Dr Peace Mabeta

Science has taught me patience and tenacity; breakthroughs take time to realise Scientific Researcher

From a young age, books have always been a consistent companion to Peace Mabeta. This laid a foundation for the development of a deep passion for the love of knowledge acquisition to be her forte in her future scientific research projects.

Her interest in her field of research was sparked by a gift she received at the age of 12 – a Thomas Salter Chemistry set – which set off her journey and keen interest in scientific research.

“My upbringing shaped my choice of career. We were raised with values of love and servitude. Community and community work was part of our day-to-day existence. My upbringing shaped my desire to use science to contribute to the betterment of my country,” Mabeta reveals.

Growing up in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, she attended primary school where her father was a teacher. She would later pursue a science career, starting with a Bachelor’s degree in science at the Medical University of Southern Africa (Medunsa), now Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.

She completed her postgraduate training at the University of Pretoria, with M.SC and PHD in human physiology, and later proceeded to Harvard University to take up a specialised qualification in cancer biology.

Mabeta was appointed a lecturer at the University of Pretoria in 2005 and moved through the ranks to become an associate professor at the same institution. She also heads the Cancer Angiogenesis Laboratory focusing on cancer treatment. She adds: “Through this journey I have also received recognition as Junior Researcher of the Year, Lecturer of the Year and the Award for Science Innovation, among other qualifications.”

Being part of a team that pioneered the treatment of a type of skin tumour in children and participating in community outreach programmes, such as the role modelling campaign, brought her a sense of fulfilment. Mabeta was also resolved to do more and to serve better in order to make a meaningful change in society.

Asked what needed to be done by others to gain access to areas of higher learning, especially for women, she says: “As a start, career guidance is needed at school level to expose a girl child to existing opportunities in science. Women need to be supported through comprehensive funding so that they have all the tools needed to enable them to enter the field and to succeed”.

The number of black women in senior academic positions at universities is low, and this should change, she says.