Prof Lindiwe Majele Sibanda receiving the 3rd MS Swaminathan Global Leadership Award for Sustainable Development from Indian Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Hon Thiru Sakkarapaniin in Chennai, India.
NATIONAL University of Science and Technology (NUST) Council chair Professor Lindiwe Majele Sibanda has been awarded the prestigious 3rd Swaminathan Global Leadership Award for Sustainable Development in honour of her remarkable contribution to sustainable agriculture and development.
Prof Majele Sibanda received the award in Chennai, India last week. NUST director of Communication and Marketing Mr Thabani Mpofu said it is an honour for the University that is soon opening a Faculty of Agriculture Science and Technology.
The award, which is named after the visionary scientist and pioneer of India’s Green Revolution, Professor Mankombu Sambasivan (MS) Swaminathan, celebrates exceptional leadership and dedication to sustainable agricultural practices.
“Prof Majele Sibanda was recognised for her leadership, as chair of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), a global partnership that unites organisations. The recognition comes at a time when Prof Majele Sibanda is leading NUST in introducing a Faculty of Agricultural Science and Technology. Coincidentally, as she was receiving the global award, the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) was on campus physically assessing facilities for the new programmes,” said Mr Mpofu.
He said the university was introducing a Bachelor of Science (BSc) Honours Degree in Sustainable Food Production, BSc Honours Degree in Agricultural Genetics and Cell Technology, BSc Honours Degree in Agricultural Information Technology, BSc Engineering Honours Degree in Agricultural Engineering and BSc Honours Degree in Agribusiness, Economics and Management.
“On behalf of the NUST Council, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Mqhele E Dlodlo, Senate, Management, Staff, Students and Alumni, we celebrate Professor Majele Sibanda’s achievement. As NUST, we are privileged to be led by such a visionary leader who is committed to creating a hunger-free world through sustainable development,” added Mr Mpofu.
CGIAR where Prof Majele Sibanda is also chair said they were elated with her achievement.
“We take a lot of pride in being the host instituting this award in memory of Prof Swaminathan and we thank Prof Sibanda for coming all the way. The jury has made absolutely the right choice, she is carrying forward Prof Swaminathan’s legacy. There is a tremendous opportunity for the consultative group to have a huge impact. It is wonderful that somebody from a developing country in the global south and a woman is at the head of a system like this,” said the institution.
They said it was notable to have a woman who is a strong scientist who also has very practical knowledge and understands the problems of farming.
Prof Thiru Sathasivam the former Chief Justice of India and former Governer of Kerala gave a brief of Prof Majele Sibandas’s career.
“Prof Majele Sibanda is an animal scientist and a practising farmer with extensive experience serving as a policy advisor to numerous African governments and global institutions. She serves on the Nestle Board and is also the chair of the Council of the National University of Science and Technology in Zimbabwe and is an extraordinary professor at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. She served in several organisations relating to food production,” said Prof Sathasivam.
In accepting her award Prof Majele Sibanda said she was honoured to have been nominated and giving back to the community.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude, particularly to the award committee that has believed in me. I want to use this platform to reaffirm my commitment to sustainable agriculture and to carry forward the torch that has been lit by the legends. In my own country, after retirement, I felt compelled to go and give back and I do work as a chair for the council of the National University of Science and Technology,” she said.
Her influential voice was identified as instrumental in shaping international discourse on climate-smart agriculture advocating for policies that promote resilience, sustainability, and equitable outcomes for vulnerable communities impacted by climate change.
She was recognised for realising the gap between farmers, scientific knowledge and policy actions in the food systems climate change agenda.
Prof Majele Sibanda was also praised by colleagues in the agriculture field who said she was an asset to agriculture and a force to reckon with regarding ending hunger. – Sunday News