SA Medical Research Council

11/06/2026

The SAMRC is proud to congratulate Professor Shabir Madhi, Director of the SAMRC Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit, on receiving the 2026 Maxwell Finland Award for Scientific Achievement.

This prestigious international honour recognises his outstanding contributions to vaccine research and infectious disease prevention, helping to save lives and shape global health policy.

As a Director within the SAMRC Extramural Unit portfolio, Prof Madhi continues to demonstrate the excellence and impact of South African science on the global stage.

We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved achievement.

10/06/2026

Before we wrap up our podcast coverage of the 9th South African Tuberculosis Conference, one final conversation.

Prof Norbert Ndjeka, Chief Director for TB Control and Management at the National Department of Health (South Africa), and Dr Lee-Ann Davids, Specialist Scientist in the Office of AIDS and TB Research, discuss one of the questions that sparked discussion at the conference: why are more women testing for TB than men? They also reflect on the role of young people in challenging misinformation about vaccines online.

Here’s a glimpse of the conversation.

10/06/2026

The race to a TB-free world is on at the 9th South African Tuberculosis Conference.

Eight participants, four teams and one shared goal: learning more about the work of the Centre for TB Research, engaging with scientists and connecting with exhibitors whose work contributes to the global fight against TB.

The challenge reflects this year’s conference theme, 'Vuka! Unite, Innovate and Accelerate to End TB', highlighting the collaboration, innovation and urgency needed to achieve a TB-free world.

09/06/2026

How do we build sustainable financing for the future of TB programmes?

If you're at the conference venue, join Prof Fareed Abdullah tomorrow for a discussion on Building an Ecosystem for Innovative Financing for Sustainability in TB Financing as part of Track 4: TB Responses and Sustainability.

Date: 10 June 2026
Time: 11:00–12:30
Venue: Marco Polo

09/06/2026

At a recent meeting at the SAMRC Pretoria office, leadership from the University of Pretoria and the SAMRC Executive Management Committee discussed shared strategies to strengthen collaboration in research and funding. This partnership aims to align priority research areas, facilitate joint funding initiatives, and enhance opportunities for capacity development and innovation. By deepening these relationships, both institutions are well-positioned to accelerate high-impact, translational research that informs policy and improves health outcomes across South Africa and the broader region.

09/06/2026

We’re at the 9th South African Tuberculosis
Conference, speaking to some of South Africa’s leading researchers and experts about the challenges, breakthroughs and opportunities shaping the future of TB research.

First up: Prof Mohlopheni Jackson Marakalala, Director of the Centre for TB Research, and Dr Awelani Mutshembele, Specialist Scientist in the Office of AIDS and TB Research.

Here’s a glimpse of the conversation. If you’re attending the conference, you’ll find many of these experts just a few steps away and ready to share more about their work. Be sure to say hello.

07/06/2026

In 2024, approximately 890 foodborne illness incidents were reported nationally, including 22 child deaths linked to contaminated food within a matter of weeks.

Through SAFOODS, the SAMRC supports research and monitoring that helps improve our understanding of food safety risks and informs efforts to protect consumers. Surveillance data from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases also indicates thousands of annual infections caused by pathogens such as Salmonella and Campylobacter.

Safe food handling, proper cooking, good hygiene, and correct storage can all help reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

05/06/2026

As South Africa begins the rollout of lenacapavir for HIV prevention, it is worth reflecting on the evidence that has helped inform this moment.

Researchers from Cochrane South Africa recently led a landmark systematic review examining the benefits and harms of lenacapavir as PrEP. Their review found that lenacapavir results in a substantial reduction in new HIV infections compared with oral PrEP, while also highlighting important considerations for ongoing research and implementation.

Find the review here: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD016347/full

The country is expanding its HIV prevention toolkit, this work demonstrates the critical role of South African scientists in synthesising global evidence, informing policy discussions, and helping ensure that innovation is translated into meaningful public health impact.

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05/06/2026

Heat exposure is emerging as an important but often overlooked factor in children’s health and academic performance, affecting concentration, attendance and wellbeing. As researchers continue to examine these impacts, the findings offer valuable insights that warrant consideration in planning climate-resilient education systems.

In a new article for The Conversation Africa, SAMRC scientist Prof Caradee Wright explores what the evidence tells us about how heat affects children’s learning.

More on this: https://theconversation.com/school-in-a-hot-world-what-research-is-saying-about-childrens-health-and-learning-283300

Education systems across southern Africa must better prepare for a hotter future.

04/06/2026

The South African Medical Research Council congratulates Dr Thandi Kapwata on her appointment as Co-Lead of Working Group 1 (Health Hazards, Exposures, and Vulnerabilities) for the Lancet Countdown Africa Regional Centre. The Centre is led by Professor Tafadzwa Mabhaudhi as director and headquartered at the University of Pretoria. In this role, Dr Kapwata will join a team of African academic leaders at the forefront of advancing evidence-driven climate and health research, policy, and action across Africa.