“Always have an attitude of gratitude and humility. Recognise where your gifts come from and use them to uplift others — because in the end, you can’t take anything with you” – Denzel Washington

Philadelphia Vutivi Ngobeni

 
 

Profile

Growing up in Bushbuckridge — where access to clean water and academic resources is scarce — Philadelphia Ngobeni, 34, dreamed of becoming a genetic engineer. Though steered toward chemical engineering, an unexpected in-service placement in the water sector changed her path — and her life. As a PhD researcher in civil engineering at the University of Cape Town, Philadelphia focuses on bioremediating wastewater from tanneries using integrated microalgal-bacterial systems. Her work contributes to the circular bioeconomy by recovering nitrogen compounds from waste. Her days consist of lab experiments, computational modelling, academic writing and mentoring. As the outreach and advocacy lead for the Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World (South Africa), and national marketing lead for the Young Water Professionals, she champions equitable water access and gender inclusion in STEM. She’s also a Black Women in Science Fellow, a Brics Young Scientist, and a 2023 Kofi Annan Foundation Changemaker and was awarded the 2024 Womandla Women in STEAM Award and the Department of Science and Innovation’s Esther Mahlangu Doctoral Fellowship.

Qualifications

  • PhD in Civil Engineering, University of Cape Town (*in progress)
  • Master of Engineering in Chemical Engineering (Cum laude), Cape Peninsula University of Technology
  • Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Chemical Engineering, Vaal University of Technology
  • National Diploma in Chemical Engineering, Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Achievements

  • 2024 South African Women in Science Awards (SAWISA) – DSI Esther Mahlangu Doctoral Fellowship
  • 2024 Womandla Women in STEAM Awards Winner – Engineering category
  • Guest feature on SABC News and Morning Live, discussing the role of women leaders in STEM
  • Outreach and Advocacy Lead (2024–2027), Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World – South Africa National Chapter
  • Marketing and Communication National Lead (2024–2026), WISA Young Water Professionals
  • 2024 Black Women in Science Fellow
  • 2023–2024 GreenMatter Fellow
  • Adjudicator (2023), Nedbank Green Economy CSI Awards
  • Scientific Programme Committee Member – 7th WISA YWP Conference (2023 and 2025)
  • 2023 Kofi Annan Foundation Changemaker
  • 2023 BRICS Young Scientist
  • Representative for South Africa, Russia–Africa III Young Scientists Congress (2023)

Mentors

I admire my late father, whose influence I have come to appreciate through the stories my mother has shared. Although he passed away when I was very young, his strong belief in the power of education laid the foundation for my commitment to learning and personal growth. I seize every opportunity, carrying the hopes of someone who never witnessed the outcome but believed in it. Each step I take is motivated by a sense of purpose and gratitude, honouring the future he envisioned for me.