SAMRC Celebrates Excellence in Health Research at 12th Scientific Merit Awards
The South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) honoured two of its former leaders, Prof Glenda Gray and Prof Johnny Mahlangu, at the 12th SAMRC Scientific Merit Awards, recognising their enduring contributions to health research and institutional leadership in South Africa.
Prof Gray, former SAMRC President and Chief Executive Officer, and Prof Mahlangu, former SAMRC Board Chairperson, both received the President Award, one of the organisation’s highest honours.
The President and CEO of the SAMRC, Prof Ntobeko Ntusi, said the conferral of the President Award on Prof Gray and Prof Mahlangu highlights the importance of leadership in creating an enabling environment for scientific excellence.
“During her tenure, Prof Gray played a central role in strengthening the SAMRC’s scientific output and public health relevance, while Prof Mahlangu’s stewardship as Board Chairperson helped reinforce governance and strategic direction,” said Prof Ntusi.
In a further mark of distinction, Prof Gray also received the Platinum Scientific Merit Award, alongside Prof Soraya Seedat of Stellenbosch University. The Platinum Award represented the highest level of scientific recognition conferred by the SAMRC and acknowledged sustained excellence and international impact in medical and health sciences.
The Scientific Merit Awards, now in their 12th year, celebrated researchers across different career stages whose work contributed to improving health outcomes, informing policy, and strengthening South Africa’s research capacity. The awards spanned multiple categories, from emerging scientists to senior researchers and research leaders.
The Gold Awards were presented to Prof Yahya Choonara (University of the Witwatersrand), Prof Jonathan Peter (University of Cape Town / UCT Lung Institute / Groote Schuur Hospital), Distinguished Prof Anneke Hesseling (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine), and Prof Nelesh Govender (University of the Witwatersrand), in recognition of their substantial and sustained contributions to health research.
The Silver Awards, which acknowledged mid-career researchers demonstrating consistent productivity and growing national and international recognition, were awarded to Prof Omobola Okoh (University of Fort Hare / SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Research Unit), Dr Simone Richardson (University of the Witwatersrand), Prof Regan Solomons (Stellenbosch University), and Prof Olalekan Ayo-Yusuf (University of Pretoria).
Emerging researchers were recognised through the Bronze Awards, with recipients including Dr Nolonwabo Nontongana (University of Fort Hare / SAMRC Microbial Water Quality Monitoring Research Unit), Prof Conran Joseph (Stellenbosch University), Dr Nompumelelo Mkhwanazi (University of KwaZulu-Natal), Prof Phambili Shai (SAMRC), and Prof Nqobile Mkolo (Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University).
The SAMRC also conferred Research Capacity Development (RCD) Award on Prof Wilhelmina ten Ham-Baloyi (Nelson Mandela University), Prof Mathildah Mokgatle (Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University), Prof Joyce Tsoka-Gwegweni (University of the Free State), and Prof Refilwe Phaswana-Mafuya (University of Johannesburg). The RCD award recognises exceptional contributions to mentorship, training, and the development of future health researchers.
Collectively, the award recipients reflected the breadth of South Africa’s health research ecosystem, spanning universities, SAMRC research units, and international institutions, and addressing priority health challenges through multidisciplinary science.
“The SAMRC Scientific Merit Awards play a critical role in promoting a culture of excellence, recognising research that informed policy and practice, and strengthening South Africa’s global standing in health research. By celebrating achievement across career stages, the awards also aim to inspire the next generation of scientists to pursue research that responds to the country’s most urgent health needs,” said Prof Ntusi.
View the 12th Scientific Merit Award Winners