South Africa at Falling Walls 2025 – Two Cities, Two Powerful Voices on the Global Stage

Together, Unathi and Candace carried the country’s scientific excellence, creativity and spirit into one of the world’s most dynamic spaces for emerging research. Although the final title did not come home this year, South Africa’s presence was strongly felt, its stories well received, and its breakthroughs firmly part of the global conversation.

Johannesburg’s Representative: Unathi Ramashala
Breaking the Wall of Breast Cancer Models

As the national winner of Falling Walls Lab Johannesburg, Unathi addressed a longstanding and critical gap in medical research: the lack of breast cancer models that accurately represent African women. Her project introduces 3D tumour organoids grown from patient-derived cells, providing more realistic and inclusive tools for breast cancer research than traditional 2D cultures. Through her efforts to establish a biobank of breast cancer organoids derived from Black South African women, Unathi’s work has the potential to reshape global cancer research and contribute to more responsive healthcare for communities that have long been underrepresented. Her contribution is rooted in scientific rigour as well as a deep sense of social responsibility.

Unathi’s experience in Berlin reflected this blend of purpose and curiosity. Beyond the formal programme, she explored the city’s cultural and historical landscape, from walking along the East Side Gallery and visiting key museums to recording interviews near Warschauer Strasse with the Berlin Wall as a backdrop. She also discovered Berlin’s well-known street food, including her first doner kebab. These moments added richness to her time abroad and captured the essence of what this newsletter category seeks to highlight: learning, connection and growth both within and beyond the academic sphere.

Cape Town’s Reprentative: Candace Eslick
Breaking the Wall of Clean Cooking Fuels

Representing Falling Walls Lab Cape Town through the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Candace Eslick presented an important project centred on sustainability, access to clean energy and improvements to daily life in African households. Her work in e-fuels examines innovative pathways toward cleaner and safer cooking alternatives, responding to the ongoing challenge of harmful indoor emissions.

Candace’s approach is informed by her background as a chemical engineer as well as a personal philosophy inspired by her grandfather’s appreciation for nature. Guided by the idea of living each day fully, she brings together scientific discipline and a strong sense of human impact, reminding audiences that sustainability is fundamentally about people and their well-being.

A Strong South African Presence in Berlin

Together, Unathi and Candace represented two provinces, two research communities and two partner institutions, yet their work was united by a shared commitment to positive social change. Despite the high level of competition, South Africa stood out not only for the quality of research presented but also for the authenticity of the stories and lived experiences that shaped that research.

Throughout their time in Berlin, both participants engaged with peers from around the world, explored the city’s complex history and participated in the wider community that defines the Falling Walls Summit. Their journey reflects the values central to DAAD South Africa and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation: collaboration, mobility and the belief that international exchange strengthens both individuals and societies.

Watch the full Science Summit panels, talks and round-tables here.

South Africa continues to break walls through research, dialogue and the powerful stories of young innovators making their mark globally.