The passing of Professor Keolebogile Shirley Motaung has led to an outpouring of sadness from the scientific and academic communities, with Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, expressing his deep condolences.
Prof. Motaung, affectionately known as “Prof Keo,” was celebrated as one of South Africa’s most decorated Black female scientists and academics. Her career, spanning over two decades, left an indelible mark through transformative research, innovation, and dedicated mentorship.
Key Contributions and Achievements
Prof. Motaung’s influence was felt across multiple sectors:
- Biomedical Innovation: She was a distinguished biomedical scientist with seminal contributions in stem cells, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine.
- Entrepreneurship and Commercialization: She was the founder and CEO of Global Health Biotech. The company’s most notable product, La-Africa Soother, is a plant-based anti-inflammatory ointment developed from indigenous medicinal plants, offering natural relief for muscle and joint aches, particularly popular among athletes and women.
- Academic Leadership: Prof. Motaung served as the Chair of the Female Academic Leaders Fellowship at the Nelson Mandela University Research Chair in Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion, driving research that linked innovation, commercialization, and entrepreneurship.
Dedication to Empowerment and Development
Minister Nzimande highlighted Prof. Motaung’s fierce commitment to capacity building and national development goals. She was deeply passionate about the advancement of young Black female scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs, making significant strides in increasing the number of Black female graduates in STEAMI (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Innovation) and contributing to job creation.
Her exceptional leadership extended globally, with contributions to organizations such as the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) and the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) Board.
Recognised Excellence
Prof. Motaung was a recipient of numerous prestigious national and international honours, including the SAWIL Trailblazers’ Award and the Distinguished Woman Scientist Award from the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
Minister Nzimande stated that her work was fundamentally driven by a commitment to change the lives of ordinary people through education, science, and entrepreneurship. He concluded by urging the nation to honor her legacy by drawing inspiration to ensure more Black girls achieve their dreams in science, academia, and business.
