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Kwezi Mzilikazi – Top 40 Under 40

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The Top 40 under 40 is a showcase of local business talent under the age of 40 compiled by the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber (NMBBC).

Dr Kwezi Mzilikazi, 33 a Senior Lecturer at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU) was recently appointed as a Humboldt Ambassador Scientist by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.

At 33, she supervises a research team of Honours, Masters and PhD students in the Zoology department at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. This girl from Dutywa – whose primary interests are in the fields of ecological and evolutionary physiology – had a PhD by the age of 27. These days, internationally-acclaimed experts in the field of hypometabolism travel to Port Elizabeth to collaborate with her.

Mzilikazi is recognized as a leader in her field. She received the Women in Science award from the Department of Science and Technology in 2003, and the Alexander von Humboldt postdoctoral fellowship in 2006. 2010 saw her named second runner up in the Women in Science awards in the category of Best Emerging Woman Scientist in the Life Sciences.

A contributor to environmental programme 50/50 and regular presenter at the Sasol SciFest, Mzilikazi says she is motivated by strong characters. “Male and female, young and old, I look up to people who make a difference in their sphere of life,” she says. “I admire individuals who overcome great odds to achieve success.”

Kwezi Mzilikazi
Dr Kwezi Mzilikazi, 33 a Senior Lecturer at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

Original Image by: Sandy Coffey Photography.

The Top 40 Under 40 list, an NMBBC initiative, was compiled from nominations and selected by an independent panel at the NMBBC. The end result is a showcase of talented and ambitious young businesspeople from diverse sectors in Nelson Mandela Bay. From 7 December 2011, MyPE showcases one under 40 achiever a day.

See all the Top 40 Under 40 HERE.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.