PROF. KHATHUTSHELO NEPHAWE

Prof Khathutshelo Nephawe is a South African agricultural scientist and academic leader, currently serving as Research Professor and Head of the Department of Animal Science at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). He is the immediate past Chairperson of the Council at the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP). He holds a PhD in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska, USA, as a Fulbright Scholar and a Master’s in Business Leadership from the University of South Africa (UNISA) Graduate School of Business Leadership. 

With over two decades of experience in research, academia, and industry, Prof Nephawe previously worked at the Agricultural Research Council and the Limpopo Department of Agriculture. He is an NRF-rated Established Researcher, a registered Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.) and has published extensively in international journals while supervising postgraduate students across South African universities.  

Beyond academia, he plays a pivotal role in national science, agriculture, and education governance, serving on the SAQA Board, the NAMC Council, and the Higher Education Quality Committee (HEQC) of the Council on Higher Education (CHE). His previous leadership roles include service on the boards, councils and/or committees of SACNASP, Onderstepoort Biological Product Institute (OBP), Limpopo College of Agriculture, Potchefstroom College of Agriculture, the African Union’s Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), and the professionals in Science, Engineering and Technology (proSET) of the National Science Technology Forum (NSTF); to mention but a few.  

Through his leadership and scholarly contributions, Prof Nephawe demonstrates a steadfast commitment to advancing agriculture, science, technology, and innovation. His work places strong emphasis on enhancing education and skills development, empowering communities, fostering sustainable development, and driving national progress.