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Prof Martin Nyaga joins prestigious Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellowship

13 May 2025 | Story André Damons | Photo Supplied

Prof Martin Nyaga, an NRF B-Rated Full Professor in the Division of Virology and Head of the Next Generation Sequencing (UFS-NGS) Unit at the University of the Free State (UFS), has been selected as one of the cohort II fellows of the prestigious Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellowship.

Prof Nyaga, who is one of 12 individuals from six African countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, and Zambia) selected to this cohort, says he is profoundly honoured. Through the prestigious fellowship, inspired by Professor Juma’s visionary legacy, he envisions advancing Africa’s capacity to combat infectious diseases by developing robust, mNGS-based surveillance systems that detect and characterise emerging pathogens early enough.

“The opportunity to join a cohort of exceptional African scientists, united by a shared commitment to addressing global health challenges, is both humbling and inspiring. I feel a deep sense of responsibility to uphold the fellowship’s mission of fostering sustainable development through cutting-edge research and policy engagement, particularly in the context of my work on genomic disease surveillance.

“I am deeply inspired by Professor Calestous Juma’s legacy of harnessing science for sustainable development, and I am committed to embodying his optimism and interdisciplinary approach. The fellowship represents a transformative platform to advance scientific innovation and leadership in Africa. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Gates Foundation for this opportunity, and I look forward to contributing to a transformative era of African scientific leadership,” says Prof Nyaga.

Advantages of the Fellowship

The Calestous Juma Science Leadership Fellowship focuses on bringing together accomplished innovators to form a community of global health opinion shapers and influencers. The programme provides targeted professional development to support fellows as they expand their networks, amplify their voices, and continue to build and strengthen a dynamic, resilient research & development (R&D) ecosystem that changes the lives of people living not only in Africa but around the world.

Among the new cohort are experts in virology (including HIV and rota), bacteriology (including TB and strep), immunology, malaria, modelling, maternal immunisation, epidemiology, chemistry, drug discovery and development, vaccine discovery, clinical trials, and controlled human infection models to name just a few examples.

According to Prof Nyaga, Director of a WHO Collaborating Centre for Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Surveillance and Pathogen Genomics, selection for the Fellowship is a rigorous and competitive process, designed to identify African scientists with exceptional research portfolios and leadership potential. Candidates are typically invited based on their established track record in transformative science, as well as their ability to anchor health and R&D initiatives within their communities. Successful applicants are evaluated for their scientific excellence, interdisciplinary networks, and commitment to mentoring the next generation of African scientists, aligning with the fellowship’s holistic view of leadership.

The NRF B3-rated scientist says he is eager to engage with the fellowship’s vibrant community of scientists from multiple African countries, fostering collaborations that amplify our collective impact on global health. He anticipates benefiting from the fellowship’s non-scientific training in communication, policy engagement, and institution strengthening. Participating in networking opportunities will broaden his perspectives and strengthen his capacity to drive innovative solutions in Africa’s genomic R&D ecosystem.

“I believe my work in pathogen surveillance research using genomics, aligns closely with the fellowship's objectives. As a fellow, I bring a wealth of experience in leading multi-country projects, establishing regional collaborations, and fostering capacity development through training and mentorship.

“In addition, my ongoing work at the UFS-NGS Unit, including projects on enteric and respiratory virus surveillance, vaccine monitoring and efficacy using next generation sequencing, which will enrich discussions on public health. Conversely, the fellowship will enhance my scientific development by providing advanced training in leadership and policy advocacy, enabling me to translate research findings into actionable health policies. This synergy will elevate my capacity to lead transformative R&D initiatives and mentor future African scientists.”

Contributing to the betterment of people

Prof Nyaga believes his research on vaccine efficacy and metagenomics of gut and respiratory virome will contribute to the betterment of not only Africans, but also people around the world by informing targeted interventions in vaccine efficacy monitoring and development. This research will also contribute to the reduction of morbidity and mortality applicable to enteric and respiratory infections in vulnerable populations.

Furthermore, he explains, the fellowship’s emphasis on networking and policy engagement will amplify these efforts, enabling him to advocate for evidence-based health policies across Africa. Globally, their collective work as Calestous Juma Science Leadership fellows will strengthen the R&D ecosystem, fostering innovation that addresses pandemic preparedness and other health challenges. By building resilient scientific communities, the fellowship will contribute to sustainable development, improving lives in Africa and beyond.

News Archive

“To forgive is not an obligation. It’s a choice.” – Prof Minow during Reconciliation Lecture

2014-03-05

“To forgive is not an obligation. It’s a choice.” – Prof Minow during the Third Annual Reconciliation Lecture entitled Forgiveness, Law and Justice.
Photo: Johan Roux

No one could have anticipated the atmosphere in which Prof Martha Minow would visit the Bloemfontein Campus. And no one could have predicted how apt the timing of her message would be. As this formidable Dean of Harvard University’s Law School stepped behind the podium, a latent tension edged through the crowded audience.

“The issue of getting along after conflict is urgent.”

With these few words, Prof Minow exposed the essence of not only her lecture, but also the central concern of the entire university community.

As an expert on issues surrounding racial justice, Prof Minow has worked across the globe in post-conflict societies. How can we prevent atrocities from happening? she asked. Her answer was an honest, “I don’t know.” What she is certain of, on the other hand, is that the usual practice of either silence or retribution does not work. “I think that silence produces rage – understandably – and retribution produces the cycle of violence. Rather than ignoring what happens, rather than retribution, it would be good to reach for something more.” This is where reconciliation comes in.

Prof Minow put forward the idea that forgiveness should accompany reconciliation efforts. She defined forgiveness as a conscious, deliberate decision to forego rightful grounds of resentment towards those who have committed a wrong. “To forgive then, in this definition, is not an obligation. It’s a choice. And it’s held by the one who was harmed,” she explained.

Letting go of resentment cannot be forced – not even by the law. What the law can do, though, is either to encourage or discourage forgiveness. Prof Minow showed how the law can construct adversarial processes that render forgiveness less likely, when indeed its intention was the opposite. “Or, law can give people chances to meet together in spaces where they may apologise and they may forgive,” she continued. This point introduced some surprising revelations about our Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).

Indeed, studies do report ambivalence, disappointment and mixed views about the TRC. Whatever our views are on its success, Prof Minow reported that people across the world wonder how South African did it. “It may not work entirely inside the country; outside the country it’s had a huge effect. It’s a touchstone for transitional justice.”

The TRC “seems to have coincided with, and maybe contributed to, the relatively peaceful political transition to democracy that is, frankly, an absolute miracle.” What came as a surprise to many is this: the fact that the TRC has affected transitional justice efforts in forty jurisdictions, including Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Cambodia and Liberia. It has even inspired the creation of a TRC in Greensborough, North Carolina, in the United States.

There are no blueprints for solving conflict, though. “But the possibility of something other than criminal trials, something other than war, something other than silence – that’s why the TRC, I think, has been such an exemplar to the world,” she commended.

Court decision cannot rebuild a society, though. Only individuals can forgive. Only individuals can start with purposeful, daily decisions to forgive and forge a common future. Forgiveness is rather like kindness, she suggested. It’s a resource without limits. It’s not scarce like water or money. It’s within our reach. But if it’s forced, it’s not forgiveness.

“It is good,” Prof Minow warned, “to be cautious about the use of law to deliberately shape or manipulate the feelings of any individual. But it is no less important to admit that law does affect human beings, not just in its results, but in its process.” And then we must take responsibility for how we use that law.

“A government can judge, but only people can forgive.” As Prof Minow’s words lingered, the air suddenly seemed a bit more buoyant.

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