The Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Shireen Motala as Vice-President of the Academy and Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi as a full member of the ASSAf Council for the remainder of the 2024–2028 Council term.

These appointments follow the untimely passing of ASSAf Vice-President, Professor Roseanne Diab, whose distinguished leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing science in South Africa and internationally left an enduring legacy. The Academy once again extends its deepest condolences to Professor Diab’s family, colleagues and the broader scientific community.

In accordance with Regulation 13.1 of the ASSAf Regulations, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, has endorsed the appointments following nominations by the ASSAf Council.

Professor Motala, who previously served as an elected member of Council, has been appointed Vice-President to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the current Council term. Professor Mpedi, who has served as a Council Advisor, has been appointed as a full member of Council to fill the vacancy created by Professor Motala’s appointment.

Professor Motala is one of South Africa’s foremost higher education scholars and currently holds the NRF/DSTI/DHET South African Research Chair (SARChI) in Teaching and Learning at the University of Johannesburg. An NRF-rated researcher, she has held numerous national and international leadership positions, including serving as Chairperson of the Education Policy Consortium, Chairperson of the UNESCO South African Commission and inaugural President of the South African Education Research Association. Her research has significantly influenced higher education policy, education financing, system reform, and issues of access and equity, while her collaborations have strengthened academic partnerships across Africa and internationally.

Professor Mpedi is the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Johannesburg and an internationally respected scholar in labour law, social security law and artificial intelligence and the law. He has held a range of senior academic leadership positions, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Johannesburg. His academic career includes research appointments in South Africa and Germany, and he has completed executive leadership programmes at both the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School and Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

The Academy welcomes Professors Motala and Mpedi to their respective leadership roles on Council. Professor Motala brings extensive experience in higher education policy, research leadership and institutional governance, while Professor Mpedi contributes exceptional expertise in academic leadership, law and emerging technologies. Together, they will strengthen the Academy’s capacity to advance evidence-based scholarship and provide independent science advice in service of South Africa.

The Academy looks forward to working closely with Professors Motala and Mpedi as it continues to fulfil its mandate of recognising scholarly excellence, promoting scientific thinking in the service of society, and providing evidence-based advice to government and the nation.