JOHANNESBURG, May 20: Two Indian-origin scientists from South Africa were among 38 people honoured with the country’s highest civilian awards for their outstanding contribution to public health.
Professors Salim Abdool Karim and Keertan Dheda were conferred the prestigious Order of Mapungubwe by President Cyril Ramaphosa at a ceremony in Pretoria on Tuesday.
The award recognises South African citizens who have demonstrated exceptional excellence and made significant contributions to the country and the wider global community.
Karim received the Order of Mapungubwe in Gold for his landmark work in medical science and public health, particularly his research on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis epidemiology, as well as his leadership in shaping national health policy. The citation also praised his decisive response during the Covid-19 pandemic, which helped guide South Africa’s science-based response.
As director of CAPRISA and a professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Abdool Karim has played a key role in connecting laboratory research with community health care. He said he was humbled by the honour and credited the recognition to his team members and study participants.
Dheda received the Order of Mapungubwe in Silver for his pioneering research in pulmonology, which has advanced the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis and drug-resistant respiratory infections. The Presidency said he is a globally respected expert whose research and clinical work have influenced public health policy in several countries.
Based at the University of Cape Town, Dheda holds the DSTI-NRF Research Chair in Interrupting Antimicrobial Resistance Amplification and heads the Division of Pulmonology and the Respiratory Service at Groote Schuur Hospital. He said the award would encourage further grassroots innovation in TB diagnostics and reaffirmed that science is built through teamwork, partnerships and patient care.
President Ramaphosa said the achievements of this year’s recipients reflect South Africa’s growing reputation as a global hub for scientific and medical excellence.
