A giant tree has fallen in South Africa. Since its falling, appreciation of its worth has burst into public consciousness.
Professor Bongani Mayosi, the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town was suffering from depression and took his own life on Friday 27 July 2018.
The 51-year-old cardiologist made international headlines last year for identifying a new gene, a major cause of sudden death by heart failure among young people and athletes. His breakthrough came after 20 years of persistent research and won him a place on the US National Academy of Medicine.
Over the years he has won countless scientific awards and was recognized as an A-rated researcher.
He was also known to have successfully negotiated with medical students demanding curriculum change at UCT. In a rare video clip that circulated amongst students last year, he is seen toyi-toying with medical students after intense discussions at the medical school last year.
In a statement released on Saturday, the day after his passing, parliament said his death has robbed South Africa of one of the finest brains and passionate health experts who still had so much more to offer the nation.