Professor Makgoba, who is a vice-president of ICSU’s Executive Board, will receive the highest South African honour for his “sterling dedication and excellent contribution to the field of science and medicine.”
Professor Malegapuru Makgoba will be honoured by South African President Jacob Zuma with the Order of Mapungubwe (Silver) at a special ceremony that will be held on the 27th April at the Presidential Guest House. The South African government’s website, in announcing the award, called Makgoba “an outstanding academic and a pioneer of transformation in higher education.” The Order of Mapungubwe recognises South Africans who have accomplished excellence and exceptional achievement to the benefit of South Africa and beyond.
Born in Sekhukhuneland in 1952, Professor Makgoba obtained his M.B. and Ch.B. degrees from the former University of Natal in 1976 with merit in Medicine, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Human Immunogenetics from Oxford University in 1983. A Fellow of the Royal Physicians of London and a Foreign Associate Member of the US National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine, Prof Makgoba is an internationally-recognised molecular immunologist. Prof Makgoba has made ground-breaking contributions to scientific knowledge in his field.
The International Council for Science congratulates Prof. Makgoba on his achievement and is honoured by his work for ICSU as the Executive Board’s Vice-President for Scientific Planning and Review.