Newsbriefs

News as published on our homepage throughout the year.

2007

• NEPAD/SANBio hosts African scientists to discuss progress on herbal remedy for HIV/Aids
  31 July 2007
  Could Zambian traditional healer Dr Ludwig Sondashi's herbal remedy provide a treatment for HIV/Aids? This and more will be discussed by a group of African scientists at the CSIR today. A team consisting of scientists from the National Aids Council in Zambia, the University of Zambia, South Africa's Medical Research Council and the CSIR, will present preliminary findings following a process to scientifically validate Sondashi's remedy dubbed S-2000.
  
  
• SANBio holds a workshop on The Scientific Validation of Traditional Medicines for Affordable Treatments for HIV/AIDS and Opportunistic Infections
  26 March 2007
  Gracing this important workshop was the Zambian Minister of Science Technology and Vocational Training, Dr. Brigadier General Brian Chituwo, MP. In his official opening remarks, the Minister said that more people were now seeking the services of traditional doctors for their health needs than ever before, particularly with the advent of HIV/AIDS. Dr Chituwo observed that it was for this reason that traditional medicines and remedies should not be looked down upon and dismissed out hand.

2006

• The Sondashi herbal cure for AIDS comes to CSIR for scientific testing
  1 December 2006
  Dr Ludwig Sondashi, a traditional healer from Zambia, delivered his herbal formulation known as S-2000 to the CSIR for scientific validation. This development comes after nine months of discussions amongst Dr Sondashi, the SANBio Secretariat and CSIR Biosciences in South Africa.
  
  
• SANBio Secretariat now fully functional
  15 September 2006
  It is with great pleasure that SANBio announces a fully functional office with the appointment of both Professor Luke Mumba and his personal assistant Ms Catherine Maidi. Prof Luke Mumba, who hails from Zambia, took up office on 3 September 2006. His personal Assistant, Ms. Catherine Maidi, a South African, is due to commence duties on 26 October 2006. SANBio would like to thank Queen Kgabo of the CSIR who has been assisting Prof Mumba while awaiting the recruitment of a PA for his Office.
  
  
• NEPAD/CSIR Liaison Officer bids farewell
  15 September 2006
  Dr Blessed Okole, who has been a NEPAD/CSIR liaison officer, has left the CSIR to take up a new appointment as CEO of Lifelab in Durban. His substantive position at CSIR was that of Strategic Partnership Manager. On behalf of the NEPAD/African Biosciences community, SANBio and NEPAD wishes Dr Okole every success in his new position.
  
  
• New node for mushroom research and development
  15 September 2006
  Upon consideration of the nomination from the government of Namibia made through the University of Namibia, the SANBio Steering Committee in June 2006 approved the designation of the University of Namibia, Sam Nujoma Marine and Coastal Resources Research Centre jointly with the Project Management Unit of the ZERI Africa Project, as a node for SANBio on Mushroom Research and Development for the region. Professor Osmund D. Mwandemele, who is also the current Chairman of the SANBio Steering Committee, has since been nominated to coordinate the node and to initiate nodal activities of interest to the region.
  
  
• New node for fisheries and aquatic science
  15 September 2006
  Upon consideration of the nomination from the Government of Malawi, the Steering Committee of SANBio in June 2006 approved the designation of the University of Malawi, Bunda College of Agriculture as a node for SANBio on fisheries and aquatic science related research and development activities for the region. Dr. Emmanuel Kaunda has since been nominated to coordinate the node and to initiate nodal activities.
  
  
• SANBio welcomes new Director
  1 September 2006
  At the beginning of September, SANBio welcomed Professor Luke Mumba on board, as its new Director. Prof Mumba hails from Zambia where, as an Associate Professor of Genetics, he most recently served as Dean of the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Zambia.