The Harmzen-sisters from Melkbosstrand not only shared the same science teacher at the Bloemhof High School for Girls, but this week they were awarded a PhD- and MSc-degree respectively in polymer science under the supervision of the same study leader in the Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science at Stellenbosch University (SU).
Elrika Harmzen-Pretorius is four years older than her sibling, Nelmari Harmzen, which means that Elrika was in matric in Bloemhof High School for Girls when her sister started with Grade 8 at the same school. Both are full of praise for their teacher, Ms Clarisa Steyn, subject head for physical sciences at Bloemhof: “I've always wanted to study something to do with chemistry, as I loved the subject at school," Elrika recounts.
“She was the best science teacher ever, even though she always called me Elrika," affirms Nelmari.
The Harmzen sisters have been exposed to chemistry-related careers since early childhood: their maternal grandfather, Wouter de Waal, was a chemist, and their father, Pieter Harmzen, works at a nuclear power facility in the United Arab Emirates.
Yet it was more by accident than design that they both landed up in Professor Bert Klumperman's research group. The Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science is currently the only institution in South Africa that offers polymer science on both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Furthermore, Klumperman is also holder of the South African research chair in advanced supramolecular architectures. During 2017 altogether five PhD-students successfully completed their research and graduated under his supervision. The others are Dr Annette Kargaard, Dr Uaadhrajh Narsingh and Dr Welmarie van Schalwyk.
Nelmari says it was a great privilege to conduct research in the same laboratory than her older sister: “She helped me so much and I am grateful that we could share this experience. But now I'm finished with studying for a while!"
She started working at Falke Eurosocks in Cape Town this week, while Elrika is employed as a senior analyst at the electron microscopy division of SU's Central Analytical Services (CAF).
More about polymer science
SU is the only tertiary institution in South Africa that offers training in polymer science on both undergraduate and postgraduate level. This is thanks to the pioneering work done by the founding father of polymer science in South Africa, Professor Ronald Sanderson. In 1977 he was the only polymer scientist in South Africa and Africa. He established the Institute for Polymer Science with the financial support of industry partners such as Sasol and Plascon. In 2000 the institute was merged with the Department of Chemistry and it became the Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science. Today the division has its own building, with five modern, well-equipped laboratoria and state-of-the-art analytical equipment. There are eight fulltime academics and an annual cohort of 50 postgraduate students.
Professor Sanderson passed away in August 2015. In commemoration of his contribution to polymer science at SU and South Africa, the department established the Ronald Sanderson Honours Bursary in Polymer Science. For more information, go to http://academic.sun.ac.za/polymer/RDS%20bursaries.html
On the photo, Mrs Elize Harmzen, Dr Elrika Harmzen, Nelmari Harmzen and their father, Mr Pieter Harmzen.
