Prof Namrita Lall has turned a childhood belief in the healing power of plants into a groundbreaking career in science, innovation and community upliftment.

“I grew up using alternative plant-based medicines for things like indigestion and headaches,” says Lall, who is DSTI/ NRF Research Chair in Phytomedicine at the University of Pretoria and the winner of the NSTF-South32 Award for Innovation through an SMME.

That early faith has blossomed into more than 30 prototypes and commercialised products, more than 40 patents, and research that ranks in the top 1% globally in pharmacology and toxicology.

Despite South Africa being one of only 17 megadiverse countries with 10% of the world’s known plant species, few have been transformed into commercial health products. Lall’s mission is changing that through rigorous research and local partnerships.

Her innovations span natural treatments for cancer and drug-resistant TB, cosmeceuticals for pigmentation and ageing, and SA’s first plant-based oral care solution targeting periodontal disease. One compound, 7-methyljuglone, ranks among the top three natural products globally for TB treatment, while Limunone is now sold in pharmacies nationwide.

Each formulation undergoes rigorous lab work, human clinical trials, and safety testing. But for Lall, innovation extends beyond science. “These enterprises using my research aren’t just spin-outs; they’re engines of local economic development.”

Companies such as Letago Pharmaceuticals, Valoren Cosmetics and Muthi Futhi in KwaZulu-Natal create jobs, empower women, and help communities benefit from commercialising local biodiversity.

Lall bridges the academic and commercial worlds uniquely. Her students – predominantly women from historically disadvantaged backgrounds – learn intellectual property, market analysis, regulatory compliance and product development.

The most exciting part? “Our students are not only getting a degree, we’re actually doing something that could benefit mankind.”

Community engagement remains central. Lall views intellectual property as crucial for protecting indigenous knowledge and community interests. “We follow SA’s bioprospecting and benefit-sharing legislation closely. The communities where we work are always involved and benefit from scientific validation of their ancestral wisdom.”

Her plant selection follows two approaches: ethnobotanical selection based on traditional community uses and phytochemistry-driven selection targeting plants rich in specific compounds.

“We test these to see if we can validate their medicinal value,” she explains, emphasising the importance of scientific validation for traditional knowledge.

The journey hasn’t been easy. Unpredictable plant compounds, limited trial funding, and balancing family with academic demands create significant challenges. “A lot of women carry a heavy burden of guilt. When we’re at work, we’re thinking about home, and at home, we’re thinking about work. It’s about finding balance and perspective.”

She says it takes hard work to achieve success. “Of course, it helps if you are passionate about what you do; this helps one handle the pressures and disappointments a lot better.”

Winning the Innovation Award extends beyond her individual achievements to the communities, students and traditions behind every breakthrough.

“Recognition like this, especially for women researchers, showcases our valuable contributions to science and provides us with exposure,” she says. “My work is not just about the research. It’s about restoring value to our traditional knowledge, empowering women and youth, and creating products that the world needs.”

Read the special Mail & Guardian supplement about all the NSTF-South32 Award winners.