Nothando Wandile Mungwe
VEREENIGING
Summary
Accomplished Experimental Scientist with a proven track record at Rand Water, specializing in water treatment process evaluation and leading team development. Expert in project planning, stakeholder engagement, and delivering innovations that resulted in significant cost savings. Demonstrated excellence in research, with a keen ability to manage risks and assure quality, ensuring project success and stakeholder satisfaction.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Experimental Scientist
Rand Water
01.2019 - Current
- Acted as Head of Experimental Facilities for up to six months
- Developed and managed project plans for water treatment evaluations
- Led laboratory-scale experimental design and execution
- Compiled technical reports and chemical evaluation documents
- Coordinated procurement for laboratory chemicals and equipment
- Provided technical training and mentorship to new staff
- Presented research findings internally and at conferences
- Key Completed Projects:
- Optimisation of Waste Treatment Residue Suspension Management
- Improved WTR suspension solids concentration for optimal plant operation
- Reduced turbidity and enhanced thickened WTR solids concentration
- Proposed cost-saving solutions that led to ZAR 60M in savings
- Re-Chloramination as a Tertiary Disinfectant in Water Treatment
- Assessed the feasibility of re-chloramination to enhance disinfectant residuals in the Rand Water distribution network
- Successfully implemented re-chloramination, achieving increased monochloramine stability and reducing disinfectant decay
- Identified optimal temperature (≤ 25C) and pH (~8.3) conditions for slower monochloramine degradation
- Demonstrated minimal impact on nitrite formation, ensuring water quality compliance
- Findings contributed to the development of a pilot-scale re-chloramination process, enhancing long-term disinfection efficiency
Professional Officer
National Research Foundation
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Led funding proposal reviews for chemistry and material sciences
- Coordinated peer reviews, panel evaluations, and feedback dissemination
- Managed stakeholder engagement and financial transactions
- Led project evaluations for research funding in chemistry and natural sciences
- Coordinated review panels and facilitated stakeholder engagement
- Managed project schedules and financial transactions within budget
- Produced technical reports and risk assessments for funding recommendations
Graduate (Scientific Services, Process Technology)
Rand Water
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Developed SOPs for FTIR and Viscometer per ISO9001 standards
- Conducted water treatment plant risk assessments and blue drop audits
- Led bench and pilot-scale rechloramination investigations
- Evaluated water treatment chemicals using advanced analytical techniques
- Conducted chemical quality control/assurance for water treatment projects
- Developed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for analytical instruments
- Coordinated procurement and project documentation
- Led risk assessments and compliance audits for water treatment plants
Researcher – Naphtha Project Team Leader
University of the Western Cape – PetroSA Synthetic Fuel Innovation Centre
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Managed project planning and execution in petroleum upgrading processes
- Supervised MSc and Honours students
- Developed catalysts for desulfurization and paraffin dehydrogenation
- Designed micro-scale processing units and conducted HAZOP studies
Education
Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice - Values-Based Leadership, Business Acumen, Emerging Markets in Context and Action Learning Project
University of Cape Town
01.2024
Project Management Certificate -
University of Cape Town
01.2010
Master’s degree - Research focused on palladium complex synthesis and olefin oligomerisation
University of the Western Cape
01.2007
BSc Honours (Cum Laude) - Chemical Science
University of the Western Cape
01.2005
BSc - Chemical Science
University of the Western Cape
01.2004
Skills
- Project planning and execution
- Stakeholder coordination and engagement
- Data analysis and technical reporting
- Water treatment process evaluation
- Leadership and team development
- Risk assessment and quality assurance
- Research and innovation management
Affiliations
- Professional National Scientist, 114359
- Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA)
- International Water Association (IWA)
- Catalysis Society of South Africa
Certification
- Research Management & Leadership Training, Online, University of Colorado, 2021
- Water Resources Management & Policy, Online, University of Geneva, 2018
- Basic & Advanced Water Treatment, WATSUP Development, 2015
- ISO/IEC 17025 Laboratory System & Internal Auditing, SANAS, 2015
- Root Cause Analysis & Risk Assessment (HIRA), IRCA Global, 2015
- Method Validation & Uncertainty of Measurement, NLA, 2015
Selected Achievements
- Led a water treatment project that saved Rand Water R60 million by optimising WTR suspension management.
- Presented research findings at WISA conferences (2020, 2018) on polymer residual analysis and chloramination.
- Coordinated the 1st Water Reuse Regional Symposium in 2019.
- Recognised as Best Poster Presenter at the Catalysis Society of South Africa Conference (2011).
- Supervised and co-supervised MSc students in chemistry and chemical engineering.
- Initiated and executed a corporate social responsibility blanket drive at Rand Water.
Leadership And Volunteer Experience
- Events and communication Coordinator, WISA water reuse division of Water Institute of Southern Africa
- Head of Social Responsibility, Rand Water Young Professionals Forum
- Mentorship Coordinator, South African Women in Engineering (SAWomEng)
- Supervisor, Supervised MSc Chemistry, BSc Chemistry and Chemical Engineering students
- Leader and Coordinator, Led and coordinated multiple research evaluation panels at NRF and Water treatment Chemical Evaluations and Water research projects at Rand Water
Publications
- Published in scientific journals on chemical synthesis and polymer applications.
- Multiple oral and poster presentations at WISA conferences (2022, 2020, 2018) and CATSA conferences (2010, 2011).
- Contributed to UCT’s carbon footprint analysis publication (2011).
References
- Mr Muzi Sibiya, Section Head: Applied Treatment Technology, Process Technology, Scientific Services, Rand Water, msibiya@randwater.co.za, 071 519 4366
- Ms Khosi Sigudu, Section Head: Experimental Facilities, Process Technology, Scientific Services, Rand Water, knhlapo2@randwater.co.za, 083 458 6204
- Ms Nosisa Dube, Director (reporting to manager), Reviews and Evaluations, Research and Innovation Support and Advancement (RISA) division, National Research Foundation, nosisa.dube@nrf.ac.za, Meiring Naude road, Brummeria, Pretoria, 0184
Current Position
Experimental Scientist, Rand Water, 01/01/19, Current
Professional Registration
Professional National Scientist, 114359
Timeline
Experimental Scientist
Rand Water
01.2019 - Current
Professional Officer
National Research Foundation
01.2018 - 01.2019
Graduate (Scientific Services, Process Technology)
Rand Water
01.2015 - 01.2018
Researcher – Naphtha Project Team Leader
University of the Western Cape – PetroSA Synthetic Fuel Innovation Centre
01.2012 - 01.2014
Postgraduate Diploma in Management Practice - Values-Based Leadership, Business Acumen, Emerging Markets in Context and Action Learning Project
University of Cape Town
Project Management Certificate -
University of Cape Town
Master’s degree - Research focused on palladium complex synthesis and olefin oligomerisation
University of the Western Cape
BSc Honours (Cum Laude) - Chemical Science
University of the Western Cape
BSc - Chemical Science
University of the Western Cape
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