Nonduduzo Adelaide Simelane and her siblings grew up helping their grandmother tend maize and bean fields in Schoemansdal, Mpumalanga, and now she is studying towards a PhD in plant science at the University of Pretoria, reflecting her perseverance, passion, and purpose.
While she has always been immersed in agriculture, her curiosity about “worms on the leaves” and an early love of set Nonduduzo Adelaide Simelane’s on a path towards a scientific career. She knew she didn’t want to stay in the fields and was determined to understand what made them thrive.
Her academic breakthrough came in 2019 when the Maize Trust Bursary Scheme funded her master’s degree studies. The support proved transformative.
“It helped me so much because I could focus on the work,” she recalls. “Without financial stress, I could grow as a scientist.”
The bursary not only provided Simelane with financial relief; it offered structure, mentorship, and opportunities to network with leaders from across the sector.
Now researching herbicide-resistant weeds for her PhD, Simelane is investigating the genomics of Amaranthus palmeri, a major agricultural challenge. Her goal is to contribute to regulatory science, ensuring new products entering the agricultural system are not only effective but also safe for people, the environment, and biodiversity.
Simelane’s story is a testament to the profound impact of the Maize Trust Bursary Scheme, which empowers young scientists to not only study agriculture but to shape its future, too.
For more information on the Maize Trust visit agrimanage.co.za.
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