South Africa conferred its highest civilian honours on scientists Salim Abdool Karim and Keertan Dheda for their globally acclaimed contributions to HIV, tuberculosis and Covid-19 research.
Two prominent Indian-origin scientists from South Africa, Professor Salim Abdool Karim and Professor Keertan Dheda, have been awarded the country’s highest civilian honours for their exceptional contributions to public health, medical research and global scientific advancement.
President Cyril Ramaphosa presented the prestigious Order of Mapungubwe to 38 distinguished recipients during a ceremony held in Pretoria on Tuesday. The national honour is reserved for South African citizens whose achievements have significantly benefited both the country and the international community.
Professor Salim Abdool Karim received the Order of Mapungubwe in Gold for his transformative work in medical science, particularly his internationally recognised research on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis epidemiology. The award also acknowledged his influential role in shaping South Africa’s public health policies over several decades.
The official citation praised Karim’s leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, noting that his evidence-based guidance played a crucial role in informing South Africa’s early pandemic response. Authorities highlighted how his scientific expertise helped anchor national decision-making in credible data at a time of global uncertainty.
The Chancellor of the National Orders specifically commended his “tireless leadership and swift response during the Covid-19 pandemic,” which anchored South Africa’s early response in rigorous, data-driven science.
As the Director of the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) and a professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Abdool Karim’s work bridges the gap between laboratory benches and community clinics, it said.
Though he was unable to accept the award in person, Karim expressed deep humility regarding the state honour, declaring it to be due jointly to the team members and even the patients in the studies.
The citation for Dheda, who was conferred the Order of Mapungubwe in Silver, honours his pioneering scientific research in pulmonology, which has revolutionised the clinical and public health management of tuberculosis and drug-resistant respiratory infections.
The Presidency recognised Dheda as “an acclaimed international expert whose combination of cutting-edge research and clinical prowess has produced numerous scientific breakthroughs and shaped public health policy in many countries.” Based at the University of Cape Town (UCT), Dheda holds the DSTI-NRF Research Chair in Interrupting Antimicrobial Resistance Amplification and also heads the Division of Pulmonology and the Respiratory Service at the historic Groote Schuur Hospital and directs the Centre for Lung Infection and Immunity at the UCT Lung Institute.
After he received the award, Dheda said that the award acts as a powerful catalyst for future grassroots innovation and that the National Order “inspires me to continue working on TB diagnostic innovation in local communities. Science is shaped by teams, partnerships, and patients, and I accept this as a figurehead of our collective effort to bring health equity to high-burden regions.” President Ramaphosa said:
“The achievements of all our recipients this year speak to our country’s growing international standing as a global centre of scientific and medical best practice.”
With inputs from agencies
First Published:
May 20, 2026, 18:07 IST
End of Article
