Promise Thapelo Malematja
Promise Malematja is an MTech student at Unisa’s School of Chemical Engineering. She holds a BTech Degree from the University of Johannesburg and has worked in the chemical engineering industry, as well as in a research environment at the CSIR.
Malematja’s research project is on the breakdown/degradation of chemical contaminants present in Fischer-Tropsch wastewater to less harmful compounds, using microorganisms and wetland plants. The Fischer-Tropsch process uses carbon monoxide and hydrogen to produce liquid fuels. During the process, wastewater containing hydrocarbons, fatty acids and alcohols is produced. Depending on the process operating conditions employed, two tonnes of wastewater may be produced for every tonne of fuel. Malematja believes that there is a need for intensive research and development in bioremediation processes as biological methods for decontamination, as there is potential for finding a substitute for physico-chemical methods that are less costly and less detrimental to the environment.
She has published an article on the reduction crystallisation of aluminium and manganese metals from wastewater using hydrazinein a peer-reviewed journal published by the International Association of Engineers. She has also co-authored the abstract “Local Development of Biological Products for Application in Waste Water Treatment”, which was accepted for a poster presentation at the 2013 South African Society of Microbiology conference.
Beyond her academic achievements, Malematja has managed a community outreach programme, which provided career exhibition workshops to grade 10 to 12 learners to help them make important career decisions, and to assist disadvantaged learners with university applications. She worked as a peer educator at the University of Johannesburg (Institution of HIV/AIDS), where she educated students on issues relating to HIV and provided life skills training.