South Africa’s leading researchers were honoured yesterday by the National Research Foundation (NRF) here at its 28th annual awards ceremony, held in the Boardwalk Hotel.

The NRF awards honour leading researchers in their respective fields, on the basis of peer review and following international best practice. The researchers’ work is assessed according to, inter alia, their contributions to their fields of study, with the focus on quality and impact.

The awards evening was held in Port Elizabeth as part of a series of presentations marking the rediscovery of the coelacanth seventy-five years ago in East London.  The coelacanth had been regarded as extinct until it was rediscovered by Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer of the East London Museum. This primordial fish is therefore often described as a living fossil.

The recipients of the three special NRF awards this year are:

Professor Tebello Nyokong of Rhodes University, for her life-long contribution (see report alongside).

Professor Maano  Ramutsindela of the University of Cape Town, for his work in transforming the scientific research environment; and

Professor Neil Coville of the University of the Witwatersrand for his development of research capacity among institutions of higher education in the country.

Dr Albert van Jaarsveld, head of the NRF, said: “The quality of the research speaks volumes for the good work that is being done in South Africa’s National System of Innovation and the huge steps which the country is taking in its progress towards making a contribution to the creation of scientific knowledge. “

Article Source: Die Burger (Eastern Cape)