Durban – A University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) graduate, who received her Master’s in chemistry “cum laude” on Thursday, hopes that her research on reclaiming potable water will make safe drinking water a reality for all.
Lungile Hadebe grew up in Dannhauser in northern KZN without running water and electricity, according to UKZN.
The university said this motivated Hadebe to pursue her studies and contribute to her country and the world at large.
“My biggest accomplishment was to show that it is possible for a rural child from a disadvantaged background to excel at an international level, and receiving my Master’s ‘cum laude’ is validation,” said Hadebe.
UKZN said Hadebe’s research involved reclaiming potable water from brackish water using an innovative technology together with discarded coffee grounds to develop a potential material for use in water purification technology, contributing to a more sustainable society.
“In her project, Hadebe used biowaste in the form of easily accessible and abundant waste coffee grounds to serve as the electrode material,” said the university.
Hadebe said only 0.26% of the earth’s 2.5% freshwater resources are suitable for human consumption.
She said South Africa’s rural areas are particularly dependent on unsuitable groundwater sources and hopes her research will promote the circular economy and the use of waste as a resource.
“Capacitive Deionisation Technology (CDI) technology is convenient to utilise in rural areas for the reclamation of drinkable water since it requires less energy,” said Hadebe.
Hadebe thanked her supervisor Dr Bhekumuzi Gumbi not only for his supervisory support, but also for his coffee consumption that furnished her with the experimental materials she needed.
She also thanked her industrial supervisor Dr Zamani Cele of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and her funders, the Water Research Commission, the National Research Foundation Thuthuka grant awards, and GreenMatter.
Hadebe credited her laboratory colleagues, friends, and family for their consistent support.