Malaria is an often lethal disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite and transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes. It is endemic to large parts of Africa, including a few regions in the north-eastern corner of South Africa.

To meet South Africa's goal of eliminating malaria from the country by 2018, innovative approaches are needed to control it. The University of Pretoria Institute for Sustainable Malaria Control (UP ISMC) is taking a transdisciplinary approach to malaria control, with a special focus on communities in the Vhembe area of Limpopo province, where researchers are working with communities to understand their needs and to pilot new technologies and solutions to the challenges of malaria control in South Africa.

At the University of Pretoria, we believe that the solutions to global problems can be found in the research we do today. Visit our Research Matters website to find out how UP researchers are making today matter with projects to combat malaria.