​It is with great sadness that we express our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Professor Bongani Mawethu Mayosi, who died on Friday 27 July. He was a friend, collaborator, mentor, highly respected peer and an inspiration to so many, including students and staff at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences of Stellenbosch University. 

Prof Mayosi was passionate about advancing health research in South Africa, and personally led ground-breaking research on heart disease affecting the poor, including rheumatic heart disease, congestive cardiac failure and tuberculous pericarditis. He was dedicated to improving the quality of healthcare in the public sector, and also concerned about the transformation challenges facing tertiary institutions. 

Prof Mayosi was a pioneering A-rated National Research Foundation scientist who was awarded the Order of Mapungubwe, South Africa's highest honour, in 2009. He joined the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 1992 and was appointed as the head of the Department of Medicine at Groote Schuur Hospital and UCT in 2006. Ten years later, he was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Medicine. In 2017, he was elected to the membership of the National Academy of Medicine in the United States. 

When Prof Mayosi delivered the keynote guest lecture at our Faculty's 60th Annual Academic Day two years ago, he reiterated the importance of research collaboration between scientific disciplines and between institutions. He encouraged us to actively seek out opportunities for research collaboration on the African continent. In honour of his legacy we will continue to strive to live the values he exemplified.  

In recent years, Prof Mayosi battled with depression, to which he eventually succumbed. We as healthcare professionals are concerned about the escalating prevalence of mental illness among our students, colleagues and leaders. Prof Mayosi's untimely death serves as a reminder that we need to work even harder to promote mental health, destigmatise mental illness and ensure that appropriate care and support are available and used.

Prof Mayosi will be remembered for his humility, integrity, brilliance, generosity of spirit, approachable demeanour and his dedication to his work and the improvement of the quality of lives of others. We are profoundly saddened by his passing.

The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Stellenbosch University