OBITUARY: Professor H.H. (Esté) Vorster (11/01/1943 – 23/06/2020)
Professor H.H. (Esté) Vorster was a Director of the Centre of Excellence for Nutrition in the Faculty of Health Sciences of the North-West University (NWU), Potchefstroom, South Africa. She obtained a DSc. in Physiology from NWU (previously Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education) in 1989 with a thesis titled, “The effects of dietary fibre on lipid and haemostatic risk factors of noncommunicable diseases”.
Professor Vorster started nutrition research at NWU in the 1980s. She conceptualised nutrition as a multidisciplinary domain, from molecules to society, and pioneered research and infrastructure development to address malnutrition problems in Africa on basic (molecular and genetic), clinical and epidemiological levels. She was internationally recognised for her work on the role of dietary fibre in health, the relationship between diet and blood coagulation, and her contribution to understanding the nutrition transition and its determinants and consequences in Africa.
A dedicated capacity builder and initiator of research, Professor Vorster supervised many PhD and MSc students and published widely, including more than 300 research papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals, books, chapters in books, editorials and research reports.
She received many awards recognising her value-driven contribution as a thought leader and transdisciplinary thinker. These included a B1-rating from the National Research Foundation (she enjoyed considerable international recognition by her peers for the high quality and impact of her research outputs), the Nutrition Society of South Africa's (NSSA) award for ‘Outstanding Contributions to Nutrition Research’, the prestigious Havenga Medalje vir Geneeskunde for scientific outputs in Medical Sciences, and the African Nutrition Society Nevin Scrimshaw award for ‘Vision and leadership in nutrition training and service to international nutrition’. She was a Fellow of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), elected for rendering outstanding service to the cause of nutrition.
Professor Vorster was a skilled leader and networker, handling conflict masterfully and solving problems amicably. She served on several councils, working groups and panels: Chair and President of the NSSA; Secretary-General of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); member of Die Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns; the South Africa-Netherlands Programme for Alternatives in Development; the Women’s Outreach Foundation, and; the 5-a-day for Better Health Trust.
Professor Vorster organised and chaired the International Nutrition Congress in Durban in 2005. She served as consultant and scientific advisor to the South African National Department of Health, as well as to international agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), FAO, CODEX Alimentarius and UNICEF. She made an important contribution as a member of the WHO/FAO Working Group on Carbohydrates and Energy Requirements. She initiated the Food Based Dietary Guideline (FBDG) process that resulted in the acceptance of these guidelines as the official standard of the South African Department of Health. She also worked as an international consultant to the WHO to develop and implement FBDGs in several countries. She was on the editorial boards of a number of international nutrition and health journals.
Professor Vorster’s understanding of the basic sciences was exceptional and she was able to advise on programme implementation at a population level. Throughout her career she not only performed cutting edge research but also applied research methodologies - from a molecular to an epidemiological level - to advance the understanding of nutrition and influence local and global policy. She was a keen advocate for public health nutrition in South Africa, recognising that if students were trained in an illness paradigm the country would not be able to deal with its nutritional challenges.
Professor Vorster will be remembered as joyful, energetic and kind. Sadly, she will also be remembered for her bravery in her battle with cancer. She was admired for her exceptional social skills and always had time to exchange a friendly word in English, Afrikaans or isiZulu with everyone who crossed her path. She dealt with all people with respect, gentleness and tact. Her love for her children and grandchildren was admirable and her faith in God never wavered.
Professor Vorster’s pioneering work created many opportunities for numerous South African nutrition researchers and professionals, and she was an inspiration to all who had the privilege of working with, studying under, and being mentored by her. Her legacy lives on in the countless scientists and practitioners who benefitted from her mentorship over the span of her illustrious and visionary career. We honour our South African nutrition champion, Prof Esté.
From the staff of the Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, NWU, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
For any further information contact Prof Marius Smuts marius.smuts@nwu.ac.za
To share a memory or condolence message go to https://www.remembr.com/este.vorster
OBITUARY: Professor H.H. (Esté) Vorster (11/01/1943 – 23/06/2020)
Professor H.H. (Esté) Vorster was a Director of the Centre of Excellence for Nutrition in the Faculty of Health Sciences of the North-West University (NWU), Potchefstroom, South Africa. She obtained a DSc. in Physiology from NWU (previously Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education) in 1989 with a thesis titled, “The effects of dietary fibre on lipid and haemostatic risk factors of noncommunicable diseases”.
Professor Vorster started nutrition research at NWU in the 1980s. She conceptualised nutrition as a multidisciplinary domain, from molecules to society, and pioneered research and infrastructure development to address malnutrition problems in Africa on basic (molecular and genetic), clinical and epidemiological levels. She was internationally recognised for her work on the role of dietary fibre in health, the relationship between diet and blood coagulation, and her contribution to understanding the nutrition transition and its determinants and consequences in Africa.
A dedicated capacity builder and initiator of research, Professor Vorster supervised many PhD and MSc students and published widely, including more than 300 research papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals, books, chapters in books, editorials and research reports.
She received many awards recognising her value-driven contribution as a thought leader and transdisciplinary thinker. These included a B1-rating from the National Research Foundation (she enjoyed considerable international recognition by her peers for the high quality and impact of her research outputs), the Nutrition Society of South Africa's (NSSA) award for ‘Outstanding Contributions to Nutrition Research’, the prestigious Havenga Medalje vir Geneeskunde for scientific outputs in Medical Sciences, and the African Nutrition Society Nevin Scrimshaw award for ‘Vision and leadership in nutrition training and service to international nutrition’. She was a Fellow of the International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), elected for rendering outstanding service to the cause of nutrition.
Professor Vorster was a skilled leader and networker, handling conflict masterfully and solving problems amicably. She served on several councils, working groups and panels: Chair and President of the NSSA; Secretary-General of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf); member of Die Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns; the South Africa-Netherlands Programme for Alternatives in Development; the Women’s Outreach Foundation, and; the 5-a-day for Better Health Trust.
Professor Vorster organised and chaired the International Nutrition Congress in Durban in 2005. She served as consultant and scientific advisor to the South African National Department of Health, as well as to international agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO), FAO, CODEX Alimentarius and UNICEF. She made an important contribution as a member of the WHO/FAO Working Group on Carbohydrates and Energy Requirements. She initiated the Food Based Dietary Guideline (FBDG) process that resulted in the acceptance of these guidelines as the official standard of the South African Department of Health. She also worked as an international consultant to the WHO to develop and implement FBDGs in several countries. She was on the editorial boards of a number of international nutrition and health journals.
Professor Vorster’s understanding of the basic sciences was exceptional and she was able to advise on programme implementation at a population level. Throughout her career she not only performed cutting edge research but also applied research methodologies - from a molecular to an epidemiological level - to advance the understanding of nutrition and influence local and global policy. She was a keen advocate for public health nutrition in South Africa, recognising that if students were trained in an illness paradigm the country would not be able to deal with its nutritional challenges.
Professor Vorster will be remembered as joyful, energetic and kind. Sadly, she will also be remembered for her bravery in her battle with cancer. She was admired for her exceptional social skills and always had time to exchange a friendly word in English, Afrikaans or isiZulu with everyone who crossed her path. She dealt with all people with respect, gentleness and tact. Her love for her children and grandchildren was admirable and her faith in God never wavered.
Professor Vorster’s pioneering work created many opportunities for numerous South African nutrition researchers and professionals, and she was an inspiration to all who had the privilege of working with, studying under, and being mentored by her. Her legacy lives on in the countless scientists and practitioners who benefitted from her mentorship over the span of her illustrious and visionary career. We honour our South African nutrition champion, Prof Esté.
From the staff of the Centre of Excellence for Nutrition, NWU, Potchefstroom, South Africa.
For any further information contact Prof Marius Smuts marius.smuts@nwu.ac.za
To share a memory or condolence message go to https://www.remembr.com/este.vorster
