Pretoria: The Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Professor Blade Nzimande, has expressed his deep sorrow following the passing of Professor Roseanne Diab. Diab served as the Vice-President of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) and was the Executive Officer of the Academy from 2008 to 2018. She was an Emeritus Professor in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where she made contributions as a scholar, mentor, and academic leader.
According to South African Government News Agency, Professor Diab's daughter, Dr. Paula Diab Bigalke, shared that her mother passed away peacefully on the evening of Saturday, 10 January 2026. Diab had been diagnosed with kidney cancer towards the end of the previous year and had been fighting against the odds. The Minister described Diab as one of South Africa's most distinguished scientists, who served the country in various capacities.
Throughout her tenure at ASSAf and other national scientific and academic organisations, Nzimande said the late Professor played a role in enhancing the quality of research in the country, thereby strengthening South Africa's science, technology, and innovation policies. The Minister highlighted her advocacy for gender equality in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Due to this commitment, she served as the Director of GenderInSite and chaired The World Academy of Sciences' (TWAS) Gender Advisory Committee.
Diab was also a member of the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) and the Chairperson of the Strategic Projects Committee (SPC) since 2019. She contributed to science policy formulation in areas such as emerging and transformative technologies, environmental sustainability, and equity in higher education. Diab was also recognised for her research in air quality, atmospheric pollution, and climate change.
The Minister conveyed his condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Diab on behalf of the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation and all entities in the National System of Innovation. He stated that her work greatly enhanced South Africa's standing as an emerging and global leader in several scientific fields. ASSAf stated that Diab's passing represents a loss to the academy, the South African community, global scientific communities, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working with her. Her career and commitment to scientific excellence have left a mark on the institution, the country, and many individuals.
