Dr Zanele Ntshidi’s Journey of Passion, Water, and Resilience

Growing up in the rural Eastern Cape, in the small village of Mtyu near Libode, Dr Zanele Ntshidi never imagined she would become a scientist, as she was primarily exposed to traditional career paths. "As kids, we only knew of medical doctors, lawyers, teachers, nurses, and police officers. I had no idea that I could become anything else," she recalls.

Her mother, a staunch believer in education, would often say, "Empower yourself with education; no one can take that away from you." These words later became a guiding force in Dr Ntshidi’s journey.

Today, she is the Research Manager at the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON) and the proud winner of the Mail & Guardian “Greening Future” award, achievements that reflect the resilience and determination that shaped her.

Her childhood in the village was defined by a daily reality that many took for granted, which is access to clean water. "We never had access to tap water. We had to walk 2.5 kilometres to the nearest river to fetch water for household consumption," she says.

Once a water carrier, now a water guardian.

Her childhood experience planted the first seeds of awareness about water scarcity and the need for sustainable solutions. But it wasn’t until she attended a career expo that her path began to take shape. Flipping through a university brochure, she came across a course titled Environmental and Water Science (EWS).

"EWS seemed like such a great course. Everything about it resonated with my background," she explains. The idea of becoming a hydrologist or an environmentalist was thrilling for Zanele. "I could see that if I take on this course, I am not limited, there’s many career paths I could follow after acquiring this degree, and that for me is freedom, I totally love it."

A proud moment marking years of hard work and determination.

A Career Defined by Passion and Purpose

After completing her undergraduate studies, Zanele pursued an Honors degree, which required conducting research and submitting a mini-thesis. During this time, she was awarded a bursary from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), which came with a requirement to complete vacation work at the institute.

"That was when I was fully immersed in water research. I met incredible researchers, and from there, I never looked back, " she reflects with passion.

As a Research Manager for the Arid Lands Node of the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), Zanele’s work focuses on water availability and quality:

"We assess the amount of water in rivers and whether it’s fit for human consumption. In Kimberley, where my Node is based, water quality issues and water shortages are common. Our research is crucial in providing evidence-based information for decision-makers."

At her desk, working with water sampling equipment to uncover insights about water quality.

Challenging Assumptions and Inspiring Change

As part of their research, Dr Ntshidi and her team compared tap water with purified water from a local water purification outlet. The results showed that the main difference was in the salt and mineral content. Surprisingly, tap water contained slightly higher levels of salts, while the purified water was almost completely stripped of minerals.

"This was quite interesting," she explains. "The human body actually needs some of these minerals, but there's debate about whether people get enough from water or if food alone is sufficient.”

This discovery is just one example of how scientific research can challenge common assumptions and encourage deeper discussions around water quality and health.

Zanele’s passion extends beyond research papers and policy briefs written from the findings. They take the findings to the public through science engagement programmes where they educate communities, raising awareness, and visiting schools through their environmental education initiatives.

“That’s my favourite part, seeing our research making an impact and inspiring young minds to care about the environment," she shares more.

Victories and Roadblocks

One of Dr Ntshidi’s proudest moments of her journey was winning the 2024 Mail & Guardian’s "Greening the Future" award in the Water and Oceans category. "Even the nomination was emotional for me. To win was a moment of validation; it reassured me that I was in the right field, doing what I was meant to do."

Holding her 2024 Mail & Guardian "Greening the Future" award, a testament to her impact in environmental sustainability.

But her journey has not been without hurdles. The most difficult period was during her PhD. She registered through a project that was coming to an end, and after her first year, the funding ran out. She was sending funding proposals everywhere, trying to keep her research afloat. At the same time, she was grieving the loss of her mother, balancing full-time work, motherhood, and her studies.

"There were moments of doubt, but I refused to give up. Eventually, funding came through from the Young Researcher Establishment Fund of the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation, and the National Research Foundation. Not only was I able to complete my research, but I also attended conferences locally and abroad."

Advancing Change Through Knowledge, Passion and Action

Dr Ntshidi’s work is more than research, it’s a call to action. She hopes to inspire others to take environmental conservation seriously:

"Climate change is real, and we all have a role to play in combating its effects on our planet. I hope people get to understand that planet Earth is our shared home, and that the actions we take today determine the status of our home tomorrow. We owe it to future generations to start playing our part now – be water stewards and reduce our use of natural resources."

Hands-on water research in action.

Beyond her research, Zanele finds deep fulfillment in engaging with learners. She says if she was not a scientist, she believes she would likely be a teacher or a motivational speaker, as she is passionate about empowering and inspiring the next generation of scientists.

Outside of her scientific pursuits, she enjoys reading, hiking, board games, and photography – activities that bring her joy and balance.

Dr Ntshidi’s advice to aspiring scientists:

"Do your research before choosing a course. Set your goals and don’t let anything get in your way. If you face failure, try again – it’s just your First Attempt In Learning. Keep going. And most importantly, never compare your journey to someone else’s. You’ve got this."

From experiencing water access challenges as a child to safeguarding water for future generations, Dr Zanele Ntshidi’s story is one of resilience, purpose, and impact.

Embracing the peaceful balance that nature offers, a reminder of the importance of environmental stewardship.

Connect with Zanele on LinkedIn and learn more about her research here.

Find out more about the South African Environmental Observation Network and the Arid Lands Node, which focuses on diverse research areas, including botany and ecology, in addition to hydrology, as well as science engagement initiatives. The node monitors long-term environmental changes across the western half of South Africa.

To explore the projects undertaken at the Arid Lands Node, visit their website here.

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