Executive Members 2019 – 2021

He was elected to be the president of the society. Prior to his appointment as the president, he was the ZCS executive member. Dr Mehlana Graduated with a PhD (Chemistry) from the University of Cape Town in 2014 under the supervision of Professor Susan Bourne and Dr Gaelle Ramon. His PhD thesis focused on Synthesis and Applications of metal-organic frameworks in sensing of small molecules. Dr Mehlana is a Future leader- African Independent Research fellow in the Department and head of the Carbon Dioxide Research group in the Chemical Technology at Midlands State University, Zimbabwe. Prior to this post, Dr Mehlana was the Chairperson of the Chemical Technology Department from 2016 to 2019. To date, he has published more than 20 articles in peer reviewed journals. Dr Mehlana has Won several international prestigious scholarships and grants such as the Ludo Frevel Crystallography Scholarship (2012 and 2014) and the African German Network of Excellence in Science (2015). Dr Mehlana is also a recipient of the PhosAgro/IUPAC/UNESCO research grant (2018) which allows him to carry out research that addresses some of the principles of green chemistry. Currently he is a supervisor to six postgraduate students whose research is focused on carbon dioxide utilization. Dr Mehlana’s research focus is centered on developing new materials that can be used for catalysis, sensing and in drug delivery.

Dr Mehlana is also a member of the Executive Committee of the African Crystallographic Association Steering Committee which aims to advance crystallographic oriented research in Africa.

Ms. Chahwanda (PrChem.Zw) is the first vice-president. She was elected during the 2019 AGM. Prior to her appointment to the current position, she was an executive secretary. She holds BSc (Hons) Applied Chemistry (NUST) and is a PRINCE2 Practitioner.

Mr. Damascus Masawi was elected as the executive secretary of the society. Prior to his appointment he was ZCS interim vice secretary. He is a holder of a Masters in Materials Chemistry, MBA, Bachelor of Technology in Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology, City and Guilds Quality Assurance, A3 quality Assurance, Lead Auditor, WIPO Advanced courses in Intellectual Property, ACS Reviewer Lab Certificate. He is a Lecturer in the Bachelor of Technology Chemical Technology Department at Harare Polytechnic in collaboration with National University of Science Technology(NUST). He has worked in various chemical industries as a Technical Manager, Quality Manager and as a Consultant. He has registered international and local companies to ISO 9000. He was a research scientist at Harare Polytechnic in the Jatropha biodiesel project which was taken to national level under Finealt Engineering, now under the Ministry of Energy. He also researched on the synthesis of hydraulic brake fluid from jatropha oil a book chapter in NAM S&T book publication on “Evolving Biotechnology in Developing Countries. He has registered a Patent with ZIPO. He has presented several papers on international conferences and has published and reviewed articles in peer reviewed journals. He is a member of Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) Standards Council (SCO) and a Technical Committee member. He was a team member of Research Council of Zimbabwe (RCZ) Rapid Results Initiative (RRI) which launched the National IP Policy.

Mr. Franklin Mufaro Chipendo holds an BSc Applied Chemistry (NUST) and MBA (MSU), he is currently working as a Quality Assurance Chemist at Standard Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ). Prior to his appointment as the society’s executive assistant –secretary, he was an active ZCS member since its formation.

Mr. Rongai was appointed the executive treasurer soon after the 2019 AGM. Prior to his appointment, he was an active member since its formation. He holds a BSc Degree in Chemistry and Biochemistry (UZ)), MSc Analytical Chemistry (UZ), MSc in Engineering Chemical (Wits) and a Master of Business Administration (ZOU) amongst other qualifications.

He has 12 years’ experience in the quality Control laboratory of Petroleum products. He started his carrier in 2008 as a laboratory chemist at the National Oil Company of Zimbabwe now NOIC where he was involved in Quality control of imported diesel, petrol and jet A1. He became Standards Association of Zimbabwe’s Senior Technical Officer in 2012 where he contributed immensely towards the development of Petroleum products quality standards. He is the Fuel Quality Technician, at Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority a position he holds since 2014. He is interested in the development and improvement renewable energy sources, particularly biodiesel and ethanol.