​​Dr Cletos Mapiye, a senior lecturer in the Department of Animal Sciences of Stellenbosch University, was recently awarded “The World Academy of Sciences Regional Office for Sub-Saharan Africa (TWAS-ROSSA) Regional Young Scientist Prize: Agriculture and Food Security” for 2017. The prestigious award comprised an award certificate with a citation on the winner’s scientific achievement, as well as a cash prize of 2000 US Dollars. The Prize is awarded to an outstanding young scientist who has made significant contributions to research, development and capacity building to improve sustainability of food and agricultural systems, food security and poverty reduction in the developing world. This prize is awarded in fulfilment of the TWAS objective of recognizing, supporting and promoting scientific capacity and excellence in the developing world. The theme of the prize was aligned to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal #2: End hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. The overall focus of the aforementioned program is also linked to the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) 2024 priority area 1, which is eradication of hunger and achieving food security. The Prize was formally awarded at the Food Security and Policy Workshop, which was held from 11-13 April 2018 in Johannesburg.