| Lydia Makhubu | |
| Birth Name: | Lydia Phindile Makhubu |
| Birth Date: | 1 July 1937 |
| Birth Place: | Swaziland |
| Death Place: | Swaziland |
| Nationality: | Swazi |
| Occupation: | Chemist |
| Alma Mater: | University of Toronto |
Lydia Phindile Makhubu (1 July 1937 - July 2021) was a Swazi chemist and former professor of chemistry, dean and vice-chancellor of the University of Swaziland now the University of Eswatini).[1]
She was born at the Usuthu Mission in Swaziland. Her parents were teachers, but her father also worked as an orderly in health clinics. Her early exposure to medicine had a great influence on her choice of career; she initially wanted to become a doctor, but then switched to chemistry.[2]
Makhubu graduated from Pius XII College (now the National University of Lesotho) in Lesotho with a B.Sc. in 1963. With a Canadian Commonwealth scholarship, she obtained an M.Sc. in organic chemistry from the University of Alberta in 1967, followed by a Ph.D. in medicinal chemistry from the University of Toronto in 1973,[3] becoming the first Swazi woman to earn a doctorate.[1]
She returned to her homeland and joined the faculty of the University of Swaziland, becoming a lecturer in the chemistry department in 1973, the dean of science from 1976 to 1980, a senior lecturer in 1979, a full professor the following year, and vice-chancellor from 1988 to 2003.[1] Her research focused on the medical effects of plants used by traditional Swazi healers.[1] [2]
From its inception in 1993 until 2005, Makhubu was the President of the Third World Organization for Women in Science, which provides fellowships for postgraduate study.[4] [5] She was the first woman chairperson of the executive committee of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.[3] She also served in numerous other organizations, such as the United Nations Advisory Committee on Science and Technology for Development.[3]
She received numerous grants and honours, including a MacArthur Foundation grant (1993–1995),[6] and honorary doctorates from various universities,[7] including a doctor of laws from Saint Mary's University in 1991.[8]
She married the surgeon Daniel Mbatha; they have a son and a daughter.[1]