In Memoriam

Dr Reinhard Arndt, one of South Africa’s visionary science leaders and research strategists, passed away on 1 January 2020. He played a critical role in the founding of ASSAf and made a significant contribution to research in South Africa as the inaugural CEO of the Foundation for Research and Development (FRD), the predecessor to the National Research Foundation.

He was also one of the founders of the Rand Afrikaans University, and the first Head of the Chemistry Department.

Dr Arndt was the recipient of several prestigious awards and those awarded in recognition of his contribution to South African science included the Claude Harris Leon Award; the South African Medal (Gold) by the South African Association for the Advancement of Science (S2A3); and the Gold Hendrik van Eck Medal of the South African Chemistry Institute (SACI).

After his retirement, he remained actively involved as advisor for higher education institutions and participated in studies and projects coordinated by ASSAf and the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies. He remained intensely interested in South Africa’s scientific landscape.