Former Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Tyrone Pretorius,Prof Razia Adam, Associate Prof and Deputy Dean of Research in the Faculty of Dentistry, and Prof Charlene Africa. Image: UWC

Three University of the Western Cape (UWC) academics — including former Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tyrone Pretorius — have been appointed to the board of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), where they will help guide the nation’s health research priorities.

Prof Pretorius will serve alongside Prof Razia Adam, Associate Professor and Deputy Dean of Research in the Faculty of Dentistry, and Prof Charlene Africa, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Medical Biosciences in the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

Prof Pretorius, who retired last year but remains active in research within the field of Community Health Sciences, will chair the 17-member board, which was announced this week by Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi. The board will take effect on November 1, 2025, and will run for a three-year term, until October 2028.

UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Prof Robert Balfour, congratulated the trio on their appointments.

“This esteemed recognition reflects their exceptional leadership and contributions to advancing research and public health in South Africa, and underscores UWC’s continued role in shaping national scientific excellence,” said Prof Balfour.

Regarding Professor Pretorius’s appointment as chairperson of the board, Prof Balfour added: “This honour is a fitting acknowledgement of his visionary leadership and enduring commitment to the advancement of knowledge and service to society.  We are deeply proud of our colleagues and wish them every success in this important national role.”

The SAMRC board will identify and prioritise research agendas that address South Africa’s quadruple burden of disease - HIV, tuberculosis, non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, maternal, newborn and child health, and violence and injury.  The SAMRC funds and conducts research within its various units and provides grants to scientists at universities and other research institutions across the country.

Tuberculosis remains a leading cause of death in South Africa, with approximately 270,000 people living with the disease in 2023 and 56,000 deaths recorded that year, according to the Department of Health.  The country also bears the highest HIV burden globally, with about 13% of the population infected as of 2021.

Prof Pretorius described his appointment as an honour. “I look forward to contributing to one of the country’s eminent research councils,” he said.