He plans to continue improving these technologies and developing solutions suited to African contexts.

Improved ratings reflect research progression

Prof Wilhelm, who improved from Y2 to C2, describes the progression as an important step in her research career, adding that it brings a responsibility to maintain the quality of her work and continue contributing to science. “I am pleased and proud of the progress I have made, and I am grateful for the recognition. I appreciate the acknowledgement, but I also see it as a responsibility to maintain the quality of my work, continue developing as a researcher, and contributing to the advancement of science,” says Prof Wilhelm.

Her research includes the isolation of active GABAergic compounds using a larval zebrafish locomotor bioassay. She also plans to expand interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly in green extraction methods that could enable the sustainable recovery of bioactive compounds from agricultural biomass.

Improving her rating from a Y2 to a C3, represents her progression from a promising young researcher to an established researcher recognised for contributions to her field, says Prof Mofokeng.

“Obtaining an NRF rating requires sustained research productivity, quality scientific publications, contributions to knowledge, and recognition by peers in one’s field of expertise. The evaluation involves a rigorous peer-review process in which independent experts assess the quality, impact, and significance of a researcher’s work.

“It requires dedication, consistency, resilience, and a commitment to producing meaningful research. Importantly, research excellence is not achieved in isolation. Collaboration, postgraduate supervision, mentorship, and a supportive research environment all contribute to building a sustainable research career,” she says.

Research contributing to a more just society

For Dr Murhula this first C3 rating, marks a significant personal milestone in his academic journey, and it is also an acknowledgement and affirmation of his work by peers in South Africa and internationally. This affirmation strengthens his belief in the value of his research to the wider scholarly community and encourages him to continue to make meaningful contributions to the field of Criminology. His research addresses offender rehabilitation, restorative justice, gender-based violence and the decolonisation of the criminal justice system.

He says: “On a professional level, the rating strengthens my reputation as an established researcher and will create new opportunities for collaboration and international engagement with other scholars. More importantly, it reinforces my responsibility to continue producing impactful research. Furthermore, I view this rating not as my final achievement, but as a foundation for expanding my contributions to scholarship locally and internationally.”

According to Prof Reddy the achievements by the academics reinforce the UFS’ intentional leadership in building research capacity, shaped by talent development and the cultivation of all of our scholars. “The significance of the NRF ratings extend beyond the academy. The recognition of our colleagues is a confirmation that excellence translates into meaningful impact, benefiting communities, industries, policymakers, and the broader public. It is ultimately about knowledge that contributes real-world value.”

List of researchers who received new and improved NRF ratings in 2026:

Improved rating

Newly rated