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Newsletter Vol 2 No 2 Vol 2 / No 3 December 2008 Vol SAJS bids editor farewell talwart and custodian of the South research in the form of articles, letters and implementing a new editorial model for the African Journal of Science (SAJS), Dr reviews, the SAJS has long collaborated with journal. To this effect, part-time Editor-in- Graham Baker, will end his term as various scientific and technical bodies in the Chief, Prof Michael Cherry, and 10 disci- SEditor of this prestigious journal in publication of books and journals, in work- pline-specific Associate Editors have been January 2009. shops for young researchers on how to write appointed to take the journal forward. for publication, and in contributions of With that will end the resolute dedication to The Academy of Science of South Africa material about South African science to the the SAJS that became the trademark of pays tribute to Baker for his role in building national and international press. A particu- Baker's allegiance to this publication for the the South African Journal of Science into an larly gratifying development in 2004 was the past three and a half decades, and an internationally significant publication era that has seen the journal's growth in that carries South Africa's global prominence. “dedicated and professional best scientific Baker graduated from Oxford University work far (1962-1970) with a doctorate in solid- pursuit of excellence” and wide. state physics. He started his career in sci- ence publishing working with John (now founding of the Academy's popular science Sir John) Maddox on Nature and other magazine, Quest: Science for South Africa. Macmillan journal titles in London and It was Baker who proposed the establish- Washington. It was from Maddox that Baker ment of Quest. His proposal was presented Dr Graham Baker learnt about hands-on scientific publishing, and accepted by the Academy's Council, and by whom he was introduced to the and, after that, he provided editorial and South African scientific community and to managerial assistance to Quest and guided the SAJS. In late 1972, Baker was seconded the magazine through its first four years. from Nature to become Editor of the SAJS, a position he has held to this day. Baker has developed and steered the SAJS into what it is today. His dedicated and pro- In the years since 1972, various organisations fessional pursuit of excellence, willingness to assumed the role of publisher of the SAJS. go the extra mile, care in editorial produc- Today it is published by the Academy of tion, and sensible and well-informed editori- Science of South Africa (ASSAf), boasts a al “voice”, are elements that contributed to database of over 1 100 authors, and a com- constantly improving the journal. plement of national and foreign reviewers of equal number. In its centenary year Baker received a Special Award for Merito- (2004), the SAJS was ranked 14th out of a rious Service from the Academy of Science field grouping of 46 multidisciplinary science of South Africa in 2005 as part of the cente- research journals according to the Thomson nary celebration of the journal. Reuters ISI impact factor analysis. On Baker's departure as full-time SAJS Editor Apart from its primary function of publishing after the production of the final issue of this internationally significant, multidisciplinary year, Volume 104 (2008), the Academy is Insidethis issue Acclaim for ASSAf ASSAf hailed by GMOs in Africa to be New @ ASSAf Members Minister at AGM assessed Page 3 Page 6 Page 8 Page 14 SA to host 2009 Credits Contributions& TWAS Conference The Academy of Science (ASSAf) will be The Science for Society Newsletter is hosting the 2009 TWAS Conference in South published quarterly by the Academy of Africa. Dr Mosibudi Mangena, Minister of Science of South Africa (ASSAf). Science and Technology, made the official announcement at the 25th Anniversary PO Box 72135, Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria, Conference of the Academy of Sciences South Africa, 0040 for the Developing World (TWAS) held in South African delegates Mexico City in November. DST Building, Building 53 at the Conference CSIR Campus TWAS is an autonomous international organ- South Gate isation founded in 1983. Its main mission is to In his speech, Minister Mangena voiced his 1st Floor, C Block promote scientific excellence and capacity belief that the ASSAf model to establish and Meiring Naudé Road in the South for science-based sustainable strengthen academies in southern Africa can Brummeria development. It was officially launched by successfully be applied in other regional blocs Pretoria the Secretary-General of the United Nations to improve South-South relations. Also at the in 1985. Mexico City Conference, two South African Tel: +27 12 843 6481 delegates were inducted into TWAS: Professor A general conference is held in a develop- Fax: +27 866 810 106 Albert Modi, the 2007 recipient of the TWAS ing country every three years to review the E-mail: [email protected] Prize for Young Scientists in Developing Coun- status and future prospects of science and tries, was inducted as a Young Affiliate, and More about the Academy of Science of technology in various regions. The last con- Professor Igbal Parker was inducted as a South Africa, its activities and ference was held in Brazil in 2006. TWAS TWAS Fellow. publications on www.assaf.org.za members, ministers of science and techno- logy, presidents of science academies and Professor Salim Abdool Karim was awarded News items, activity reports and research councils, as well as representa- the 2008 TWAS Prize for Medical Sciences and suggestions from Academy Members and tives of international organisations are invit- Professor Wieland Gevers the 2009 TWAS other stakeholders are most welcome. ed to attend. Medal Lectures. Contributions can be sent via email to the Communication Manager: [email protected]. © Reproduction is permitted, provided the source and publisher are TWAS affiliates selected appropriately acknowledged. The Academy of Science of South Africa was inaugurated in May 1996 in the for prestigious forum presence of then President Nelson Mandela, Patron of the Academy. TWAS affiliates, Dr Albert T Modi from South Africa (TWAS Young Affiliate 2008) and Dr It was formed in response to the need for Benedict M Taele from Lesotho (TWAS Young an Academy of Science consonant with Affiliate 2007), participated in the 2008 the dawn of democracy in South Africa: Future Leaders initiative of the Science and activist in its mission of using science for Technology in Society (STS) Forum in Kyoto, the benefit of society, with a mandate Japan last month. encompassing all fields of scientific The STS Forum, a non-profit organisation enquiry in a seamless way, and including hosts an annual meeting in October each in its ranks the full diversity of South year to create a global human network Africa’s distinguished scientists. based on trust and provides a framework for open discussions on further progress of sci- The Parliament of South Africa passed the ence and technology for the sake of Academy of Science of South Africa Act, humankind while controlling ethical, safety Act 67 in 2001, which came into opera- Dr Benedict Taele and environmental issues resulting from it. In tion on 15 May 2002. As the official seeking to ensure further progress in science Academy of Science of South Africa, and technology throughout the 21st centu- ASSAf represents South Africa in the ry, it is necessary to keep possible problems international community of science under proper control, based on shared val- academies. ues, and to establish a common base for promoting science and technology. Since Contributors to this issue of international efforts to address these prob- Science for Society lems are increasingly needed, the Forum gathers top leaders from different areas, Graham Baker, Justice Baloyi, including policy-makers, scientists, research- Roseanne Diab, Wieland Gevers, ers and representatives from business and Ntsheu Mangena, Thabo Radebe, the media from all over the world. Andrea Meyer, Phakamile Mngadi, Modi and Taele attended the Forum and a Zuki Mpiyakhe, Nthabiseng Taole, study tour in Tokyo. Both presented their Takalani Rambau research in this internationally renowned, Editor: Patricia Scholtz Dr Albert Modi interdisciplinary, and cross-sectoral setting. page two Acclaim for ASSAf Members HighestHighest honourshonours forfor formerformer ASSAfASSAf EOEO Prof Wieland “a capacity for strategic vision” Gevers he National Order of Mapungubwe further into the intensified world of competi- tems and qualification frameworks for (Silver) was presented to former Exe- tive science research, and he delivered a tertiary-level institutions. He was one of the cutive Officer and recently elected major research report on the discovery of two main authors of the New Academic TCouncil Member of ASSAf, Professor enzymatic antibiotic biosynthesis in 1969 at Framework Report, which finally led to the Wieland Gevers, in October this year. the Annual Symposium at the Cold Spring implementation by the Department of Harbour Laboratories. Education of the country's HE Qualifications The National Orders, the highest honour Framework in 2007. bestowed on citizens and deserving foreign After a short stint at his alma mater, UCT, in nationals by the President of South Africa, the Department of Chemical Pathology, After his formal retirement from UCT in 2002, include the Order of Mapungubwe, Order Gevers was approached by the University of Gevers set up, raised funds for and directed of Ikhamanga, the Mendi Decoration for Stellenbosch in 1970 to establish and head a the UCT's large-scale new research facility, bravery and the Order of the Companions new Department of Medical Biochemistry the Institute of Infectious Disease and of OR Tambo and recognise contributions to and a large Medical Research Council Molecular Medicine. The Institute is now for- sport, art, music, literature and the struggle (MRC) Unit (now the Department of Science mally associated with the African "third com- against apartheid.
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