Try GOLD - Free
The fungal fighter
Mail & Guardian
|01 August 2025
Neuroscientist Dr Rachael Dangarembizi tackles deadly brain infections head-on
A deadly fungal infection is claiming more lives in sub-Saharan Africa than tuberculosis among people living with HIV, yet few outside the continent even know its name. Cryptococcal meningitis is a silent killer, but Dr Rachael Dangarembizi is making sure it doesn't stay that way.
As a neuroscientist, a rising star in African biomedical research, and now the winner of the TW Kambule-NSTF Award: Emerging Researcher, she's leading the fight against this overlooked epidemic.
"My research is focused on studying the causes of brain injury in cryptococcal meningitis," she explains. "It's a neglected but deadly fungal infection that's extremely difficult to treat and is a leading cause of death for people living with HIV/AIDS in subSaharan Africa."
This story is from the 01 August 2025 edition of Mail & Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
Calls for Xhakaza's head in Ekurhuleni
The discontent within ANC has unfolded alongside political negotiations in council, where the EFF has made Xhakaza's removal one of the conditions for supporting a reconfiguration of power in the municipality
4 mins
M&G 06 March 2026
Mail & Guardian
Treasury says debt has peaked. Now the test is delivery
In an interview with the Mail & Guardian, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana explains why stabilising South Africa's debt marks a turning point for the fiscus and why rail reform, infrastructure delivery and fiscal discipline will determine whether the shift can be sustained.
5 mins
M&G 06 March 2026
Mail & Guardian
Post-diagnosis: Towards a just food system
The national inquiry into the food systems of South Africa will begin next week, from 12 March 2026.
4 mins
M&G 06 March 2026
Mail & Guardian
No need for pad panic, experts say
Together with sanitary pad and pantyliner manufacturers, specialists say there is no evidence of a health risk even though a UFS study has found they contain hormone-disrupting chemicals
6 mins
M&G 06 March 2026
Mail & Guardian
SA mourns Mosiuoa "Terror" Lekota
President Cyril Ramaphosa this week led tributes to Congress of the People (Cope) co-founder Mosiuoa \"Terror\" Lekota, who died aged 77 years after a long illness.
2 mins
M&G 06 March 2026
Mail & Guardian
Lobbying for Motsepe's ANC leadership in full swing
The campaign to position billionaire businessman Patrice Motsepe as a potential future leader of the ANC is in full swing despite the party's national executive committee (NEC) instructing members not to campaign ahead of its 2027 elective conference.
5 mins
M&G 06 March 2026
Mail & Guardian
Billions alloted but few results
Despite significant allocations to health and education, hospitals remain overwhelmed and schools struggle
3 mins
M&G 06 March 2026
Mail & Guardian
Glyphosate found in local food
The African Centre for Biodiversity is calling for deregistration of the herbicide while manufacturers insist their products meet regulatory limits
5 mins
M&G 06 March 2026
Mail & Guardian
Local polls call for decorum and fair debate
Politicians' conduct in parliament, media and public forums shapes not only the tone of electioneering but also the very fabric of democratic trust and social cohesion
3 mins
M&G 06 March 2026
Mail & Guardian
Digitisation not panacea for varsity space
Any talk about scaling up digitalisation of higher education as a solution to the large demand for access to the university must fiercely confront the structural challenges that are deeply concerning
5 mins
M&G 06 March 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size