Physicist Honoured with South Africa's Highest Physics Award!

Photo Credit: University of the Free State

Professor Hendrik Swart has been awarded the 2026 De Beers Gold Medal. It is highest honour given out by the South African Institute of Physics!

Free State. South Africa (17 July 2026) – After more than 40 years of advancing science, mentoring young researchers, and bringing South African physics to the world, Professor Hendrik Swart has received the country’s highest honour in the field, the University of the Free State shares.

The medal was handed over at a gala dinner during SAIP’s 70th Annual Conference, hosted by the University of the Western Cape earlier this month. It’s given out once every two years to recognise a lifetime of achievement in physics research, education and industry.

Prof Swart’s research focuses on materials physics, particularly how materials interact with light. It might sound complicated, but the everyday applications are things we all rely on like LED lights, TV and smartphone screens, medical imaging equipment, temperature sensors, and even the security features that stop banknotes from being forged.

Over his career, Prof Swart has authored or co-authored more than 1000 peer-reviewed journal articles, racked up over 34,750 citations, and holds the South African Research Chairs Initiative Chair in Solid State Luminescent and Advanced Materials. He also built the National Nanosurface Characterisation Facility at UFS, which gives South African researchers access to world-class equipment right here at home.

He’s supervised more than 120 master’s and doctoral graduates over the course of his career, many of whom have gone on to build careers in academia, research and industry around the world.

“Seeing previous students and postdoctoral fellows pursue prosperous careers in academia, business, and research organisations across South Africa and the world is, perhaps, what gives me the most happiness. It is significantly more satisfying to see young researchers grow into scientists, leaders, and supervisors than any one paper or citation.” he says, as per the university.

In accepting his award, Prof Swart credits his coworkers, students, fellows, and partners for backing his work over the years. He says the medal isn’t just his – he’s dedicating it to his wife, children and grandchildren, too.