A Win for Our Collective Village: Celebrating Prof. Vukosi Marivate

Image: President Cyril Ramaphosa, Prof. Vukosi Marivate, and Phindile Baleni. Photo courtesy GCIS.

We are immensely proud to share that our Principal Investigator and lab lead, Professor Vukosi Marivate, has been awarded the Order of Mapungubwe in Silver by the President of South Africa.

This honour, the nation’s highest recognition for scientific achievement, celebrates Prof. Marivate’s groundbreaking contributions to Data Science, Natural Language Processing, and his steadfast advocacy for equitable, African-centric technology.

At DSFSI, we recognise that this is not just an individual accolade, but a reflection of the “collective village” that builds our work. It is a validation of every student, intern, and researcher who works daily to ensure our languages and data are at the forefront of the global digital frontier.

While we take a moment to celebrate, our focus remains on the path ahead. We are back to work, placing the next brick in our building and taking the next deliberate step in our mission.

Thank you to all our collaborators, funders, and community members who continue to dream, build, and walk this journey with us.

Official Announcement

The Presidency of South Africa published the full list of recipients: Presidency Announces Recipients of National Orders.

Ceremony Recording

Watch the investiture ceremony — the video below starts at the moment Prof. Marivate receives his honour:

Prof. Marivate’s Personal Reflection

Read Prof. Marivate’s own words on what this honour means to him and the broader community: A Win for Our Collective Village.

Stay connected with our work:

• DSFSI: https://linktr.ee/dsfsi
• AfriDSAI: https://linktr.ee/afridsai
• Deep Learning Indaba: https://deeplearningindaba.com
• Masakhane Research Foundation: https://www.masakhane.io

Media Highlights & Coverage

The announcement and investiture of the Order of Mapungubwe (Silver) for Prof. Vukosi Marivate have been featured across several major media platforms, reflecting the impact of this achievement on the South African scientific and technology landscape.

• [University of Pretoria] National Orders: UP’s Prof Vukosi Marivate honoured for contributions to Data Science and AI
  The official university announcement detailing the significance of the award and Prof. Marivate’s reflection on the “village” of researchers that supported this journey.

• [Absa Group | LinkedIn] Celebrating Excellence in Data Science (Note: Example URL)
  As the Absa Chair of Data Science, Prof. Marivate was celebrated by the Absa Group for his leadership in bridging the gap between academic research and industry application in Africa.

• [SAfm] Built in Mzansi: Prof. Vukosi Marivate
  Built in Mzansi: How Prof. Vukosi Marivate leads the Data Science for Social Impact (DSFSI) research working group as it bridges the gap between cutting-edge data science research and real-world societal challenges, with a special focus on African language technologies. Just yesterday, he received the National Order of Mapungubwe in Silver on this work data science and artificial intelligence

• [ITWeb] President Ramaphosa honours UP’s AI pioneer
  Tech-focused coverage highlighting the role of the Masakhane Research Foundation and the advancement of AI sovereignty on the continent.

• [Daily Maverick] SA’s 2026 National Orders showcase cultural giants and community leaders alike
  Recognising achievements across diverse fields, South Africa’s 2026 National Orders celebrate the contributions of artists, community leaders, and global figures in building a united nation.