Minister Nzimande's statement on the passing away of Prof. Belinda Bozzoli

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, offers his heartfelt condolences to the Bozzoli family and friends and to her party, the Democratic Alliance, following the death of Prof. Belinda Bozzoli, who died on 5 December 2020, following a long battle with cancer.

Prof. Bozzoli was a Member of Parliament from May 2014, and was currently serving her second term as a Member of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology.

"Although we had our own political, ideological and even intellectual differences, she always sought to back up her arguments with facts and empirical evidence, like a true academic. I always found robust debates with her very informative.  She was indeed a very important member of the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Technology," said Minister Nzimande.

Prof. Bozzoli had enormous experience in the higher education, science and innovation landscape, having been a university academic with an A rating from the National Research Foundation.

At the height of her distinguished academic career, in 2002, she became the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the University of the Witwatersrand, and she also chaired the Board of the National Research Foundation for some time.  Parliament will be poorer without her experience in the higher education, science and innovation landscape.

"Two of the many issues that Prof. Bozzoli agreed with us on were our plans to save the 2020 academic year and the work to combat the COVID-19 pandemic undertaken by the Department of Science and Innovation.  She was also very concerned about the negative impact of budget cuts on the quality of higher education," Minster Nzimande said.

"May her soul rest in peace," said the Minister.

Issued by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.

Enquiries: Ishmael Mnisi 0660378859