Southern African Society for Plant Pathology
Advancing Agriculture in Southern Africa

2026 Biennial Congress & Awards

The University of KwaZulu-Natal hosted the 54th Biennial Congress of the Southern African Society for Plant Pathology (SASPP) at the Premier Hotel Umhlanga, from 18 – 21 January 2026, with the theme: “Ukuqinisekisa Ikusasa Elisimeme Ngempilo Yezitshalo” (English translation “Ensuring a Sustainable Future through Plant Health”). The organising committee was chaired by Prof Augustine Gubba. and included Prof Kwasi Yobo, Dr Benice Sivparsad and Dr Nokwazi Mbili.

From left: Dr Cheryl Lennox (SASPP President), Prof Augustine Gubba, Dr Nokwazi Mbili, Dr Benice Sivparsad, and Prof Kwasi Yobo
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Welcome Function

Welcome to City of eThekwini – Honourable Mayor of eThekwini, Cllr Cyril Xaba
UKZN Welcome Address – Prof. Neil Koorbanally
Prof. Neil Koorbanally (UKZN Dean of Research), Cllr Cyril Xaba (Honourable Mayor of eThekwini) and Prof Augustine Gubba (Chair of LOC)

Memorial Address Speakers

JE Vanderplank Memorial Address – Prof. Karen Garrett (University of Florida)
Ethyl M. Doidge Memorial Address – Dr. Alan Wood (ARC-PHP)

Keynote Address Speakers

Prof. Mark Laing (UKZN)
Prof. Tafadzwanashe Mabhaudhi (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)
Prof. Gueguim Kana (UKZN)
Dr. Eugene Rogozhin (Russian Academy of Sciences)
Prof. Carolee Bull (Penn State)
Dr. Jesús Navas-Castillo (Institute for Subtropical and Mediterranean Horticulture)
Dr Georgios Vidalakis (University of California)

Session Chairs

Dr Lindy Rose, Dr Julia Meitz-Hopkins, Prof Jolanda Roux, Prof Mark Laing, Dr Khumbuzile Bophela-Dimpe, Dr Lisa Rothmann, Prof Irene Barnes, Prof Paul Fourie, Prof Gerda Fourie, Prof Teresa Coutinho, Dr Lindy Esterhuizen, Prof Hano Maree, Dr Norman Muzhiniji, Dr Tendekai Mahlanza with Prof Gus Gubba (Chair of LOC). Not pictured: Dr Benice Sivparsad, Prof Willem Boshoff

2026 Society Awards

Christiaan Hendrik Persoon Medal

Professor Lindsey Du Toit

Professor Lindsey Du Toit with Dr Cheryl Lennox (President of SASPP)

Applied Plant Pathology Award

Dr Providence Moyo

Dr Providence Moyo with Dr Cheryl Lennox (President of SASPP) and Dr Lindy Rose (Secretary of SASPP)

Publicity Award of the SASPP Society

Dr Belinda Janse van Rensburg

Dr Belinda Janse van Rensburg with Dr Lindy Rose (Secretary of SASPP) and Dr Gert van Coller (Treasurer of SASPP)

J.E. Vanderplank Award

Dr Wilma Nel

Dr Wilma Nel with Dr Lindy Rose (Secretary of SASPP) and Dr Gert van Coller (Treasurer of SASPP)

Fellow

Professor Altus Viljoen

Professor Altus Viljoen with Dr Cheryl Lennox (President of SASPP)

John and Petakin Mildenhall Best PhD Award

Dr Huibrecht Schreuder

Dr Huibrecht Schreuder with Dr Lindy Rose (Secretary of SASPP) and Dr Gert van Coller (Treasurer of SASPP)

SASPP Society Awardees

SASPP Society Awardees: Dr Huibrecht Schreuder, Dr Providence Moyo, Dr Wilma Nel, Professor Lindsey Du Toit, Dr Belinda Janse van Rensburg, Professor Altus Viljoen (with Dr Cheryl Lennox (President of SASPP), Dr Gert van Coller (Treasurer of SASPP) and Dr Lindy Rose (Secretary of SASPP)

2026 Congress Awards

Best Student presentation in Molecular Biology

Jos Jansen van Vuuren

Jos Jansen van Vuuren with Prof Gus Gubba (Chair of LOC) and Pule Shabalala (Inqaba Biotech)

SASPP Plant Health Products Floating Trophy for Best Oral presentation on Biological Control

Raven Wienk

Raven Wienk with Prof Gus Gubba (Chair of LOC) and De Bruyn Myburgh (Pannar)

PANNAR Award for Best Poster Presentation by a Student

Alishia Van Heerden

Alishia Van Heerden with Prof Gus Gubba (Chair of LOC) and De Bruyn Myburgh (Pannar)

PANNAR Floating Trophy for Best Oral Presentation by a Student

Nhlonipho Ngubane

Nhlonipho Ngubane with Prof Gus Gubba (Chair of LOC) and De Bruyn Myburgh (Pannar)
SASPP Congress Awardees: Nhlonipho Ngubane, Raven Wienk, Jos Jansen van Vuuren, Alishia Van Heerden with Dr Cheryl Lennox (President of SASPP) and Prof Gus Gubba (Chair of LOC)
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Our Sponsors

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