Engineering Lecturer scoops prestigious NRF-Sasol YAAP grant

Lecturer and doctoral candidate Mukovhe Ratshitanga has been announced as one of the recipients of the prestigious NRF-Sasol Young Academics Accelerator Programme (YAAP) research grant.

Ratshitanga, a lecturer in the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, said being awarded the grant was a reminder that perseverance pays off and opens doors for the underrepresented.

“Personally, this award feels like a validation of my journey as an emerging researcher from a rural Limpopo background, where unreliable energy access shaped my worldview.

“Professionally, it's a game-changer: the R900 000 from NRF, doubled by the host University (1:1 to a total of R1.8 million) over three years, accelerates my path to becoming a leader in renewable energy and SmartGrid research, enabling deeper collaborations and bolder innovations while strengthening my role at CPUT.”

His project, “Community Renewable Energy Management in Restructured Power Systems”, develops scalable models for community-led solar microgrids integrated into South Africa's evolving electricity markets.

It tackles chronic issues like load shedding, energy poverty in rural to urban areas, and the inefficiencies of centralised grids by empowering communities to manage decentralised renewables, ensuring reliable, affordable power amid power sector restructuring in South Africa.

“In South Africa, where blackouts cost the economy billions annually and 10% of households lack reliable electricity, this research promotes energy equity and resilience, aligning with the Just Energy Transition. Across Africa, where 600 million people face energy access gaps, it offers blueprints for sustainable, community-owned solutions, fostering economic growth, reducing emissions, supporting Agenda 2063's vision for inclusive industrialisation, and responding to the UN’s sustainable development goals.”

He said the funding covers sabbaticals for focused analysis, national and international collaborations, and academic staff replacement.

“This grant will also double my current output and real-world experiments, while continuing to mentor students, something my prior grant-free work couldn't sustain at this scale.”

Ratshitanga aims to produce high-impact publications and train postgraduate students in energy innovation, elevating CPUT's research profile.

“In real-world terms, the project could benefit 100+ households via pilots in gated communities, influence municipal policies for decentralised energy, and create jobs in green maintenance, ultimately reducing carbon footprints and empowering communities for self-reliant futures.

Ratshitanga has loved engineering activities from a young age.

“I was driven to renewable energy and smart grids to create resilient systems that not only support urban residential areas but also the underserved areas, majority monitored and controlled at a fingertip. At CPUT, I blend my passion for sustainable and smart technologies with mentorship, inspired by industry sector mentors who championed access, hoping to pay it forward by innovating for Africa's energy future.”

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: Frederickskennediji@cput.ac.za