Researcher’s excellence rewarded

Dr Avela Sogoni, who began his journey as a petrol attendant after matriculating, is now inspired to see his dedication and hard work celebrated by his peers and the National Research Foundation (NRF). He has been honoured with the 2025 Research Excellence Award for Next Generation Researchers.

“To achieve this recognition, I sacrificed my preferences, moderated my ego for the greater good, not minding the delayed gratification,” he enthuses.

Sogoni says: “When I heard the news through email, I could not believe it. I remember clearly telling my supervisor, Prof Muhali Jimoh, that I would call the NRF staff just to make sure it’s true. It was an amazing feeling to know that my research was rated as outstanding among candidates from well-researched universities.”

He has achieved remarkable milestones, earning his BTech in Horticulture and a Master’s in Horticultural Sciences from CPUT, where he recently completed his PhD and now serves as a research assistant. His groundbreaking work has significantly advanced the understanding of salt tolerance mechanisms, the pharmacological potential, nutritional properties, and metabolic profiles of Tetragonia decumbens, a wild edible vegetable, showcasing his dedication to the field and the future of horticulture.

Born in Qonce, formerly known as King William's Town, Eastern Cape, Sogoni attributes his success to an insatiable curiosity about how things work. After matriculating from Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School in 2012, he took a gap year, working as a petrol attendant from 2012 to 2013. In 2014, he boldly stepped forward to pursue his dreams by enrolling for a National Diploma in Horticulture at CPUT.

Growing up in an area where only a few people managed to attend university inspired him to excel. His mother, who always supported education because she believed it was the only way out of poverty, encouraged his enrolment in Horticulture. “The reason behind this choice was purely based on the love I have for plants, more especially leafy vegetables.”

When asked about his reaction to the announcement, Sogoni, who finds solace in long coastal drives that refresh his spirit, says: “I was very happy to see all the long hours I have put in eventually being recognised by my peers and the National Research Foundation… I would attribute my success to curiosity about how things work. My primary motivation lies in the realisation of my strength, understanding the system, and the discovery of new things. These discoveries are the rewards from long hours that science requires.”

He is also excited to think that the things people are learning may help preserve the environment and improve human health through diet diversity and by limiting chronic diseases. “I am inspired that my contribution to knowledge could enhance food security and mitigate hidden hunger.”

A hard pill for him to swallow was that he had no choice but to succeed, coming from a family without a university background and feeling the pressure to earn a PhD. With support from his supervisors, he achieved this goal. A major highlight of his career was attending the International Horticultural Congress in France in 2022.

This award signifies the outstanding quality of work conducted by a final-year doctoral student in South African universities. It is a turning point in Sogoni’s career, “as it reassures me and my peers that research excellence is achievable”.

“Bringing home the trophy proves that research conducted at CPUT is of immense quality in innovation for a sustainable future. Moreover, the support provided by my supervisors and the Department of Horticulture through nomination was significant in the achievement of this award.”

Sogoni has an important message for other postgraduate students and staff members who aspire to follow in his footsteps. He emphasises the need for patience with oneself. “Understand that this journey is a long one; you don't have to do everything perfectly from day one. You will need time to complete tasks, make mistakes, and learn from them. It is also essential to have or develop a close network of collaborators, especially more senior colleagues who can mentor you.”

For younger individuals coming from similar backgrounds to his, Sogoni encourages them to believe in themselves and to think about their aspirations. It’s important to consider how a diploma or degree can support their ambitions. “It can be easy to doubt yourself or spend too much time seeking opinions from others. While input from others can be beneficial, in the end, you must trust in your ability to succeed. Remember, ‘the road to success is not a path you find, but a trail you blaze.’”

Written by Aphiwe Boyce
Email: BoyceAp@cput.ac.za