By Nangamso Mabindla

East London's Dr Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer is to follow in the footsteps of icons Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu: clay casts of her feet are to be placed next to theirs in a park dedicated to South African heroes.

Clay casts were taken of the 95-year-old scientist's feet at a ceremony at the East London Museum last week.

These will then be placed at Heroes Park, an initiative of Eastern Cape Premier Makhenkesi Stofile, which is being built next to the German Settlers Monument in Quigney in East London. The park, which overlooks the ocean, is to be established to celebrate and remember some of the province's heroes.

Courtenay-Latimer, the woman who discovered the coelacanth in 1938, says she feels honoured and this, her latest achievement in a career spanning more than 40 years, is one of the best things to ever happen to her. "I have not met either of the icons I'll be alongside, but would dearly love to meet Nelson Mandela. It's really an honour to be still remembered for something I did 44 years ago," Courtenay-Latimer says.

Dedication
She received an honourary doctorate from Rhodes University in 1973 for her work and dedication to the field of marine research. "I was happy that people acknowledged my contribution to science and marine biology."

Her memory belies her age as she recalls the first time she set eyes on the fabled coelacanth. "Everyday someone knocks on my door to talk about the coelacanth, my career and the East London Museum."

The scientist was director of the East London Museum from 1945 to 1973. "When I first came to the museum," she recalls, "there was nothing to interest people. I took it on myself to make sure that it is what it is today."

Much of the beadwork on display at the museum, and many of the other cultural artifacts were collected by Courtenay-Latimer.

Influence
Current museum curator, Kevin Cole, says Courtenay-Latimer put many of the collections in the museum together. "She did a lot for the museum and deserves the honour of having her footprints placed in Heroes Park."

He adds that if it was not for her influence "many of us wouldn't have been working for the museum or wouldn't have interested in the marine biology field".

As Courtenay-Latimer, she believes there are still many areas in the depths of the oceans that still need to be explored. "I would love to find other mysteries in the ocean, like plants, maybe insects, other interesting mysteries."

Right now she's preparing herself to entertain visitors for the Ocean and Exploration conference to be held in the city later this month where she will be guest speaker.

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