Gone but never forgotten
UKZN professor and researcher, Cephas Musabayane died on 12 June following a short illness.
THE community of the University of KwaZulu-Natal bid a sad farewell to Prof Cephas Musabayane, who died on 12 June following a short illness.
Prof Musabayane will best be remembered for his groundbreaking research into the development of the world’s first insulin skin patch that is able to provide sustained dosages of insulin to patients with Type 2 Diabetes.
Prof Cephas Musabayane was a full professor in Human Physiology in the School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences. He joined UKZN in 2003 as professor and became the Head of the School of Medical Sciences in the previous Faculty of Health Sciences, a position he held for four years.
“Professor Musabayane embodied the qualities of the quintessential academic. Not only was his passion for teaching and research self-evident, his concerns for his students overall well-being stretched far beyond the normal boundaries of academia. Comments frequently heard from his students included descriptors such as father-like figure, inspirational, motivational, work-horse, loving, straightforward but caring, and being a fighter in the face of hardship,” said Prof William Daniels, Dean and Head of the School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences.
Daniels said in terms of his contribution to teaching, Prof Musabayane exemplified the function and spirit of a teacher true to his calling.
“The manner in which he delivered his lecture content, readily embracing modern technology, was often used to demonstrate the essence of successful Pedagogy in Health Sciences to young colleagues. He left his mark in the classroom as a scholar and inspired young students to greater heights,” he said.
Underpinning this excellence in teaching was his great love for research of which the pinnacle must include having five PhD students at the 2015 graduation ceremony. His areas of research included Diabetes, Malaria and Renal Physiology. He obtained national and international recognition for his work through presentations and more than 80 publications. His accolades included being made a Life Fellow of the Physiology Society of Southern Africa and membership of both the American and British Physiological Societies.He was also well known internationall for his work on the insulin patch for the management of people with Type 2 Diabetes.
“Students and colleagues, past and present will fondly remember Professor Musabayane for his boldness, courage, commitment, high work ethic and professionalism. We want to express our gratitude for the invaluable contributions he made to Human Physiology at UKZN, and thank his family for sharing this exceptional man with us,” said Daniels.
