38th Regional Conference
Microbial Frontiers for Sustainable Health and Innovation:
  • 00Days
  • 00Hours
  • 00Minutes

SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIETY FOR MICROBIOLOGY

VENUE: UNIZULU Science Centre, Richards Bay Central, Richards Bay, 3900

20 November 2025

08h00am – 18h00pm

For general enquiries or more information please contact the Organising Committee via sasm@unizulu.ac.za

The Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) proudly presents the 38th Regional SASM Conference, taking place at the UNIZULU Science Centre in Richards Bay.

Theme: Microbial Frontiers for Sustainable Health and Innovation: Bridging Research, Biotechnology, and One Health.

Prof Sandile Songca

Head of Department

Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology

Guest Speakers

We are excited to confirm the following SASM25 Conference speakers

Dr. Thamsanqa Chiliza is the Founder and CEO of Igagasi Biotech, leading innovation in rapid diagnostics with over 20 years of experience in biotech research and industry. He bridges academia and entrepreneurship to advance sustainable health solutions across Africa.

Dr. Thamsanqa Chiliza

Mrs. Busisiwe Moloi

Mrs. Busisiwe Moloi is the co-founder and CEO of Sawubona Mycelium, driving innovation in sustainable bio-based ingredients using mushroom mycelium and fermentation. With a strong academic and industry background, she leads R&D, commercialization, and has earned recognition for advancing biotech in South Africa.

Mr. Prince Edward Nkosiyokuthula Msomi, Managing Director of Prijap Biolife Biotechnologies (Pty) Ltd, holds a National Diploma in Biotechnology and began developing Prijap Health in 2009. He officially registered the company in 2016 to manufacture and distribute the herbal product, originally developed by his grandfather.

Mr. Prince Msomi

Dietary Preferences

We accommodate diverse dietary needs to ensure all attendees enjoy safe, inclusive meals throughout the conference experience.

For general enquiries or more information please contact the Organising Committee via sasm@unizulu.ac.za

38th Regional SASM Conference
SASM 2025 Abstract Submission Guidelines
SASM 2025

Copyright © 2025 University of Zululand - All Rights Reserved

Date:
20 November 2025 8am – 6pm

Email: sasm@unizulu.ac.za 

Address: 1 Main Road Vulindlela, kwadlangezwa, Empangeni

Professor Sandile Phinda Songca

Prof Songca is the HoD for the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology at the University of Zululand. Previously he was the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, and before that at the University of Zululand.

Before this he was DVC for Academic Affairs and Research at Walter Sisulu University where he had been coordinator for the turn-around framework projects, after serving as executive dean of the faculty of Science, Engineering, and Technology. Currently, he is also serving as a member of the Higher Education Quality Committee of the Council on Higher Education in his capacity as the chairperson of the National Standards and Capacity Development Committee.

He has served as the representative of Walter Sisulu University and University of KwaZulu-Natal in their respective Provincial Skills Development Forums. During his five years as Deputy Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, he served as the chairperson of the board of the University of KwaZulu-Natal Extended Learning. He was also a board member of the Eastern Cape Information Technology Initiative, as the head of the Human Resources sub-committee. He has also served as the coordinator of the National Research Network on e-Skills, an initiative of the erstwhile e-Skills Institute.

Prof Songca has served as member of Council for four Universities in South Africa and currently serves in a team that has succeeded in establishing a brand new University in the African Continent, the Fako University Of Technology And Innovation (FUTI). He qualified with a Ph.D. from Queen Mary and Westfield College, University of London, in organic chemistry with a medicinal slant and possesses experience in this area spanning over three decades. He has attracted more than R70 million from the National Research Foundation, South African Aids Vaccine Initiative, Department Telecommunications and Postal Service, Anglo American, DeBeers, Sentrachem, and others.

He has read more than 90 conference papers and published more than 120 articles in both local and international journals and books. He is actively involved in student supervision and has graduated more than 25 postgraduate students. He has 25 years of experience lecturing chemistry and biochemistry at Unitra, UNIZULU, UNISA, UL, and Walter Sisulu University, from 1983-2008. He is married to Reverend Nokulunga Patricia Songca, a friend, partner, and ally of great influence for 43 years.