A research project inspired by the ancient limestone formations of South Africa's Cango Caves has earned international recognition, highlighting how nature-inspired chemistry could help address climate change while creating valuable resources for society. 

Dr Itani Madiba, a Cape Town-based senior researcher and scientist associated with the UNESCO-Unisa Africa Chair, jointly hosted by the University of South Africa (Unisa) and iThemba LABS, secured third place in the inaugural Belmont Forum Transdisciplinary Photo Competition 2026. 

His team's entry, titled "From carbonate caves to green carbonates for society", was recognised for visually communicating research that explores how carbon dioxide (CO₂), a major greenhouse gas, can be converted into useful materials through environmentally conscious chemical processes. 

The winning photographs were exhibited during the Belmont Forum plenary held in Bangkok, Thailand, in August 2026, providing an international platform to showcase research addressing environmental and societal challenges. 

At the centre of Madiba's research is an innovative approach that draws inspiration from natural processes that have shaped the Earth's geological formations over thousands of years. 

The project takes its inspiration from the Cango Caves in the Western Cape, where carbonate formations have developed gradually through natural mineral processes. 

By studying these processes, the research team is exploring how green chemistry can be used to transform carbon dioxide into materials with potential applications in agriculture, clean energy, water security, healthcare technologies and public education. 

The approach combines accessible ingredients, including plant extracts and water, with innovative chemical methods designed to imitate aspects of natural carbonate formation. 

Rather than viewing carbon dioxide solely as an environmental problem, the research explores how it can become a resource that contributes to sustainable development. 

The project illustrates how scientific innovation can draw on natural systems to develop approaches that respond to environmental challenges while potentially benefiting communities and industries. 

Its emphasis on environmentally responsible chemical processes also reflects the importance of research that connects scientific discovery with practical societal needs. 

The Belmont Forum's inaugural photography competition challenged researchers from around the world to communicate the impact of their work through compelling visual storytelling. 

Participants were required to submit authentic, minimally edited photographs demonstrating the environmental or societal significance of their research, the value of collaboration across disciplines and the integration of different forms of knowledge. 

Artificial intelligence-generated images were prohibited, ensuring that entries reflected actual research activities, people and environments. 

For Madiba and his team, translating a complex scientific project into a single photograph required careful planning and creativity. 

Madiba and his postdoctoral fellows spent two weeks conceptualising their submission, considering how best to communicate the relationship between natural carbonate formation, green chemistry and the potential societal benefits of their research. 

Although Madiba does not consider himself an avid photographer, he guided the creative direction of the project, while one of his postdoctoral fellows captured the final image. 

Their objective was to communicate the essence of the science in a single frame, bringing together the materials, ideas and broader purpose of the research. 

The resulting photograph earned third place in a competition that attracted submissions from researchers internationally. 

Madiba received news of the achievement by email, as the award announcement did not take place during the conference. 

While the first- and second-place winners received monetary prizes, the third-place award included fully funded conference attendance, offering Madiba an opportunity for international engagement. 

The recognition provides a platform to raise awareness of the team's research and its potential contribution to sustainable scientific innovation. 

It also highlights the growing importance of communicating research in ways that make complex scientific concepts accessible to audiences beyond academia. 

By combining scientific research with visual storytelling, the team demonstrated how photography can help communicate the relevance of research to society and encourage wider engagement with environmental challenges. 

The achievement reflects the contribution of the UNESCO-Unisa Africa Chair, jointly hosted by Unisa and iThemba LABS, to research that connects scientific innovation with societal and environmental priorities. 

Madiba's work is particularly relevant to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13, which calls for urgent action to combat climate change, and SDG 12, which promotes responsible consumption and production. 

By investigating ways to convert carbon dioxide into useful materials, the project also contributes to broader scientific discussions about resource efficiency and the development of more sustainable chemical processes. 

The research demonstrates how lessons drawn from natural environments can inform innovative approaches to contemporary challenges, while reinforcing the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. 

For Unisa and iThemba LABS, Madiba's international recognition is a celebration of both scientific achievement and the ability of African researchers to communicate their work on global platforms. 

It also underscores the importance of making research accessible, showing how a single photograph can capture years of scientific inquiry and inspire conversations about solutions to some of the world's most pressing environmental challenges. 

* By Hanli Wolhuter, Communication and Marketing Specialist, College of Graduate Studies