Nehemiah Latolla

For Nehemiah Latolla, 32, the future of medicine is rooted in tradition. Raised in the Eastern Cape by missionary parents, Nehemiah grew up with a respect for community service, indigenous knowledge and education. His fascination with the healing power of plants began in his grandmother’s garden and sparked a curiosity for the science behind traditional medicine. He is at the forefront of research into  South African medicinal plants. He is a postdoctoral research fellow in human physiology at Nelson Mandela University. His work explores the properties of indigenous plants, using advanced 3D cell culture models to develop affordable, culturally resonant therapies for diseases like cancer and diabetes. A respected scientist, mentor and educator, Nehemiah bridges traditional knowledge with modern biomedical research. His work has earned him recognition, including awards from the Federation of Commonwealth Chemical Sciences Societies and the 2022 FameLab  International winner. He has been instrumental in fostering African research networks, leading partnerships on the continent, and inspiring the next generation through outreach and mentorship.

• PhD in Chemistry, Nelson Mandela University – research focus on isolation and evaluation of the antidiabetic potential of alkaloids from South African medicinal plants
• Master of Technology (MTech) in Chemistry, Nelson Mandela University
• Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Chemistry, Nelson Mandela University
• National Diploma in Analytical Chemistry, Nelson Mandela University
• UNILEAD Training Course, University of Oldenburg, Germany (2024) 
• Early Career Academics’ Advancement Programme, Nelson Mandela University

• Winning the FameLab International competition in 2022 
• Researching the anticancer and antidiabetic properties of indigenous medicinal plants. This work received recognition from the Federation of Commonwealth Chemical Sciences Societies’ 3rd Commonwealth Chemistry Posters Event
• Leading the African Partnerships and Collaboration Portfolio in the International Office marked a leadership milestone, resulting in selection as one of 25 emerging university leaders from Africa, the Middle East, Latin America and Southeast Asia to participate in the prestigious UNILEAD Programme at the University of Oldenburg in Germany 

Two people who have profoundly shaped the person and professional I am today are my dearly departed father, Solomon Latolla, and my long-time research supervisor and mentor, Dr Buyiswa Hlangothi. My father was a missionary and community leader whose life embodied service, humility and unwavering faith. I watched him move through spaces of deep need with compassion and resolve, never seeking recognition but always committed to changing lives. His example taught me that leadership begins with listening, and that one’s purpose must always be tied to people. He instilled in me a reverence for education, a belief in community and the courage to pursue my path, even when it looked unfamiliar. Dr Hlangothi has been a pillar in my academic journey, from undergraduate studies to postdoctoral research. She not only mentored my scientific thinking but also affirmed the value of indigenous knowledge and local relevance in research. Her belief in my potential gave me the confidence to explore, publish and lead. Under her guidance, I’ve learnt that rigorous science and cultural consciousness are not opposites, but partners.