Media statement

On Tuesday, 26 May 2009 outstanding contributions to science, engineering, technology and innovation (SETI) were acknowledged at the 11th NSTF Awards gala dinner, held at the Emperor's Palace, Kempton Park.

The MRC’s co-director of the South African Medical Research Council/University of the Witwatersrand Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit, Professor Shabir Madhi, won the prestigious NRF TW Kambule Award for a Senior Black Male Researcher over the last 5-10 years – for intense research into the killer diseases of children at the 11th NSTF Awards gala dinner, held at the Emperor’s Palace, Kempton Park last night.

Three other MRC scientists, Wentzel Gelderblom, Amanda Lochner and Dan J Stein together with The Health Promotion Research & Development Unit were finalists.

These Awards are unique in that they recognise all SETI practitioners across the system of innovation, including not only researchers, but also individuals who have contributed in other ways; teams who have developed innovations through organisations and institutions; individuals who have played a valuable mentorship role for young researchers, and science communicators
The National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF) Awards are unique in SA, recognising the outstanding contributions of individuals and groups of individuals to Science, Engineering, Technology, and Innovation (SETI) and therefore afford an opportunity for recognition and celebration to all practising scientists, engineers and technologists across the system of innovation. The ‘Education Recognition Programme’ of the NSTF hosts certain achievers in Science and Mathematics in the School System at the Awards Gala Dinner, and recognises and rewards them in various ways.

The NSTF is a broadly-representative stakeholder body for all SETI (science, engineering, technology and innovation) organizations in South Africa, which seeks to influence policy formulation and delivery. The NSTF was established in 1995, and has a proud history of involvement with SETI policy issues and the promotion of discussion about SETI matters.