Photo: Chris Kirchhoff/MediaClubSA

Professor Phillip Tobias with a collection of fossil hominid skulls from east and southern Africa at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.

The Democratic Alliance is grieved to hear of the passing away of South Africa's most famous and best loved scientist, emeritus professor Philip Tobias.

Professor Tobias was one of this country's most honoured and decorated scientists, a leading expert in the fields of palaeoanthropology and human biology.

The good professor was also an outspoken critic of apartheid and campaigned actively for its abolition.

On behalf of the DA, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to Professor Philip Tobias' family as well as his friends and colleagues.

Professor Tobias' extensive contributions to the world of science, the deep impact he had on his colleagues and students, and the significant role he played in building South Africa's most important capital - human capital - will be sorely missed.

Junita Kloppers-Lourens, Shadow Minister of Science and Technology