Zambian scientist among world’s greatest
A Zambian scientist has been named among the world’s greatest leaders due to his research discoveries in malaria treatment drugs.
Kelly Chibale, a professor of organic chemistry, has also become known for his pivotal work on malaria.
He is the founder and director of Africa’s first integrated drug discovery centre whose H3D centre at the University of Cape Town pioneers world-class drug discovery in Africa.
Prof Chibale was included in Fortune magazine’s annual list of ‘influential figures we admire most’.
He shares the honour with leaders ranging from Bill and Melinda Gates to the presidents of France‚ Emmanuel Macron‚ South Korea’s Moon Jae-in‚ tennis player Serena Williams and Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook.
Prof Chibale described the recognision as ‘totally unexpected and overwhelming’.
The magazine selected Prof Chibale for his pioneering work in developing infrastructure to support scientific research.
“I am so grateful to God for this recognition on the global stage,” he said.
Prof Chibale said he was inspired to confront Afro-pessimism and debunk the myth that Africa could not be a source of health innovation.
H3D mainly works in the fields of tuberculosis and malaria and already has a potential drug for malaria in human trials.
“We need to demonstrate that Africa has more to offer than the mere opportunity for human clinical trials. Africa has largely been a recipient of Western research,” Prof Chibale said.
“It is time for Africa to also contribute research so that people from other continents can also benefit. The challenges we are trying to address in Africa are not just African challenges but human challenges. In this way Africa can earn respect. Research is not a luxury. It provides solutions‚ creates jobs and infrastructure‚ builds capacity as well as expertise‚ attracts foreign direct investment‚ can seed an industry and contributes to reversing the brain drain.”
Prof Chibale said he was particularly honoured to be included on the Fortune list with Bill and Melinda Gates who have co-founded the Gates Foundation and committed substantial resources to fighting the scourge of malaria‚ tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.
“Not only are Bill and Melinda immense contributors to the recognition I have received through the support of our H3D work from their foundation over many years‚ they are both tremendous inspirational and exemplary role models of leaders who serve others,” said prof Chibale.
“Although I have no right to tell African billionaires and millionaires how they should use their money‚ I would like them to consider following the example set by Bill and Melinda by investing in scientific research in Africa. Africa is no longer just a place to conduct human malaria clinical trials. Africa is now also a place for malaria drug discovery and development. It is important to combat malaria‚ not just because of the unacceptably high numbers of deaths it is responsible for‚ especially among our children‚ but also because malaria continues to choke economic growth on the continent.”
Prof Chibale grew up in extreme poverty in villages and townships in Zambia.
His home had no electricity or running water and he shared a single bed in a tiny room with his brother.
But his perseverance and faith propelled him to reach his goals.
Fortune magazine said its list looked at all sectors of society to find leaders that were using their power and influence to make the world a better place.
Prof Chibale founded H3D at the University of Cape Town in 2010 and officially launched it in 2011.
Starting out with a handful of researchers‚ he has grown H3D into a world-class centre‚ with more than 60 researchers in addition to approximately 30 postgraduate (MSc and PhD) research students and postdoctoral fellows in his academic group.
His team of more than 90 researchers work out of state-of-the-art facilities at the university.
He has since thanked his partners‚ including the Gates Foundation‚ Medicines for Malaria Venture‚ Novartis and the South African government.
