North-West University’s Puseletso Lesofe Receives Esteemed Mail & Guardian Award
The North-West University (NWU’s) Puseletso Lesofe, a medical biological scientist on the Potchefstroom Campus, was announced the winner in the STEMI category of the 2024 Mail & Guardian Power of Women Awards on 29 August.
This specific award celebrates the accomplishments of women making significant contributions in the fields of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and innovation (STEMI).
The Mail & Guardian Power of Women Awards is hosted annually, showcasing 50 powerful South African women who are dedicated to create a better future for the country. These women are a niche selection of change makers and industry influencers who have made a positive impact in their respective areas, including academia, agriculture, business, community engagement, healthcare, mining, media and telecommunications and sports.
These awards shine a light on role models, inspire the next generation and underscore the importance of innovation and progress.
“This accolade reflects not only on my individual efforts but also the unwavering support provided by the NWU and especially my colleagues and management,” says Puseletso.
She adds that this recognition also validates the effort of women who are often working in underrepresented and challenging fields, and provides the necessary encouragement to continue their impactful work.
“Being announced as the winner was an incredible humbling and exhilarating moment. It felt like a recognition not just of my personal efforts, but of the collective achievement of all the women and communities I have worked with. It was a reminder of the impact that dedicated work can have, and it motivated me to continue pushing the boundaries in STEMI.”
Passion for making a tangible change
Puseletso says the main reasons for pursuing a career in the STEMI fields were her curiosity and her love of solving problems.
“I have a passion for problem-solving and making a tangible impact on people’s lives through science. My journey began with an interest in microbiology, and this evolved into a broader commitment to public health and medical research.”
Puseletso worked her way up from being a laboratory assistant to becoming a licensed scientist over the years. She is also the co-founder of the African Institute of Medical Scientists (AIMS). “I worked in diagnostics, clinical trials and research. Each step has deepened my resolve to contribute to STEMI and support the next generation of scientists.”
She adds that there is a critical need to address stereotypes and biases that discourage women from pursuing STEMI careers.
“We need to address barriers at multiple levels, starting with early childhood education, creating supportive environments in academia and industry and actively promoting mentorship and sponsorship opportunities for women.”