A senior lecturer at the University of Johannesburg, Nomali Ngobese combines her expertise in indigenous plants with her interest in social development. She is known for her work in food security, highlighting underutilised crops to alleviate hunger and boost economic development in rural communities.
Ngobese is particularly proud of her research into proving the food potential of unconventional plants. Her studies have proven that plants such as monkey oranges and wild mangoes have nutritional value. “Having a scientific record to lobby for their commercialisation is very important, not only for the botany field, but for food processors and food engineers as well,” she says.
She addresses malnutrition in rural areas by working with potato farmers to optimise harvests. Ngobese also develops post-harvest strategies for improving the shelf life of popular crops, and creates methods to improve the nutritional profiles of popular local foods, such as steamed bread, by incorporating native plants.
“Knowing that I have a new opportunity to make a mark on the world each day drives me to excel.”