Explain your life’s work in three minutes. That’s the challenge a group of South Africa’s brightest PhD minds were handed at the National Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition this year.
Free State, South Africa (03 November 2025) – Held in October at the University of the Free State, the National Three-Minute Thesis challenged South Africa’s doctoral students across different fields to turn years of complex study and academia into something anyone can understand, in 180 seconds.
Scholars need to be able to share ideas to make a real impact. Shaping a complex thought into something that can be easily digested is a good measure of that really critical skill.
“Competitions like the 3MT not only celebrate research excellence but also teach scholars how to communicate their ideas to inspire real-world impact,” said Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Internationalisation at UFS.
Participants this year reigned from Nelson Mandela University, Unisa, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the University of the Western Cape, the University of Johannesburg, the University of Pretoria, and Stellenbosch University.
A female professor took first prize!
Dr Robinah Nakawunde from Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences won with her presentation that explored how the lungs are affected post-TB care. It brought attention to the need for improved healthcare interventions after treatment.
Aaron Harvey from the University of Pretoria’s Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences took second place. His presentation touched on his research into how avocado plants fight root rot disease using RNA interference.
Morgan Lee from the University of Cape Town’s Faculty of Humanities took third place. She presented on the ‘hidden barriers’ holding back sustainable agriculture in SA’s grain sector.
“The 2025 3MT National Competition once again demonstrated the power of concise, impactful communication in research. As the curtain closed, it was evident that South Africa’s future of research and innovation remains in capable hands, ones that can not only investigate deeply, but also explain passionately,” shares UP.
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