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The South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) is a highly competitive, flagship programme of the National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI). At the Central University of Technology, hosting these prestigious chairs is a testament to our institutional capacity for groundbreaking research. It signifies that our academic output and innovative capabilities have been rigorously evaluated and recognised at the highest national level.
Complementing our national research mandates are our sector impact - Research Leadership Chair(s), which are forged through strategic partnerships with key industry bodies, such as the Wholesale and Retail SETA (W&RSETA). These roles ensure that our academic rigour is directly translated into practical, scalable solutions. By bridging the gap between the university and the industry, these chairs address pressing socio-economic challenges, from food security in the informal sector to sustainable energy systems and advanced manufacturing.
Collectively, the SARChI and Research Leadership Chairs at CUT serve as powerful catalysts for human capital development, intellectual property generation, and high-impact knowledge production. By leading multidisciplinary teams and fostering robust collaborations, our Chairholders are not only elevating CUT’s global research profile but are also actively driving the national innovation agenda and shaping a sustainable, technologically advanced future for South Africa.
NRF SARChI Research Chair
Medical Product Development through Additive Manufacturing
Prof. Deon de Beer’s distinguished career, which began at NECSA in 1979, has evolved into a well-balanced and highly impactful 35-year tenure in higher education. His expertise spans teaching, industrial research and development, academic management, institutional research development, innovation, commercialisation, and technology transfer. Recognised as an NRF C-rated researcher and a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAF), Prof. de Beer has consistently bridged the gap between academic inquiry and real-world industrial application.
A definitive turning point in his career occurred during a 1995 sabbatical dedicated to Additive Manufacturing (AM) research at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). This pivotal project not only laid the foundational groundwork for the Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing (CRPM), the Product Development Technology Station (PDTS), and the FabLab at CUT, but it also ignited a series of government-funded initiatives designed to advance AM capabilities across South Africa. His work has been instrumental in facilitating crucial knowledge transfer to local universities and industries, fostering the sustained growth of the AM sector nationwide.
Prof. de Beer’s strategic leadership extends to the highest levels of national policy. He played a key role in developing the South African Additive Manufacturing Roadmap and the final Additive Manufacturing Strategy for the National Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), including its implementation vehicle, the Collaborative Programme on Additive Manufacturing (CPAM). Within CPAM, he successfully initiated and championed critical sub-programmes focused on the additive manufacturing of Platinum Group Metals (PGMs) and broader industry applications, securing vital DSI funding for these transformative initiatives.
Beyond national strategy, Prof. de Beer has been a driving force in regional economic and scientific development. At the Vaal University of Technology (VUT), he initiated the Advanced Manufacturing Precinct and the Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park through a Rapid Appraisal of Local Innovation Systems (RALIS) approach. Later, at North-West University (NWU), he expanded AM activities into engineering, biomaterials, and occupational health. He notably led the NWU team that initiated the Innovation Highway™, a regional development initiative that led to the establishment of PLATFORUM™ and the 3D Printing Institute (3DPI). The latter is currently supported by a EUREKA grant for the development of a Ceramics and Metal Multi-Material medical implant (CMMMed) within CRPM.
Recently, Prof. de Beer and CUT achieved a monumental milestone with the upgrade of his NRF SARChI Chair to Tier 1 status. This highly competitive recognition reflects the NRF’s ongoing support for CUT’s exceptional research output and groundbreaking innovations in medical product development through 3D printing technology. As noted by university leadership, this advancement secures a higher funding level aimed at enhancing effective research strategies, solidifying CUT’s position as a national leader in this field and amplifying its impact on both academia and the broader community.
Looking ahead, Prof. de Beer is driven by a clear vision for the next five years: to utilise this Tier 1 status to create new AM platforms, enhance research and innovation capabilities, and establish robust career pathways and internships for postgraduate students. Underpinning all his achievements is a profound personal philosophy of mentorship. Firmly believing that excellence is achieved by "standing on the shoulders of giants"—a principle instilled in him by his late DTech supervisor, Dr Neville Comins, Prof. de Beer views his most important task as offering his own shoulders to support new generations of researchers, enabling them to see further and think beyond.
NRF SARChI Research Chair
Smart and Sustainable Energy Systems
Prof. Kanzumba Kusakana is a globally recognised authority in electrical engineering, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence. Inaugurated as a full professor in 2022, he holds an impressive academic portfolio, including a BSc in Electromechanical Engineering, an MTech in Electrical Power Engineering, an MBA in Energy Management, and a DTech in Electrical Engineering. A registered Professional Engineer with ECSA and a Senior Member of the SAIEE, Prof. Kusakana has firmly established himself among the top-cited scientists globally, ranking within the top 300 researchers in South Africa with an impressive h-index and over 2,100 citations.
At the core of his research is the development of intelligent, resilient, and sustainable energy systems. During his Professorial Inaugural Lecture, Prof. Kusakana introduced his innovative "POET" approach for the optimal energy management of hybrid multisource energy systems. This framework rigorously evaluates Performance, Operations, Equipment, and Technology efficiency, providing a powerful mathematical modelling and simulation tool to minimise operational costs while maximising the utilisation of renewable energy resources.
This theoretical framework is actively applied across four major research projects. These include the optimal operation control of hybrid renewable energy systems, the integration of hydro pump storage for energy retention, the optimisation of energy usage in water heating, cooling, and air conditioning systems, and the development of optimal peer-to-peer energy sharing models. The latter project is particularly groundbreaking, enabling prosumers to sell excess solar power directly to their neighbours, thereby democratising energy access and reducing reliance on the central grid.
Prof. Kusakana’s leadership extends deeply into institutional strategy as the Cluster Chair for Sustainable Energy Systems within the Centre for Sustainable Smart Cities (CSSC). His recent award of a prestigious five-year NRF SARChI Chair in Smart and Sustainable Energy Systems has further amplified this impact. To strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration under this Chair, he has successfully introduced inter-departmental, project-based research calls that have funded six new initiatives, and launched the "Urban Future Webinar Series" to connect CUT with internationally recognised experts.
His influence in the global academic community is further evidenced by his extensive publication record of over 300 journal articles, conference proceedings, and book chapters. Prof. Kusakana serves as an Associate Editor for two highly impactful journals: the IET Renewable Power Generation Journal and the Journal of Energy Storage. His continuous dedication to high-quality research ensures that CUT remains at the forefront of global energy and AI innovations.
Ultimately, Prof. Kusakana’s work is driven by a commitment to addressing Africa’s pressing energy challenges while driving sustainable economic growth. By aligning his research with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, he is not only advancing cutting-edge technology but also actively building research capacity and mentoring the next generation of engineers. His visionary leadership continues to position CUT as a premier institution for renewable energy solutions and smart, sustainable technologies.
CUT–W&RSETA Research Leadership Chair
Food Safety Culture and Sustainability
Prof. Ryk Lues leads the CUT–W&RSETA Research Leadership Chair, a strategic initiative established through a robust partnership between the Central University of Technology’s Centre for Applied Food Sustainability and Biotechnology (CAFSaB) and the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA). Officially launched in March 2024 with an initial three-year funding period, the Chair is firmly aligned with the sector skills plan, focusing on critical priority areas such as food safety, customer wellbeing, the circular economy, and sustainable skills development.
The primary purpose of the Chair is to utilise research, innovation, and collaboration to address complex, real-world challenges within the wholesale and retail sector. Rather than allowing research to remain confined to academic publications, Prof. Lues and his team are deeply committed to translating findings into practical, scalable solutions. This approach ensures that the Chair directly impacts industry practices, community health, and student development through targeted skills training and innovative, applied projects.
This commitment to societal responsiveness was prominently demonstrated when CAFSaB, under the Chair’s guidance, rapidly mobilised to address local spaza shop food safety outbreaks. By leading targeted awareness and education projects in schools and the informal food sector, the team reaffirmed the university's dual mandate of conducting cutting-edge research while remaining highly responsive to urgent public health needs. This practical intervention underscores the Chair’s dedication to creating safer, more resilient local food systems.
Several flagship projects highlight the innovative scope of the Chair’s work. The "Tshireletso Ka Thuto" (Protection through Education) initiative focuses heavily on food safety education and awareness within vulnerable communities and the informal food sector. Concurrently, the team is conducting in-depth research into food safety culture, examining how organisational attitudes, behaviours, and practices directly influence food safety outcomes. Additionally, the development of "Hi-Gene", a gamified Food Safety Board Game, represents a highly interactive and engaging approach to modern food safety education.
The strategic alignment with W&RSETA ensures that the Chair’s outputs directly support broader national goals. By fostering collaborative research, community education, and training activities, the initiative is designed to empower students and the youth to pursue entrepreneurship and innovation. This focus on beneficiation within the wholesale and retail spheres not only enhances industry standards but also actively contributes to sustainable job creation and economic development in the region.
Ultimately, the CUT-W&RSETA Research Leadership Chair is about creating safer food systems, strengthening food safety cultures, and supporting a more sustainable wholesale and retail sector. Through this vital platform, Prof. Lues continues to build research capacity, develop the next generation of researchers and students, and forge meaningful, lasting partnerships between the university, industry stakeholders, and local communities.