MR ZAMA SHABALALA Founder and Director: Bluemag Pictures Foundation
Zama Shabalala, a video director and the founder of Bluemag Pictures Foundation, has come to play a pioneering role in research around the medicinal and recreational potential of cannabis. With a background in both biotechnology and sales, he has spent six years working with the cannabis plant to engineer products for people with unique diagnoses. Shabalala says that he thought he would only have an impact and realise his dreams of helping heal people if he became a medical doctor, but he is now at the forefront of the industrialisation of Promoting the rights of women and children and combating gender- based violence as well as economic inequality are key focuses for Zanoxolo Mciteka. As a community development practitioner with the department of social development, he supports community development through interventions including facilitating the No Means No campaign and the Stepping Stones programme. Mciteka is studying law at Wits University and organises fundraising through Unicef Wits. He grew up in a family affected by poverty, substance abuse and gender-based violence and knows “When I started university, I thought I’ll go there and after three years I would be working – only to be fascinated by the world of science, curiosity and discovery,” says Valentine Saasa. Saasa’s research focuses on ways of diagnosing diseases using only the human breath. Early detection of lung cancer and management of diabetes mellitus without needles aren’t her only research priority: Saasa aims to apply her findings to make medical tests affordable for low-income households. Saasa founded a nonprofit organisation called Capricorn
the hemp industry in South Africa. Shabalala is leading a research team of students from the University of Johannesburg in studying the uses of the cannabis plant. “What drives me every morning is the passion to produce a product that will help a patient or find results that give answers to past problems,” he says. “Never stop learning. Ultimately, knowledge is the basis of creation and understanding the path one is taking.” National Diploma Biotechnology, 2018 it’s the reality for many, yet he believes social justice is attainable. “I want the work we do to create sustainable livelihoods for the people who need it most,” he says. His proudest moment was his first case of household profiling, when he identified needs and organised solutions for several families. “The joy on their faces gave me a sense of fulfilment and purpose,” he says. “One better individual results in better communities, better communities make a better South Africa. I believe that social justice is an attainable dream.” BA Community Development and Leadership, 2020 Education Resource Centre, which helps learners from disadvantaged communities access tertiary education, aiming to help cultivate the next generation of young scientists. Sassa says her proudest moment was when she found out that a girl she had mentored went on to study in the same field. “I’m proud that I’ve been the right representation to girls from the same rural areas as me,” she says. “If I can do it, or if Sir Newton can do it, you can also do it. We are all human, like you.” MSc Biochemistry, 2016
MR ZANOXOLO MCITEKA Community development practitioner, Department of Social Development
MS VALENTINE SAASA Postdoctoral research scientist, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
75
ALUMNI IMPUMELELO
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online