After 17 years of dedicated service to the National Fish Collection, Vuyani Hanisi, Collections Assistant at the NRF-South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB), has received an extraordinary honour: a newly discovered fish species has been named after him — Glossogobius hanisii.
The fish, part of a recent taxonomic study by NRF-SAIAB scientists, recognises Vuyani’s long-standing and exceptional contribution to the Collections Facility. “When I was told that a fish had been named after me, I felt happy and proud,” said Vuyani. “I asked myself, ‘Why me?’”
Vuyani Hanisi holding a jar of the Glossogobius hanisii
Vuyani’s journey at SAIAB began in 2007 as a casual worker, just as the Institute was expanding and moving its specimens into a new, empty collections building. Over time, his dedication and work ethic earned him a permanent role, and he became a cornerstone of the collections team.
Vuyani embraced every challenge. He credits his early mentors, like Senior Curator Roger Bills, for guiding him and feeding his hunger for knowledge. “I wasn’t scared to work with chemicals. I was eager to learn, and the team supported me every step of the way,” he recalls.
Vuyani’s responsibilities include shelving jars and tanks, managing and recycling ethanol, and assisting scientists with locating and preparing specimens. His familiarity with the collection shelves ensures that researchers can work more efficiently. “I help process new specimens through formalin and ethanol stages, and I regularly check ethanol levels to preserve the integrity of our collections,” he explains.
“As a Christian, I believe we are called to care for the life in the sea. When I learned that our role was to preserve specimens for research that helps the environment, I felt ready and excited to begin my journey,” he shared.
His commitment to excellence is deeply personal. “I grew up in a poor household as the oldest child. I’m grateful to now provide for my family and give my children the education I never had,” said Vuyani, who holds a matric certificate. His strong work ethic is also supported by a positive workplace environment. “Our Collections Manager, Nkosinathi Mazungula, is patient and always explains systems like Specify. I also appreciate the respect I get from colleagues; it makes it easy to come to work each day.”
The recognition of Vuyani’s work is deeply meaningful to both him and his family. “I feel blessed to be honoured while I’m still alive and to see my family so proud of me,” he said.
NRF-SAIAB researcher and lead author Fattah Zarei highlighted the importance of recognising contributions like Vuyani’s: “While it’s more common for species to be named after scientists or collectors, we felt it was important to honour Vuyani’s exceptional behind-the-scenes contributions. His dedication to curating one of the largest fish collections in the southern hemisphere (with over million preserved specimens) has been invaluable.”
Fattah adds, “Support staff like Vuyani are often overlooked, yet their work underpins everything we do. From preservation to accessibility, they ensure our collections serve research and conservation. Science is a team effort—and Vuyani’s name on this species is a fitting tribute to that truth.”
As Glossogobius hanisii enters the scientific record, it carries more than just biological significance, it stands as a lasting tribute to a man whose dedication and humility have quietly powered years of discovery.
