Researcher bags recognition from national foundation
Dr Zamantungwa Mnisi is among the scientists who traced the source of the listeriosis outbreak in 2017 and also played a significant role in sequencing Covid-19 variants in 2021.
A University of Pretoria (UP) lecturer has been recognised for her impact on in-work concerning public health.
The pioneer was among scientists who traced the source of the listeriosis outbreak in 2017 and has earned a National Research Foundation (NRF) Y2 rating.
Dr Zamantungwa Mnisi further played a significant role in sequencing Covid-19 variants in 2021.
The doctor has been at the forefront of understanding major bacterial and viral outbreaks in South Africa.
Her fascination with parasitology; inspired by a Grade 11 biology lesson on the life cycle of a tapeworm and subsequent research prowess has earned her an NRF Y2 rating.
The rating was recognition of her contribution in her field of study, her high-quality research outputs and her evaluation by local and international peers.
Mnisi holds a PhD in Veterinary Tropical Diseases from UP.
“This serves as a round of applause and affirmation that I am doing well, and is a reminder that I should never doubt my ability to conceptualise a study and see it through to completion,” said Dr Mnisi.
Mnisi said it was her tenacity and dedication as a student that laid a solid foundation for her academic success.
“During my time at the University of the Free State, I used to study late into the night,” Dr Mnisi recalled.
She said she was determined to be among the top-performing students, which meant pushing herself harder and studying until she could recite each page from memory with her eyes closed.
“This drive was fuelled by my earlier experience at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where I failed mathematics and was excluded from the science programme. When the opportunity to restart at the University of the Free State arose, I seized it and committed fully to my studies. This was a lifetime wake-up call.”
She is also employed as a senior researcher at the University of Limpopo in the Department of Biodiversity.
“I recently gave a talk titled ‘Tick Talk’, which focused on ticks and the diseases they transmit to livestock and humans,” Dr Mnisi said.
She said the importance of her work lies in providing preventative measures against ticks and their infections.
“Recently, I have become interested in studying how climate change affects the distribution patterns of ticks. When livestock are affected by ticks and tick-borne diseases, it threatens food security and hampers our ability to participate in global trade. In addition, there are zoonotic implications, as ticks transmit pathogens that cause diseases in humans.”
She ensures that her academic work and research findings aren’t confined to academic journals and laboratories, and is intentional about ensuring that they reach and enrich broader society.
“I’m passionate about communicating results, as science communication is crucial.
In research, no one succeeds alone, just as no cow grazes alone, collaboration and mutual respect are essential. All people are important in life; respecting them and working efficiently with them is crucial.”
Mnisi said she bases her research on the One Health concept.
“This is a collaborative, multi-sectoral and transdisciplinary approach that emphasises the need for collaboration, as life requires solutions that break down silos and considers broader perspectives. By working together across disciplines, we can develop comprehensive solutions that benefit human, environment and animal health,” she concluded.
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