Full Name: Zamanzima Mazibuko
Position: Researcher: Knowledge Economy and Scientific Advancement faculty of the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (MISTRA)
Main Activity of the Organisation: Conducting research that takes a long-term view on the strategic challenges facing South Africa. MISTRA’s research targets decision-makers in government, civil society, academia and business, with a focus on the knowledge economy and scientific advancement, as well as political economy and the humanities
Date and Place of Birth: June 8, 1988, Soweto
Education: University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) – MSc (Med) in pharmaceutics; BSc (Hons) in pharmacology; BSc in biochemistry and cell biology
First Job: Research intern at the Development and Fundraising Office at Wits
Size of First Pay Packet: About R3 000 a month
Number of People under Your Leadership: No one is under me – I work with an incredible research team
Management Style: Collaborative
Personal Best Achievement: Graduating with a master's degree cum laude
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother, Ntombi Mazibuko, and my late father, Jabulani Mazibuko
Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Dr Velaphi Msimang
Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: She is not really a businessperson, but Professor Tebello Nyokong’s journey and success in advancing science and technology have impressed me
Philosophy of Life: Be kind, do what makes you happy, drink plenty of water, work hard, play hard, and leave a legacy
Biggest Ever Opportunity: Receiving a Carnegie Scholarship (Bale Scholarship for Black Women in Science and Engineering) to study at Wits. It subsequently led to the various opportunities, both personal and professional, that have landed me where I am today
Biggest Ever Disappointment: Realising that the world will be dealing with inequality, racism, sexism, homophobia, and so on, for years to come because not everyone is interested in dismantling his or her privileges
Hope for the Future: That black women will no longer be at the bottom of the food chain
Favourite Reading: African literature and current news
Favourite TV Programme: I watch a number of series; Grey’s Anatomy is one of them
Favourite Food/Drink: Seafood and dessert and I drink quite a lot of water
Favourite Music: House, hip hop, RnB and pop, depending on my mood
Favourite Sport: Cricket and soccer
Hobbies: Reading, boxercise, travelling, finding ways of taking care of my hair
Car: Toyota
Pets: None
Miscellaneous Dislikes: Bigotry
Married: Not married
Children: None
Clubs/Organisation Membership: Golden Key International Honour Society