As Nompumelelo Obokoh concluded her service as a Member and Vice Chair of the Independent Science for Development Council (ISDC), the council took the opportunity to reflect on a tenure marked by both substance and spirit.
Mpumi played a defining role in ISDC’s recent evolution. As its first-ever Vice Chair, she helped shape the council’s direction at a critical time, bringing with her a strong foundation in innovation systems and a clear, thoughtful approach to complex scientific and strategic questions. Her ability to guide discussions toward clarity and action, combined with her collaborative and warm leadership style, left a lasting impression on both the council’s work and its culture.
Strengthening CGIAR’s Research Direction
Within the broader context of the CGIAR, ISDC serves as an independent advisory body on the quality and effectiveness of research for development. Mpumi’s contributions were central to strengthening this role.
She contributed extensively to ISDC’s reflections on the evolution of CGIAR's portfolio, helping to articulate practical approaches to assessing Quality of Research for Development (QoR4D), Comparative Advantage (CA), and inclusive innovation. Her work consistently bridged conceptual thinking with actionable insights, ensuring that ISDC’s advice remained both rigorous and relevant.
Since 2021, she had been actively involved in multiple portfolio reviews and in ISDC’s Megatrends work, helping situate CGIAR’s research within broader global dynamics. Her expertise made her a natural leader in the review of breeding programs, where she brought depth, clarity, and critical insight. She also contributed important perspectives on cross-cutting issues such as capacity sharing, reinforcing the importance of strengthening systems alongside delivering research outputs.
Championing Inclusive Innovation and Partnerships
Mpumi’s impact extended well beyond internal advisory work. She played a key role in communicating ISDC’s thinking and representing its work in global forums.
At the ISDC Science Forum 2024, she presented research from the Agricultural Systems special issue on advancing inclusive and effective agrifood systems research for development—an area closely aligned with ISDC’s sustained focus on inclusive innovation. In 2022, she led a session on inclusive partnerships for One CGIAR at the TropAg Conference in Brisbane, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in achieving meaningful development outcomes.
At a side event of the Food and Agriculture Organization Science and Innovation Forum in 2022, she helped frame discussions on how QoR4D could strengthen institutional innovation. She was also invited to speak at CGIAR Science Week, further highlighting her role as a visible and trusted representative of ISDC. Over time, she became one of the council’s most recognizable voices in external engagements.
A Lasting Contribution
Mpumi’s contribution to ISDC was distinctive not only in what she did, but in how she did it. Her thoughtful engagement, generosity, and ability to foster constructive dialogue strengthened both the quality of ISDC’s advice and the cohesion of its community.
Her departure marked the end of an important chapter for ISDC. At the same time, the influence of her work—across portfolio reviews, strategic reflections, and global engagement—continues to shape the council’s contribution to CGIAR’s mission.
Her legacy remains embedded in a stronger, more connected ISDC, and in the continued pursuit of science that advances sustainable and inclusive development.
ISDC extends its best wishes as she takes on new responsibilities, including her role with the World Intellectual Property Organization, and looks ahead to future moments of shared work and exchange.
"It has been a privilege to work alongside such a diverse and talented team, and I deeply appreciate the collaboration, insights, and spirit that have made ISDC’s work so meaningful." - Nompumelelo Obokoh.
