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Prof. Jannie Hofmeyr new president of the Royal Society of SA
Author: Media & Communication, Faculty of Science
Published: 04/04/2017

Prof. Jannie Hofmeyr, distinguished professor of biochemistry and biocomplexity at Stellenbosch University (SU), was elected as the new president of the Royal Society of South Africa (RSSAf).

The RSSAf is one of the oldest scientific organisations in South Africa, with a history that stretches back to the 1820s.

Prof. Hofmeyr, co-director of the Centre for Complex Systems in Transition at SU, says he is honoured to be president of a society that has had a major impact on the sciences in South Africa.

He stresses, however, that the role of science as a trustworthy source of reliable information has never been more important.

“We are living at a time when the contribution and importance of scientific research is being questioned, with the internet drowning in so-called ‘alternative facts’ and pseudo-science – particularly in the fields of health and diet. We are continuously bombarded with stories of dubious origins but presented as the truth.”

He believes the RSSAf has an important role to play in public outreach by providing understandable and factually correct explanations of scientific issues. In this regard, the RSSAf’s public lectures and colloquia, organised by its branches throughout the country, have made an enormous contribution. The RSSAf also administers an annual essay competition for schools.

During his term as president he would like the RSSAf to also focus on supporting science journalism in the print and electronic media: “Science journalism is close to my heart, as I have been involved for over 15 years now with a radio programme providing science-based answers to listener’s questions about nature. South Africa’s science journalists are far and few between and they need to be supported.”

Stellenbosch University is well-represented in the RSSAf’s top structures. Prof. Dave Richardson, director of the NRF/DST Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology (CIB) at SU, is vice-president, while Prof. Bert Klumperman, distinguished professor in chemistry and polymer science, is the editor of the RSSA’s publication, Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa