Mrs. Rethabile Frangenie Motloung |Parasitology | Best Researcher Award

Rethabile holds a Master’s degree in Zoology from the University of Pretoria , where she researched the distribution of Australian Acacias in Southern Africa under the guidance of Dr. John Wilson, Prof. Mark Robertson, and Prof. Mathieu Rouget. Prior to this, she earned her Honours and Bachelor’s degrees in Zoology and Botany from the University of the Free State. Her Honours thesis focused on molecular detection techniques for Anaplasma marginale in cattle, and she achieved distinctions in both her undergraduate and Honours studies. Rethabile completed her secondary education at Phofung Senior Secondary School. Her academic path laid a robust scientific foundation and exposed her to interdisciplinary environmental challenges, especially those related to invasive species and conservation biology. Her education not only shaped her research interests but also empowered her with advanced analytical and GIS skills, which she continues to apply in her professional work at SANBI and in national conservation policy contexts.

Rethabile Motloung has built a solid career in biodiversity and environmental management. At SANBI, where she has served as Scientist II since, she leads animal species information projects and supports national conservation policy through data cleaning, species-level analysis, and research. Prior to this, she worked as a Biodiversity Officer and Environmental Officer in the Western Cape Government, developing environmental policies, coordinating workshops, and mainstreaming biodiversity into governance structures. She also contributed to research on sustainability in education departments and conducted energy efficiency projects. Rethabile began her professional journey at SANBI as a Technical Assistant and Intern, focusing on spatial data for endemic plants. Her experience spans database management, project planning, policy consultation, and facilitating stakeholder engagement. Through these roles, she has contributed to strategic biodiversity frameworks while enhancing the accuracy and accessibility of ecological data across South Africa. Her contributions have had both scientific and policy-level impacts.

Award and Honor

Rethabile’s commitment to excellence in environmental science has been recognized through several prestigious awards. She received the South African National Biodiversity Institute Postgraduate Bursary for her Master’s degree, supporting her research on invasive species modeling. Additionally, she was granted the National Research Foundation (NRF) Innovation Award and NRF Honours Postgraduate Bursary, underscoring her academic merit and research potential. Her leadership and emerging influence in biodiversity conservation earned her the esteemed WWF Nedbank Green Trust Emerging Leaders Fellowship, administered by GreenMatter. These accolades reflect her contributions to ecological sustainability and her capability as a rising leader in natural sciences. Rethabile’s professional achievements are further amplified through affiliations with the South African Association of Botanists and her registration as a Candidate Scientist with the Southern African Council of Natural Science Professionals. Her award history highlights her dual strengths in rigorous scientific research and impactful environmental leadership.

Research Focus

Rethabile Frangenie Motloung’s research focuses on biodiversity data systems, species distribution modeling, and conservation planning. Her MSc research explored how climate-based species distribution models can predict the invasive potential of Australian Acacias, contributing valuable insights into managing ecological threats. At SANBI, her work emphasizes compiling species-level data for South Africa’s animal taxa, aligning conservation priorities with national biodiversity strategies. She is particularly interested in the biogeographical patterns of narrow-range endemic species, using spatial data and GIS tools to inform policy and prioritize conservation actions. Her work contributes to the foundational biodiversity knowledge base that supports legislation, planning frameworks, and the sustainable management of threatened ecosystems. Rethabile has presented on the role of bioclimatic modeling and endemic species conservation at national symposia, showcasing her ability to bridge scientific research with practical conservation needs. Her focus remains on integrating robust data into governance frameworks to support biodiversity protection in rapidly changing environments.

Research Skill

Rethabile possesses a versatile skill set that bridges research, policy, and project implementation. She excels in biodiversity policy development, environmental governance, and scientific data analysis. Her GIS proficiency supports spatial data mapping and species modeling, while her research background enables rigorous analysis of ecological data. With strong communication and facilitation skills, she effectively engages with governmental departments, NGOs, and scientific communities to promote sustainable practices. She is adept at organizing stakeholder workshops, writing technical reports, and developing legislative inputs. Rethabile is trained in project management, leadership for environmental sustainability, and sustainable development through programs from the Sustainability Institute and GreenMatter. Her ability to translate scientific evidence into practical policy recommendations enhances her impact in conservation planning. She thrives in collaborative, multidisciplinary settings and demonstrates high organizational competence in coordinating complex environmental projects. Her knowledge of civil society engagement and policy mainstreaming makes her a valuable contributor to biodiversity-focused initiatives in South Africa.