Research leader of the Molecular Plant-Pathogen Interactions group, Prof. Dave Berger, was awarded the National Science and Technology Forum (NSTF)-South32 special theme award at its annual awards evening on June 30. An umbrella stakeholder body for institutions, councils and organisations in  science, engineering, technology and innovation, the NSTF drives policy development in these sectors. South32 is a global resources company. The NSTF-South32 special theme award this year recognised contributions to crop science and food security in acknowledgement of the United Nations’ declaration of 2016 as the "International Year of Pulses". The award therefore acknowledged Prof. Berger’s extensive contributions to research on developing sustainable strategies for controlling diseases affecting important crops in Africa such as maize. Minister of Science and Technology Naledi Pandor addressed the ceremony. Past recipients of NSTF awards at FABI include Profs Brenda Wingfield and Zander Myburg.