Pretoria: In a heartfelt tribute, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, called on scientists to always put humanity at the heart of their work-a principle that defined the life and legacy of Professor Keolebogile Shirley Motaung.

According to South African Government News Agency, the Minister delivered a speech at the memorial service in Pretoria for Motaung, who passed away last week. Motaung served as the Chair of the Female Academic Leaders Fellowship at the Financial Research and Entrepreneurship Foundation – Nelson Mandela University Research Chair in Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion, where she led transformative research that connected innovation, commercialisation, and entrepreneurship.

She was the founder and CEO of Global Health Biotech, which is best known for developing La-Africa Soother-a plant-based anti-inflammatory ointment made from indigenous medicinal plants. The ointment effectively relieves muscle and joint aches, offering athletes and women a natural alternative for anti-inflammatory relief.

The Minister emphasized the importance of addressing real-world problems through scientific research. He noted that one of the driving forces behind Motaung’s founding of Global Health Biotech was to address graduate unemployment, a mission she advanced by making her PhD students shareholders in the company.

Even with her numerous national and international honours, Motaung dedicated time to mentoring thousands of young, black, and female scientists and entrepreneurs. Nzimande highlighted her commitment to integrating indigenous knowledge into research and development, aiming to make research responsive to the lived realities of ordinary people.

Nzimande urged all public research institutions to focus on proactively finding sustainable solutions for issues like poverty, inequality, unemployment, gender-based violence, energy security, climate change, and cancer in South Africa. He also stressed that Motaung’s life exemplified that black people, especially black women, are capable of significant contributions and innovations in the field of science.

In closing, Nzimande conveyed condolences on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa and expressed gratitude for Motaung’s selfless service to the country, emphasizing the empowerment of marginalized youth as a fitting tribute to her legacy.