Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo Appointed to COHORT EXCO

The Committee of Heads of Organisations of Research and Technology (COHORT) held a plenary meeting on 06 April 2022 where a new EXCO and Chair were elected for the 2022-2024 term. NRF CEO, Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, was appointed to the COHORT EXCO while Ms Jansie Niehaus, NSTF Executive Director, was elected Chairperson.

The COHORT Secretariat extended a warm welcome to the new EXCO and also expressed gratitude to the outgoing EXCO and Chair for their support, guidance, leadership and outstanding contribution as members of COHORT EXCO.

Members of the newly appointed Executive Committee are:

• Dr Litha Magingxa, Agricultural Research Council (ARC);
• Prof Himla Soodyall, Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf);
• Ms Jansie Niehaus, National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF);
• Ms Jodi Scholtz, South African Bureau of Standards (SABS); and
• Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF) (pictured below)

The vision of COHORT is to be the national forum for the heads of organisations of science, research and technology, that leverages their collective strengths in developing a culture of innovation and science for society in South Africa. It represents the leadership of professional research and technology organisations that offer impartial and trustworthy services to the research community, the private and public sectors.

The membership of COHORT consists of the Chief Executives or, where this is not possible, a senior representative, of science councils or organ of State with a mandate to perform and/or support science, technology, and innovation. The following organisations are currently members of COHORT:

• Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)
• Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
• Council for GeoScience (CGS)
• Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
• Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC)
• Medical Research Council (MRC)
• MINTEK
• National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI)
• National Health and Laboratory Services (NHLS)
• National Research Foundation (NRF)
• National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)
• South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa)
• South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)
• South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
• South African National Space Agency (SANSA)
• South African Weather Service (SAWS)
• Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)
• Water Research Commission (WRC)
• The Innovation Hub