The Minister of Science and Technology, Naledi Pandor, has learnt with shock and sadness of the passing of one of South Africa's leading female scientists, Prof. Patricia Berjak, who died yesterday following a short illness.
Prof. Berjak was a well-known cell biologist whose passion was seed biology, particularly the storage of seeds.
Minister Pandor said, "Prof. Berjak's death dealt the Department's plans of producing more scientists and researchers a blow, as she was still active in supervising postgraduate students in the school of Life Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, as a Professor Emeritus."
Minister Pandor sends her heartfelt condolences to Prof. Berjak's family, friends and the broader scientific community.
Enquiries:
Lunga Ngqengelele
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