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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

Twenty years of the constitution of South Africa – cause for celebration and reflection

2016-05-11

Description: Judge Azar Cachalia Tags: Judge Azar Cachalia

Judge Azar Cachalia

The University of the Free State’s Centre for Human Rights and the Faculty of Law held the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the South African Constitution on 11 May 2016 on the Bloemfontein Campus. Students and faculty members celebrated and reflected on not only the achievements of the constitution but also on perspectives regarding its relevance in modern society, and to what extent it has upheld the human rights of all citizens of South Africa.

The panel discussion started with a presentation on the pre-1996 perspective by Judge Azar Cachalia of the Supreme Court of Appeal. Judge Cachalia reflected on his role in the realisation and upholding of the constitution, from his days as a student activist, then as an attorney representing detainees during political turmoil, and currently as a judge: “My role as an attorney was to defend people arrested for public violence. My role as a judge today is to uphold the constitution.” He stressed the importance of the constitution today, and the responsibility institutions such as the police service have in upholding human rights. Judge Cachalia played a significant role in drafting the new Police Act around 1990, an Act which was to ensure that the offences perpetrated by the police during apartheid did not continue in the current democratic era. Further, he pointed out that societal turmoil has the potential to make society forget about the hard work that was put into structures upholding human rights. “Constitutions are drafted in moments of calm. It is a living document, and we hope it is not torn up when we go through social conflict, such as we are experiencing at present.”

Thobeka Dywili, a Law student at the UFS, presented her views from the new generation’s perspective. She relayed her experience as a student teaching human rights at schools in disadvantaged communities. She realised that, although the youth are quite aware of their basic human rights, after so many years of democracy, “women and children are still seen as previously disadvantaged when they should be equal”. She pointed out that, with the changing times, the constitution needs to be looked at with a new set of eyes, suggesting more robust youth engagement on topics that affect them, using technology to facilitate discussions. She said with the help of social media, it is possible for a simple discussion to become a revolution; #feesmustfall was a case in point.

Critical perspectives on the constitution were presented by Tsepo Madlingozi of University of Pretoria and University of London. In his view, the constitution has not affected policy to the extent that it should, with great disparities in our society and glaring issues, such as lack of housing for the majority of the poor. “Celebration of the constitution should be muted, as the constitution is based on a decolonisation approach, and does not directly address the needs of the poor. The Constitutional Court is not pro-poor.” He posed the question of whether twenty years on, the present government has crafted a new society successfully. “We have moved from apartheid to neo-apartheid, as black elites assimilate into the white world, and the two worlds that exist have not been able to stand together as a reflection of what the constitution stands for.”

Prof Caroline Nicholson, Dean of the Faculty of Law, encouraged more open discussions, saying such dialogues are exactly what was intended by the Centre for Human Rights. She emphasised the importance of exchanging ideas, of allowing people to speak freely, and of sharing perspectives on important issues such as the constitution and human rights.

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