Field of research

Profile

Prof. Mamphweli holds a master’s degree from the University of Venda and a PhD from the University of Fort Hare. He also possesses a number of certificates in Renewable Energy and a Mini-MBA certificate in Green Energy from the Green Power Academy in Britain. He has published more than 48 research articles in peer-reviewed journals including three book chapters. In addition, he has published 28 articles in refereed conference proceedings. He has also presented more than 30 research articles in national and international conferences including 12 invited presentations and keynote addresses. Prof Mamphweli has supervised and co-supervised 25 Masters and PhD students to completion. He began his career at the South African National Parks before moving to the University of Cape Town where he worked as a research technician. He subsequently joined the University of Fort Hare as an Eskom Research Fellow in 2005, conducting his PhD simultaneously. He moved up the academic ranks at the University of Fort Hare, from researcher, to senior researcher, and became an associate professor.

His primary area of specialisation is biomass gasification and biogas digesters. During his tenure at the University of Fort Hare, he raised significant funding and implemented a considerable number of renewable energy projects in the Eastern Cape. He also managed a number of renewable energy projects on behalf of the Faculty of Science and Agriculture. He is a recipient of the prestigious University of Fort Hare Vice Chancellor’s Emerging Researcher medal for the year 2012. Prof Mamphweli joined Stellenbosch University in July 2017 as Director for the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES), a position he has held until present day. He became a full Professor in Process Engineering, and delivered his inaugural address on the 26th April 2018. Prof Mamphweli is a member of the South African Institute of Physics. In addition he is a member of a number of committees that deal with renewable energy issues at national government level. He was co-director of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) until 2019.