Taking Rooibos Research Beyond the Laboratory

Prof Jeanine Marnewick recently delivered a presentation titled “Beyond the laboratory – relevance, impact and utilisation of research on rooibos, a natural health strategy” at the Nutrition Society of South Africa (NSSA) Cape Branch Mini Symposium, held at the University of the Western Cape.

The theme of the event, which was held on International Sustainable Gastronomy Day, was Let Food Be Thy Medicine.

Marnewick, Research Chair: Biotechnology and Director: Applied Microbial and Health Biotechnology Institute (AMHBI), and her team are consistently committed to disseminating their impactful research across multiple platforms to bridge the gap between science and society. Rooibos research led by Marnewick, was selected as one of the 23 Impact Case Studies published on the USAf website in 2025.

"This symposium provided me with the perfect opportunity to share how a quarter of a century of focused research into Rooibos’ health benefits exceeded academic boundaries. As scientists, it is critical to translate our complex data into accessible, scientifically substantiated interventions that serve the public good. For emerging researchers, your research should not stop at the laboratory bench or in peer-reviewed publications, as the ultimate value of your data lies in its utilisation,” she said.

Dr Mariska Lilly, senior researcher at AMHBI and also involved in rooibos research, serves as a committee member of the Nutrition Society of South Africa (NSSA) (Cape Branch) and formed part of the organising committee responsible for coordinating the mini symposium.

The programme featured invited speakers from the research communities at CPUT and UWC, together with experts from industry, who explored diverse aspects of nutrition and health. Topics included the healing potential of indigenous and locally sourced foods, the ethical considerations surrounding functional foods and food marketing, and the value of traditional knowledge in advancing health and nutrition research.

The symposium was well attended by researchers, postgraduate students, industry representatives and members of the public, providing an engaging platform for interdisciplinary discussion and knowledge exchange while highlighting the importance of translating scientific research into meaningful societal impact.

Dr Nelisiwe Maleka, Manager of Research Uptake, also attended the symposium. Maleka indicated that “it is very important for us to walk alongside researchers and support them in every way we can in our collective efforts to maximise the visibility, uptake and impact of CPUT research, ensuring its benefits to the broader society”.

Written by CPUT News
Email: news@cput.ac.za