I am incredibly honoured to share that I have been awarded the Imbokodo in Maritime Pioneer in Research and Innovation award by the South African International Maritime Institute (SAIMI). This recognition came as a huge surprise — not only did I not know that I had been nominated, but I wasn’t even aware that the maritime spaces acknowledged the work I’ve been doing. It’s truly humbling to receive such an honour for my contributions to ocean and maritime research.

What makes this moment even more special is that this is my second award in just five days! It’s been an overwhelming week, and I’m still processing the magnitude of it all. These awards mean so much to me, not just as a personal achievement but as a testament to the importance of the work we do in ocean science and maritime research. It motivates me to keep pushing boundaries and to continue contributing to the growth and innovation within this space. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this journey — this win is for us all!

Stay inspired, Kolisa Yola Sinyanya 💙