Sphelele Zondi is a biotechnologist who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biotechnology from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) and an Honours degree from the University of Johannesburg. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Biotechnology at the University of Pretoria (UP) under the supervision of Professor Bernard Slippers.

He has published research arising from his Honours dissertation, which focused on the microbial diversity analysis of rhizobacteria associated with the roots of the African violet tree. This work contributed to understanding plant associated microbial communities and their potential roles in plant health.

His MSc research focuses on the screening of nursery and field diseases, with particular emphasis on the impact of hygiene practises and the reuse of ellipot containers on disease development in nurseries and orchards. The study aims to support improved biosecurity and disease management strategies within horticultural production systems.

Sphelele’s research interests include plant pathology, microbial ecology, and plant microbe interactions, with experience in microbial isolation and characterisation, molecular identification, and phylogenetic analysis.