Healing through heritage

Prof Namrita Lall translates traditional wisdom into modern medicine

- Jamaine Krige

rof Namrita Lall has turned a childhood belief in the healing power of plants into a groundbreaking career in science, innovation and community upliftment.

"I grew up using alternative plant-based medicines for things like indigestion and headaches," says Lall, who is DSTI/ NRF Research Chair in Phytomedicine at the University of Pretoria and the winner of the NSTF-South32 Award for Innovation through an SMME.

That early faith has blossomed into more than 30 prototypes and commercialised products, more than 40 patents, and research that ranks in the top 1% globally in pharmacology and toxicology.

Despite South Africa being one of only 17 megadiverse countries with 10% of the world's known plant species, few have been transformed into commercial health products. Lall's mission is changing that through rigorous research and local partnerships.