After being selected to the South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS) earlier this year, Dr Mutshidzi Mulondo, an academic in the Division of Public Health at the University of the Free State (UFS), is ending the year on a high after being awarded the Young Science Diplomat Award.

Dr Mulondo was one of two recipients who was awarded this prize on Friday 28 November at the Science Forum South Africa 2025 (SFSA) – co-hosted by the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Science Diplomacy Capital for Africa (SDCfA) initiative. The SDCfA promotes science collaboration across Africa and beyond towards leveraging and connecting technology innovation with humanity. Collaboration that embeds a culture of learning – underpinned by sound governance.

"From SAYAS to the Global Young Academy, and now the Young Science Diplomat Award, Dr Mulondo is redefining what it means to be a scholar with global influence,” says Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies of the UFS.

Dr Bonita de Swardt, Programme Manager: Strategic Partnerships for Human Capital Development at National Research Foundation’s South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO), was the other winner in this category. The annual Science Diplomacy Awards honour individuals and institutions that serve as inspiration for science diplomacy in South Africa, Africa and globally. 

Prof Reddy remarks: “Dr Mulondo’s recognition at the Science Forum South Africa underscores the power of research to shape policy and innovation. Proud to see UFS leading in science diplomacy!”

In October, Dr Mulondo, whose research focuses on mental health, particularly the implementation of digital strategies for public mental health, was selected to SAYAS as one of the top young scholars recognised for engaged scholarship and scientific contribution. SAYAS provides early-career researchers with a platform to influence science, policy and innovation across South Africa and the continent. She also recently made history as the first academic from the UFS to be inaugurated to the prestigious Global Young Academy – a network institution of the United Nations Scientific Advisory Board.

At the Global Health Summit in London, the UK last year, Dr Mulondo also received the Zenith Global Health Award under the category ‘Mental Health and Well-being’."Science diplomacy is about connecting knowledge with humanity. Dr Mulondo’s achievement reflects UFS’s commitment to research that matters locally and globally. Her work serves as an inspiration for a new generation of scholars,” Prof Reddy observed.