When Tlhonolofatso Tebele reflects on the ocean, his words reveal reverence and a deep understanding of its significance for life on Earth. “The ocean moves, breathes, and interacts with the atmosphere,” he notes with thoughtfulness. “Even the smallest changes in its temperature ripple through ecosystems, weather, fish populations and people’s lives.”

For Justice Lebotsa, who grew up in a farming household, witnessing the painful cycle of post-harvest waste firsthand was something he simply could not ignore. To him, it was more than wasted produce; he saw untapped potential, a chance to turn loss into lasting relief and sustainable livelihoods for farmers like his own family.

Dr Kai-Sikhakhane's recent PhD research focused on nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) concentrations in the Highveld region, around Wakkerstroom in the Mpumalanga province. Her mission was to understand how much NO₂ is in the air, where it comes from, and generate data that others can use to explore what this means for the health of people and the environment they depend on.