Scientific excellence, innovation, and impact
Ms Keitumetse Molamu
Head: Engineering and Technology Development NRF-SARAO
Ms Molamu heads the Engineering and Technology Development at NRF-SARAO, fulfilling a childhood dream of working in the space sector. Armed with a BEng, BSc IT, and MBA in IT, she directs a multidisciplinary team of engineers spearheading South Africa's flagship radio astronomy projects. Her department is critical to the MeerKAT telescope, the global Square Kilometre Array telescopes, maintaining HartRAO, and developing novel cross-industry technologies.
She combines her expertise in telecommunications, optical tech, and power systems with a passion for transforming developing nations through technology. An entrepreneur (founding local/international tech startups) and MIT graduate (thesis on African innovation ecosystems), she champions using NRF-SARAO's engineering excellence to foster development in underserved communities, enhance national technical capacity, and drive youth STEM engagement.
Dr Zanele Ntshidi
Manager: Arid Lands Node
NRF-SAEON
Dr Zanele Ntshidi joined NRF-SAEON as the Manager of the Arid Lands Node in 2023. She has made exceptional contributions to science through her innovative, interdisciplinary water-related research. She has led and managed multi-disciplinary projects that demonstrate real-world impact, particularly in shaping evidence-based environmental policy, and sustainable land and water use practices.
Her contributions have enabled innovation in watershed governance, and her advocacy for citizen science has helped empower communities to participate in the monitoring and protection of river ecosystems, thereby bridging the gap between science and society. She actively mentors and supervises students from various South African universities, nurturing the next generation of environmental scientists. In 2024, she was crowned a Green Champion at the Mail & Guardian's Greening the Future Awards.
Dr Bonita de Swardt
Programme Manager: Strategic Partnerships for Human Capacity
NRF-SARAO
Dr Bonita de Swardt is the Programme Manager for Strategic Partnerships in Human Capacity Development at NRF-SARAO, where she drives transformative skills development initiatives across Africa. With a focus on science, technology, and innovation, she designs and implements flagship programmes that equip emerging researchers and professionals with cutting-edge digital and data science skills.
Dr de Swardt is a champion of international collaboration, forging impactful partnerships with institutions such as the UK's Research and Innovation, Australia's CSIRO and the European Union's Horizon programmes. In 2024, she joined the Advisory Board of InnoGlobal, contributing to digital and green-economy workforce transformation between Africa and Europe. By nurturing talent and fostering international collaboration, she is future-proofing Africa's STEM workforce.
Dr Danièl Groenewald
Head of SALT Astronomy Operations
NRF-SAAO
Dr Daniél Groenewald is the Head of Astronomy Operations for the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) at NRF-SAAO. Her career at NRF-SAAO started as a postdoctoral researcher, after which she was appointed as a SALT astronomer to work on the polarimetry mode of the telescope.
She has dedicated her work to the maintenance and improvement of SALT's polarimetry capability, which is uncommon among such large telescopes. She often participates in NRF-SAAO's job shadow program, which inspires learners and shows them what professional astronomers do. Dr Groenewald was the co-director of the 2023 International School for Young Astronomers, which aimed to train and expose postgraduate students from South Africa and Africa to cutting-edge Astronomy research and opportunities in the field.
Professor Francesca Porri
Senior Scientist
NRF-SAIAB
Prof Francesca Porri is a coastal ecologist whose research explores how environmental and biological factors shape coastal species across ecosystems such as rocky shores, mangroves, and urban shorelines. She pioneers innovative approaches to coastal ecological engineering by integrating marine science, Indigenous Knowledge, and the arts.
She leads the Coastal and Ocean Sciences Team (COST), comprising students, postdoctoral researchers, academic partners, and practitioner and Indigenous Knowledge holder collaborators. Together, they apply organism-to-system approaches to understand how coastal systems respond to climate change and human-induced pressures. Prof Porri is deeply committed to inclusive, action-oriented science and the development of early-career scientists. Her mentorship promotes scientific excellence, confidence, and a sense of belonging, positioning her as a respected and inspiring role model for the next generation of researchers and changemakers.
Ms Mpendulo Sibiya
Research Communication Officer
NRF Corporate
Ms Mpendulo Sibiya is a Research Communication Officer at the NRF, where she works to bridge the gap between scientific research and public understanding. With a Master's degree in Astronomy and Space Science, she is passionate about making science accessible and relevant to everyone.
She is widely recognised for her public talks on careers in astronomy and space science, and has delivered these inspirational sessions at schools, universities, and national exhibitions across the country. Her efforts aim to demystify science and encourage young people, especially girls, to imagine themselves as future scientists. By promoting equity in access to information and creating inclusive communication channels, she hopes to play a meaningful part in shaping a research ecosystem where excellence and impact are felt by all.
Professor Nicola James
Senior Scientist
NRF-SAIAB
Prof Nicola James's research focuses primarily on global and climate change as well as the importance of shallow coastal and estuarine habitats as nursery areas for juvenile marine fishes. Her work has produced 81 peer-reviewed publications and numerous technical reports. She has also published 25 papers on climate change, two book chapters and three briefing notes.
Her work has contributed to national and regional climate change and biodiversity initiatives including, among others, the estuaries component of South Africa's Third National Communication on Climate Change. Transformation, equity and capacity development are important components of Prof James's research as her research group is well-represented by female scientists, and young early-career and black researchers. She has graduated seven PhD, 14 MSc and 10 BSc Honours students.
Ms Zanele Kukuma
Software Engineer
NRF-SARAO
Ms Zanele Kukuma graduated from the University of the Western Cape with a degree in computer science. As a mid-level software engineer at NRF-SARAO, she contributes to projects such as the WebArchive, the Observation Planning Tool (OPT), and PAWS. She has co-authored two published papers
Unlocking Efficiency:
Python-Powered DOI Creation Automation, and SARAO Science Repository: Sustainable Use of MeerKAT Data.
She is an active mentor to junior colleagues, promoting their growth while enhancing her own leadership and knowledge-sharing skills. She is passionate about strengthening the engineering community by encouraging open dialogue, skills transfer, and a culture of collective problem-solving where all voices are valued. Ms Kukuma aspires to leave a lasting impact on the engineering community while championing inclusivity, mentorship, and collaborative innovation.
Ms Rianelda Louw
Machinist
NRF-SAAO
Ms Rianelda Louw has established herself as a highly skilled and dedicated CNC machinist within the Precision Fabrication Centre at NRF-SAAO. Her expertise in high-precision mechanical fabrication has been instrumental in supporting several of South Africa's most significant scientific and engineering endeavours.
She has played a key role in the fabrication of ultra-high-precision spectrographic slits for the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), contributing directly to the performance and reliability of one of the largest optical telescopes in the Southern Hemisphere. Her work requires not only technical accuracy but also an exceptional understanding of the tolerances and demands required by cutting-edge astronomical instrumentation. In addition, Ms Louw has contributed to the development and assembly of digital receivers for the Square Kilometre Array MeerKAT project.
Dr Lara Atkinson
Offshore Biodiversity Scientist
NRF-SAEON
Dr Lara Atkinson has been a leading Offshore Biodiversity Scientist at NRF-SAEON since 2010. Her work has significantly advanced foundational marine biodiversity science in South Africa and Africa. Among others, she led the publication of South Africa's first Offshore Marine Invertebrate Field Guide in 2018 and was the principal investigator of the national SeaMap project (2022–2025).
Dr Atkinson collaborates with offshore industries to promote sustainable utilisation of marine resources and is an Honorary Research Associate with the University of Cape Town, where she dedicates time to capacity development through lecturing, student supervision and participation in education outreach activities. Most recently, she co-led the first science leg of the OceanX-OceanQuest Around Africa research expedition, which brought together early-career researchers from six African countries to gain their first deep-sea research experience.
Ms Sydil Kupa
Software engineer
NRF-SARAO
Ms Sydil Kupa obtained her MSc in Physics at Rhodes University, where she developed an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to assist astronomers in segmenting radio sources from the high-resolution MeerKAT images. She currently works as a software engineer at NRF-SARAO where she controls and monitors the telescope and uses her AI expertise to optimise the telescope's utilisation.
Noticing a gap in the application of AI within the field of Astronomy, she took the initiative to become a leading voice in bridging these domains. Notably, she has presented her research in seven countries. Beyond research, Ms Kupa is deeply involved in strengthening the scientific ecosystem. Her mentorship of emerging scientists, from high school learners to early-career researchers, reflects her commitment to capacity building and inclusivity in STEM.
Dr Faith Jumbi
Hydrologist
NRF-SAEON
Dr Faith Jumbi is a postdoctoral Fellow at NRF-SAEON's Fynbos Node. Specialising in hydrology, she advocates for water security. She has conducted studies in the environmental science sphere with a focus on mitigating the impacts of climate change and preserving water resources.
She has created models that have been used to forecast different scenarios aimed at the management of natural resources in a world where resources such as water are greatly affected by the changing climate. Her work is well published and recognised locally and internationally. Dr Jumbi's work has had a great impact on school learners and the general public. She works with a team that prioritises environmental education for a sustainable society and collaborates with researchers at different universities in these efforts.
Ms Angelique McDonald
GIS Professional
NRF-SAEON
Ms Angelique McDonald is a certified GISc Technologist based at NRF-SAEON and seconded to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment. She has provided geospatial support for a wide variety of projects, including marine spatial planning, marine protected areas, oil and gas, environmental, mining, energy, and land remediation efforts across South Africa and Africa.
She is skilled in geographic information systems, spatial data management, metadata, raster imagery processing, spatial databases, and thematic mapping for scientific and decision-making tools. Additionally, she offers advice on spatial data standards and emerging technologies. Ms McDonald actively mentors young women, especially from marginalised communities, to help develop technical skills, navigate public-sector environments, and build confidence. She has also trained interns and junior scientists, promoting a culture of inclusion, knowledge sharing, and long-term capacity building.
Dr Taryn Murray
Instrument Scientist
NRF-SAIAB
Dr Taryn Murray joined the NRF-SAIAB Marine Science team in 2017 as an instrument scientist. With a passion for sustainable management and the improvement of local conservation efforts, she conducts research on the movement ecology of several important fish, shark and ray species along the South African coastline.
She currently wears two hats at NRF-SAIAB—one as a researcher, and one as the manager of the Acoustic Tracking Array Platform, a nationwide marine science programme. She is equally passionate about teaching and mentoring the next generation of researchers through active student supervision, as well as communicating research findings to the public. Her research, conducted together with collaborators from across the country, seeks to contribute to science-based solutions for preserving our valuable biodiversity and ecosystems.
Dr Jennifer Veitch
Oceanographer
NRF-SAEON
Dr Jennifer Veitch is a physical oceanographer who uses numerical models as a tool to better understand ocean processes. She is based at NRF-SAEON, where she heads up the Sustainable Ocean Modelling Initiative: a South African Approach (SOMISANA). She has driven both scientific excellence and societal impact through the development of operational ocean forecasting systems in a region where such capacity has historically been limited.
Her team's work directly informs decision-making for national stakeholders such as the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, with real-world applications ranging from tracking oil spills and search-and-rescue operations to supporting the aquaculture and fisheries sectors. To achieve the human capacity required to sustain SOMISANA, Dr Veitch regularly delivers lectures and supervises students from universities across South Africa.
Ms Sibongile Nong
Programme Manager
NRF-SARAO
With 24 years in engineering, Ms Sibongile Nong has led multi-disciplinary major infrastructure, energy, Bus Rapid Transit and Innovative Building Technology (IBT) projects. She is among the first African women to manufacture IBT products, training and coaching 50 women entrepreneurs in the IBT field.
She now contributes her expertise to the world-class radio telescope, MeerKAT, at NRF-SARAO. She leads the MeerKAT Band 5 and Hosting Infrastructure projects, supporting South Africa's role in the Square Kilometre Array. She is also a Deputy Chairperson for Women of Worth, inspiring youth through school outreach. Her journey reflects a deep commitment to STEM through mentoring, public speaking and inspiring the next generation of women leaders. Ms Nong was recognised for her impact with the CWENA's 'Disrupter of the Year in 4IR' Award.
Ms Makhanana Nkhwashu
Liaison Officer
NRF-SAASTA
Ms Makhanana Nkhwashu has an MTech in Chemical Engineering. She is passionate about and specialises in mathematical modelling, simulation, and process control, focusing on carbon dioxide capture and transportation. Her speciality reflects her technical expertise and dedication to tackling climate change.
Her work involves computational models implemented in Python on the Spyder console, and has resulted in three publications, 10 citations, and currently 520 reads. At NRF-SAASTA, she works with projects such as STEM careers and educator development and oversees the development and distribution of educational resources and training workshops. She helped develop virtual role modelling sessions during the COVID-19 lockdown, which helped foster collaborations and partnerships in project implementation. Ms Nkhwashu is currently pursuing her DEng in Chemical Engineering.
Dr Kerry-Ann Van der Walt
PDP Postdoctoral Research Fellow
NRF-SAIAB
Dr Kerry-Ann Van der Walt is a marine ecophysiologist with a PhD in Ichthyology whose research investigates the thermal performance of marine organisms and the impacts of climate change on urban coastal systems. She employs techniques such as respirometry experiments, remote underwater video analysis and eDNA barcoding to study how coastal species respond to environmental changes.
Her research contributes to solving societal challenges and informing decision-making on coastal defence strategies and sustainable ecological engineering solutions. She works closely with NRF-SAIAB scientists and international experts to co-develop innovative approaches and foster knowledge exchange in coastal ecosystem management. She is committed to science communication and fosters strong relationships with science professionals and the public to translate complex scientific concepts into actionable insights.
Ms Kathryn Rosie
Mechanical engineer
NRF-SAAO
Ms Kathryn Rosie is a mechanical engineer at NRF-SAAO, where she works on cutting-edge technology development and the mechanical design of instruments for the facility's suite of telescopes. Her ability to bridge the gap between scientists' ideas and engineering requirements has proven essential for numerous projects that allow NRF-SAAO's telescopes to remain at the forefront of international science.
In particular, Ms Rosie has been responsible for the mechanical design and development of a cryostat that will enable astronomers to study the light from very faint, distant astronomical sources in more detail than before. She also played a key role in the design, manufacture and commissioning of an instrument selector port that dramatically reduces the time and effort required from astronomers to switch between instruments.
Ms Barbara Ojur
Software Engineer
NRF-SARAO
With a BSc in electrical and computer engineering and a Master's in space studies from UCT, Ms Barbara Ojur brings both technical depth and strategic insight to her work supporting NRF-SARAO's cutting-edge radio astronomy research. She is a member of the International Scientific Advisory Committee for ICALEPCS, a global conference series advancing accelerator and experimental physics control systems.
She is a passionate advocate for STEM and gender equity in tech, believes in mentorship, and aims to inspire others through her belief that science and engineering can tangibly improve the world. Ms Ojur is committed to making the field more inclusive, collaborative, and innovative. Her values of resilience, service, and creative leadership guide everything she does from engineering systems that enable astronomical discoveries to building communities that uplift and empower
Ms Nicole du Plessis
Project Coordinator
NRF-SAEON
As a project coordinator and science communicator, Ms Nicole du Plessis leads strategic ocean science initiatives at both national and international levels. She plays a pivotal role in shaping collaborative programmes that bridge scientific knowledge and societal benefit and has contributed to the advancement of Blue Economy dialogues, and inclusive science networks in Africa and the Indian Ocean region.
Her career has focused on enabling and amplifying science that matters, particularly science that informs policy, strengthens regional collaboration, and creates opportunities for women and youth in marine and environmental research. Ms Du Plessis cares deeply about representation and belonging in science. Through programme design, mentoring, and event curation, she works to create environments where diverse perspectives are both welcomed and sought out.
Dr Michele Toucher
Scientist
NRF-SAEON
Dr Michele Toucher is a scientist at NRF-SAEON's Grasslands Node and has built a distinguished career in global change hydrological research. She actively contributes to national science-policy processes, including input into the Department of Water and Sanitation's National Status of Water Reports.
Her expertise has led to recent invitations to speak at the GSSA Policy Workshop and brief the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment on bush encroachment impacts on water. Dr Toucher is a committed mentor, known for her holistic, empowering supervision style. She has successfully graduated over 20 postgraduate students and is currently supervising three MSc and five PhD candidates. With more than 60 peer-reviewed publications, she advances impactful, interdisciplinary research that informs both science and policy in support of water and ecosystem resilience in South Africa.
Dr Tamaryn Morris
Ocean and Polar Coordinator
NRF-SAEON
As a physical oceanographer, Dr Tamaryn Morris has extensive in-field experience in the South West Indian and South Atlantic Oceans using a variety of ocean observing instruments and platforms. She oversees a team of 10 people and is the lead coordinator for the Ocean20 engagement group under the G20 Presidency for South Africa for 2025.
As co-lead of the GOOS Boundary Current Exemplar Project — endorsed by the UN Ocean Decade —she is instrumental in building international observing collaborations. She champions collaboration and capacity development, serving on key global panels such as the Argo Steering Team; SOOPIP's Ships of Opportunity Implementation Panel; and GOOS Task Teams, to ensure South Africa's contribution to global observation networks. Her leadership inspires emerging ocean scientists and strengthens national and international marine science communities.
Dr Yonela Sithole
Postdoctoral Researcher
NRF-SAIAB
Dr Yonela Sithole holds a PhD in ichthyology and specialises in the taxonomy and systematics of African freshwater and marine fishes. Her work integrates morphological and molecular tools, placing her at the forefront of modern taxonomy. In response to the critical shortage of taxonomic expertise in Africa, she is actively involved in capacity development through mentoring students, interns, and training early-career researchers.
She has participated in three ecosystem surveys, including one as a fish expert, supporting accurate species identification and training African researchers in taxonomy, data and sample collection. Dr Sithole has discovered and formally described 10 new fish species from Southern and Central Africa, which has contributed directly to the expansion of our knowledge base of Africa's aquatic biodiversity and sustainable fisheries.
Ms Aneshaka Bothma
RFI Engineer
NRF-SARAO
Ms Aneshka Bothma is an innovative engineer specialising in the complex field of electromagnetic compatibility. She holds a Master's degree in electronics and telecommunications and, through her studies and experience at the various EMC facilities of NRF-SARAO, she focuses on RFI/EMC testing, specifically building a solid theoretical foundation and complementing it with innovative practical solutions for real-world problems.
She overcame significant health challenges by conquering cancer (twice!) during her academic journey. Her contributions include research on advanced EMI shielding techniques and the optimisation of reverberation chamber performance in the low-frequency bands for radio astronomy observations. As secretary of the South Africa EMC Interest Group, she promotes knowledge and skills exchange to not only strengthen the research industry but also encourage young engineers and underrepresented groups to engage actively in this field.
Ms Sarah Buchner
Science Operations Lead
NRF-SARAO
As the Science Operations Lead at NRF-SARAO, Ms Sarah Buchner oversees the scheduling of scientific activities for the MeerKAT radio telescope. With over two decades of experience in radio astronomy, she has played a pivotal role in ensuring the scientific readiness and operational excellence of one of the world's most sensitive radio telescopes. Her work bridges cutting-edge research with technical implementation, enabling MeerKAT to deliver world-class data to astronomers globally.
Her pioneering work in signal verification, pulsar observations, and real-time data quality assurance has enabled groundbreaking discoveries. Beyond her operations work, she actively mentors graduate students and contributes to workshops, data schools, and training sessions, particularly those aimed at empowering women and historically underrepresented groups in astronomy. She is a quiet yet powerful role model for resilience and integrity in science.
Ms Susan Janse van Rensburg
Node Coordinator: Grasslands
NRF-SAEON
Ms Susan Janse van Rensburg is an ecologist with over 20 years of experience facilitating societally relevant research. She currently serves as Node Coordinator of the NRF-SAEON Grasslands Node, where she has pioneered one of South Africa's flagship long-term global change research platforms. Her work spans protected area management, science-policy translation, and multi-stakeholder programme design—integrating ecology, hydrology, climate, and socio-economic systems.
Passionate about building resilience in rural areas vulnerable to climate change, she promotes the co-creation of knowledge with local communities to deliver practical solutions. A strong advocate for inclusivity and transformation, she mentors students, several of whom have received academic recognition. Known for her systems thinking, she bridges science and implementation, advancing collective impact and sustainability through interdisciplinary research that is both locally and globally relevant.
Ms Munira Hoosain
Doctoral Student
NRF-SAAO
Ms Munira Hoosain is a Doctoral student at NRF-SAAO and the University of Cape Town (UCT), working on studies of the hydrogen gas in distant galaxies observed by MeerKAT. She aims to improve our understanding of the evolution of neutral gas at high redshifts (large distances from the Earth) and different environments using some of the deepest MeerKAT observations to date.
She participates in various initiatives to inspire school learners to become astronomers or take an interest in STEM. These include the job shadow program at NRF-SAAO; student visits to the UCT Astronomy Department and talks at the International Astronomy Union's General Assembly. Ms Hoosain has appeared in the Women in STEM edition of African Science Stars and was a recipient of a DSTI-Ndoni Mcunu Fellowship.
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Mail & Guardian
9 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
Guardians of the Green: Conserving South Africa's medicinal heritage through the pepper-bark tree
The pepper-bark tree project incorporates collaboration with traditional healers, traders and harvesters (EWT Pepper-bark Project) For thousands of years, Africa's landscapes have yielded plants with healing powers, sustaining not only In South Africa, these Historically, cultural rituals, protocols and practices and a profound cultural reverence for nature helped manage plant harvesting sustainably, explains But as human populations have grown and rural populations migrated to urban areas, demand has increasingly outstripped the available sources of many plant species. This, together with the erosion of harvesting controls and extensive habitat transformation through other human activities, has placed considerable pressure on numerous medicinal plant species. South Africa alone One of the most iconic medicinal plant species among them is the ( Warburgia salutaris ), long revered in Southern Africa for its healing properties. It is used for everything from respiratory ailments to digestive issues. In 2019, the EWT launched an integrated conservation project focused on this species in Limpopo, later expanding the scope of the project to include additional species and geographic locations in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Gauteng. Native to montane forests, thickets and woodlands in these regions, the pepper-bark tree has also been found in Mozambique and eSwatini but is believed to be extinct in the wild in Zimbabwe. The Native to montane forests, thickets and woodlands in these regions, the pepper-bark tree has also been found in Mozambique and eSwatini but is believed to be extinct in the wild in Zimbabwe. Its bark, roots and rootbark have historically been in high demand for traditional medicine across Southern Africa. Encouragingly, more recently, many of its therapeutic properties have been corroborated scientifically. 'From a conservation perspective, its leaves were found to contain the same phytochemicals as the other plant parts that were traditionally used for medicine,' Botha says, noting that the substitution of leaves for bark, roots or rootbark significantly reduces harvesting impact. 'We're starting to see healers and others, also in the local markets, also start using the leaves because people are finding that they are as effective in medicinal treatments as the bark and the root in many cases … One species will be used for very diverse, different uses in many cases and the pepper-bark isn't an exception.' Over the past three decades, national and regional conservationists have partnered with traditional healers and private sector players to mitigate over-harvesting through cultivation. More than 80 000 seedlings have already been distributed to traditional practitioners and community members. The Pepper-bark Tree Project incorporates collaboration with traditional healers, traders and harvesters to increase the diversity of species that are being cultivated in many areas. 'In addition, we are implementing strategies alongside private and communal landowners to protect and restore habitats. A seed viability assessment has also been conducted as the species germination rates in some populations are low,' Botha says. To secure habitat for the pepper-bark tree and other species, the EWT has collaborated with the Limpopo department of development and tourism and private landowners to secure formal protection of land through South Africa's Biodiversity Stewardship Programme. More than 70 hectares of invasive vegetation has been cleared from pepper-bark tree habitats, an effort that has triggered the reappearance of tree seedlings in areas where they had long been absent. 'We are also engaging with several communities in areas where pepper-bark trees and other medicinal species are being intensively harvested to explore opportunities to support them to improve harvesting controls and remind people of the importance of their biocultural heritage.' Harvesters frequently come from outside the area 'and, where possible, we invite them to join this national effort' to improve the sustainability of medicinal plants for now and for future generations. The EWT has engaged with about 300 traditional healers from more than 20 communities in Limpopo to identify strategies to reduce threats to wild medicinal plant populations. Training and education are vital pillars of the programme. In February and March, the programme collaborated with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (Sanbi) to develop and implement training on the cultivation of medicinal plants. 'This training will gradually be implemented across all our project areas to support cultivation and lay the foundation for scaling up these production efforts over time.' Following visits to Sanbi's The training incorporated demonstrations of various cultivation and propagation techniques, discussions on legislation and the permitting system and engagement on challenges people are facing in accessing medicinal plants. Each participant received seedlings and a starter pack to begin growing medicinal plants immediately. 'Our team follows up with the groups regularly to monitor the survival of plants and any challenges that they may be experiencing. We are also in the process of sourcing additional species for them to start growing,' Botha says. She notes how, in many rural communities, traditional harvesting was once guided by strict controls to ensure wild plant populations thrived. While some of these have faded under modern pressures, the knowledge and values remain. 'There's also an open commons challenge. You'll find that people will go to a site that is open access and then they know that, if they don't harvest those plants, then somebody else is going to come in and do it.' Traditional healers themselves still try to follow very strict harvesting protocols and 'there are a lot of cultural protocols associated with harvesting that are very, very important'. 'There are some types of plants that need to be collected from the wild but a lot of the healers whom I knew were growing plants before we started, whether it was in this project or projects I've worked on in Mpumalanga or other areas.' Many medicinal plant species are slow-growing or 'sometimes the seed may be recalcitrant' and it can be difficult to actually propagate them. 'The work that we're doing is helping the healers and other stakeholders to strengthen their cultivation skills and then also to provide the diversity of species that they actually need.' This is because most healers use a very diverse suite of species, Botha says. 'It's really important that they're able to access them legally without having to worry about being arrested if someone is caught with a bag of plants.' Hope lies in collaboration and the pepper-bark project is proof that the EWT is not only conserving a species but also reinforcing community agency, cultural heritage and sustainable livelihoods. Crucially, this conservation initiative is not about imposing modern conservation ideas — it's about reawakening ancient knowledge and co-creating solutions. 'Traditional healers are as passionate about sustainability as we are and in fact, I found that most community groups are,' Botha says. 'It's a myth that people don't actually care about the environment because they come from a different background, whether it's socio-economic or cultural. The healers are as enthusiastic about the work we do as we are.' This deep ancestral and spiritual connection with nature runs through most traditional healers' views of the environment. 'People, generally, in our modern society are losing our connections to nature because of technological advancements etcetera. More of us are more fixated on our phones or the latest gadget than we are concerned about walking in nature and experiencing nature in the way that perhaps was more easily accessible to people in the past.' One part of the programme's mission is to help people reconnect with nature, whether through visiting a botanical garden or walking in a local nature reserve. 'That deep spiritual connection that people have with the land, in this case particularly the healers … it's a case of reconnecting with nature and rekindling those relationships so that we in that way are able to foster more care for the planet.' It's incredibly inspiring work, she says. 'I don't think there's been a day where I haven't learned something new or a day where I haven't met amazing people or reconnected with amazing people from all walks of life.' Plants have been valued for their curative powers for millennia, not only as traditional medicines, but also in conventional medicine. 'Achieving our goals to reduce threats to species of conservation concern at scale will clearly take time and collaborative efforts across partner organisations and sectors to enable us to synergise our resources and share the knowledge, understanding and collective effort that is required to avert extinctions.' Critically, the needs of the poorest consumers, who depend on these plants for their healthcare, must be at the forefront. 'Many simply cannot afford more expensive alternatives and it is vital that we co-develop strategies to cultivate plants that are both affordable and aligned to the cultural protocols associated with the use of these medicines, so that their therapeutic values are retained or even, in some instances, restored.' People from all walks of life, including traditional healers, don't want to see the loss of their own natural resources. 'They value them in most cases for the intrinsic value of the plant as well as the fact that it is part of their livelihoods,' Botha adds.
Mail & Guardian
15 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
Rhinos go nuclear: Scientists use cutting edge deterrent to foil traffickers
A white rhino is being monitored while it is sedated and awaiting the insertion of a dosage of radioisotopes into its horn by members of the Rhisotope Project. What if Led by The conservation initiative is the brainchild of researchers from 'We have demonstrated, beyond scientific doubt, that the process is completely safe for the animal and effective in making the horn detectable through international customs nuclear security systems,' said Larkin, the project's chief scientific officer and the director of the radiation and health physics unit at Wits. Six months ago, radioisotopes were embedded into the horns of 20 rhinos in the Unesco-listed Waterberg Biosphere in the pilot phase. Blood tests and veterinary monitoring showed no adverse effects on the animals from the isotopes levels used. Using a technique known as biological dosimetry, researchers cultured blood samples and examined the formation of micronuclei in white blood cells — a proven indicator of cellular damage. No such damage was found. 'This is just one example of how Wits University's researchers work and think innovatively, stepping out of the clinical environments of their laboratories to bring bold, creative solutions to some of the world's toughest challenges — often going above and beyond in their commitment to make a real difference,' Wits vice-chancellor and principal Zeblon Vilakazi said in a statement. Detection tests using 3D-printed rhino horns — designed to mimic real keratin — were run through carry-on luggage, air cargo and even inside full shipping containers. In each case, even a single horn with significantly lower levels of radioactivity than what would be used in practice, successfully triggered alarms in radiation detectors, Larkin said. The Rhisotope Project was launched to counter the high levels of the poaching of South Africa's rhinos, with more than 10 000 of the animals lost to the crime in the past decade. Although the focus is on rhinos, especially the critically endangered black rhino and near-threatened white rhino, Larkin sees broader potential. There will be a number of different ways in which the poacher will learn not to come onto a property to poach rhinos, the project team said. 'There will be strategic signage posted at regular intervals on the perimeter fencing, there will be an extensive local education effort to inform residents in the area that these animals have been treated, and more generally a social media campaign. 'The marking of those animals that have been treated on a reserve will be in a manner agreed upon by the rhino owner or the reserve management team. The research team will be looking into the pros and cons of an obvious mark placed on the animal, post treatment.' Larkin said the methodology could be adapted to protect other endangered species such as pangolins and elephants. 'We're already in discussions about applying this to elephant ivory … I hope this significantly curtails wildlife smuggling of these megaherbivores.' These radioisotopes will provide an 'affordable, safe and easily applicable method' to create long-lasting and detectable horn markers that cause zero harm to the animals and environment. Collaboration with customs agencies and international security bodies is under way, while the researchers are also in discussions with airlines, because much of the illicit trade travels as commercial luggage and freight. 'We'll keep watching what fantastic organisations like Traffic [the wildlife trade monitoring network] are doing in terms of 'We recognise that we're in an arms race, so the research stuff has not stopped. Me and my colleagues at Necsa [Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa] are having regular meetings … to look at other ways we can use nuclear science to devalue rhino horn.' On whether the end user will be harmed by ingesting some of the radiation, the project team notes that a person would have to consume a whole rhino horn to cause any harm to themselves. 'The intention is not actually to harm the end user but to use their natural fear of radioactive materials to dissuade them from wishing to purchase or otherwise acquire radioactive horn. They might get sick if they consume enough of the horn.' With the Rhisotope Project now a registered nonprofit and fully operational from this month, the team is urging private rhino owners, conservation NGOs and national authorities to come forward. 'We've got to work with forward-thinking, early-adopter rhino owners in South Africa and in Southern Africa and wherever else there are rhinos in significant numbers,' Larkin said. 'Once they show it works, the others will come along by necessity, dare I say. Eventually, I hope we can bring big players like SANParks on board and then we can really give these poachers a proper kicking in some ways.' Rafael Mariano Grossi, the director general of the IAEA, said this project exemplifies how nuclear science can be applied in novel ways to address global problems. 'By leveraging existing nuclear security infrastructure, we can help protect one of the world's most iconic and endangered species.' The IAEA said tagging rhino horns with radioactive material makes the horns detectable by radiation portal monitors (RPMs), which are already deployed at borders, ports and airports worldwide. 'These RPMs, commonly used to detect nuclear and other radioactive material, can now be harnessed against wildlife crime. 'With millions of vehicles and people crossing borders every day, the use of an estimated 10 000 RPMs worldwide has become a critical tool for detecting unauthorised transboundary movements of nuclear and other radioactive material.' Rhisotope Project chief executive Jessica Babich put it simply: 'Our goal is to deploy the Rhisotope technology at scale to help protect one of Africa's most iconic and threatened species. By doing so, we safeguard not just rhinos but a vital part of our natural heritage.' The project team said the final testing phase had been made possible through the collaboration of the IAEA, Wits, Necsa, the Limpopo Rhino Orphanage and the Unesco Waterberg Biosphere.
Mail & Guardian
19 hours ago
- Mail & Guardian
Newly discovered parasite named after Prof Louis du Preez
Naming species after scientists is a long-standing tradition in biology. Taxonomic immortality can take many forms. For Prof Louis du Preez of North-West University (NWU), it comes with a twist of humour and a splash of irony: a newly discovered parasite, Latergator louisdupreezi, now bears his name. The organism, identified by American researchers, belongs to a group of ocular parasites that inhabit the eyes of freshwater turtles and the hippopotamus. Prof du Preez knows this family well, perhaps too well. 'I did my post-graduate studies on this group of parasites,' he says. 'I've been searching for a parasite on the eye of a crocodilian for 30 years. I always suspected that one day it would be found on the eye of a crocodile.' His quest was nothing if not thorough. 'I've personally examined about 20 crocodiles, whether dissected or butchered on crocodile farms, looking for this parasite,' he recalls. The search extended beyond Africa. 'In the USA, I was part of a team that examined 105 alligators following an annual alligator hunt to control the numbers, to see if we could find this parasite, but we couldn't find any.' The breakthrough came elsewhere. A team in the United States finally found the elusive creature, lodged, as suspected, on the eye of an alligator. In recognition of his decades-long pursuit, they named the species after him. 'We always suspected they would be found on the eye of an alligator. So I feel very honoured by this. But I think the public might sympathise with me for this honour,' he says with his tongue firmly in his cheek. Naming species after scientists is a long-standing tradition in biology, both as a mark of respect and, occasionally, gentle mischief. In Prof du Preez's case, Latergator louisdupreezi is both a tribute to a lifetime spent studying the wriggling, often overlooked creatures that make their living in or on other animals, and a wink at the peculiar intimacy between parasite and parasitologist. For Prof du Preez, the find is a reminder of science's patient grind and the serendipity that occasionally rewards it. For the rest of us, it is an insight into the strange corners of zoology where a decades-long search can end, not in a cure or a grand theory, but in a microscopic squatter with an illustrious new name. * This is not the first time a new species has been named after Prof Du Preez. In 2023, he was honoured by having a newly discovered Malagasy frog species named after him. The honour was bestowed by a group of German scientists from the University of Braunschweig, Landesmuseum in Darmstadt, and the Zoological Museum in München, in recognition of Prof Du Preez's substantial contributions to understanding the flatworm parasites of Malagasy anurans. The new species is now formally named and described as Blommersia dupreezi.
