Higher education, science and innovation minister Dr Blade Nzimande has paid tribute to Ndoni Mcunu, founder of Black Women in Science, who passed away over the weekend.
Mcunu, who was also a climate change advocate, died in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg.
In a statement, Mcunu’s family said: “Ndoni Mcunu was on vacation at the Cradle of Humankind with friends. Krugersdorp Police who notified the family of the death cited a gas leak in the accommodation venue as the probable cause of death, pending the outcome of the post-mortem and the conclusion of police investigations. The family requests privacy as they mourn and attend to the matter.”
In his condolences message, the minister said Mcunu achieved numerous accolades, including being listed by the Embassy of the Netherlands as one of the top 50 most inspiring women in technology in South Africa.
Mcunu was the 2017 Mandela Washington Fellow, and received an honorary award from the KwaZulu-Natal province in the division of science research and entrepreneurship given by the KZN Young Achievers Awards and the eThekwini Municipality.
“South Africa has not only lost a beacon of hope for the value of science in society, but an environmentalist who advocated for building capacity and networks for black women scientists and researchers in Africa,” said Nzimande.
“With over 10 years of experience, her work in climate change advocacy and leadership in the development of women will live on eternally.”
Mcunu’s memorial service will be held in Sandton on Friday and her funeral will be in Durban on 30 April.
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