Wade de Kock

Wade de Kock’s journey is from a small-town boy in Wellington to a lecturer and ocean scientist. Wade, 32, realised his calling lay in the open expanses of the marine and polar sciences. Armed with a PhD in ocean and atmospheric science from UCT, Wade’s academic brilliance is matched by his passion for inclusive scientific advancement. He completed a competitive international studentship at the Plymouth Marine Laboratory in the UK and has worked at the forefront of environmental innovation through initiatives like the South African Plastics Pact and the EU CCC SA Climate Change Champs. As engagement manager at the South African Polar Research Infrastructure, he led transformative outreach to underrepresented universities and pioneered the Mahlalela Mentorship Programme — named after his late friend and colleague Dr Precious Mahlalela — to foster a supportive network for early- career researchers. A lecturer at Cape Peninsula University of Technology,Wade mentors the next generation of marine scientists while contributing to South Africa’s polar research ambitions. For him, transformation isn’t a checkbox — it’s a mission. “My mother and Precious taught me the power of listening and giving back,” he says.

• PhD in Ocean and Atmospheric Science, University of Cape Town 
• MSc in Applied Ocean Sciences, University of Cape Town  – completed my master’s degree in 18 months and subsequently undertook a studentship with the Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO) and the Plymouth Marine Laboratory, during which I lived in the UK for about three months, conducting phytoplankton research
• BSc Honours degree in Ocean and Atmospheric Science, University of Cape Town 
• BSc degree with a double major in Marine Biology and Oceanography, University of Cape Town

• South African Plastics Pact – GreenCape (Secretariat Role) – contributed to the South African Plastics Pact, hosted by GreenCape, gaining key insights into the power of cross-sector collaboration in advancing a circular economy.
• EU CCC SA Climate Change Champs – GreenCape – participated in a climate education and capacity-building project that empowered local municipalities, schools and communities.
• Transformation Outreach Visits – SAPRI – led strategic outreach visits to underrepresented tertiary institutions across South Africa as part of SAPRI’s transformation agenda.
• The Mahlalela Mentorship Programme – SAPRI – conceptualised and launched the Mahlalela Mentorship Programme in honour of the late Dr Precious Mahlalela, SAPRI’s first LTO Oceans research coordinator.

Definitely my mother, who raised three sons while being a teacher herself, and Dr Precious Mahlalela, my peer who taught me to give back and pay it forward. Dr Precious, who passed away in 2023 due to cancer at the age of 28, taught me the value of listening and the power of giving back.