“Science, Service, and the Soil, a visionary aiming to revolutionize Africa’s healthcare systems through Biotechnology.”

Lordy Gabriel Molisho, a student who might be called the jack of all trades by some because of who he has established himself to be. Lecturer. Researcher. Farmer. Mentor. Master’s candidate. Deputy Chairperson of the Biotechnology and Food Technology Student Society (BFFSS). These are just some of the few titles Lordy-Gabriel Molisho wears and he wears them with purpose and dedication to each role.
In this conversation, we explore the journey of a young, ambitious Congolese man who strives to reach far beyond the lab and into the hearts of his community and his country.

Who is Lordy-Gabriel Molisho?
Born in Paris, Lordy-Gabriel is the firstborn of his family. The name Lordy was not a birth given name, it was a nickname given to him before birth and like all nicknames, it just kinda stuck with him. Despite his global upbringing, Lordy’s roots and vision are grounded in Congo, where he runs a farm. Currently pursuing a master’s in Biotechnology and lecturing at the University of Johannesburg, he is committed to using science to transform lives, particularly back home.
“I am also the Deputy Chairperson of the Biotechnology and Food Student Society,” he says with great joy. “Everything I do- teaching, mentoring, farming- ties back to my belief in service.”

Why Biotechnology?
Biotechnology is not a common field in Congo, which makes Lordy’s path all the more remarkable. He credits his passion for science and his country to his father, who pursued a PhD in organic chemistry and is now a professor in Kinshasa. After completing primary school at Saint Raphael and Libota Lisantu, and high school at the Bobokoli Institute, Lordy not one, but two matric certificates- one through the Congolese system and another from the American School in Kinshasa. Originally, he dreamed of becoming a doctor. But as he matured, that dream evolved. “I realised I did not want to treat symptoms- I wanted to address the root causes. Medicine treats the sick, but I wanted to prevent illness altogether.” He reflects that the recurring health crisis in Congo- from cholera outbreaks to poor healthcare infrastructure- shaped his thinking. But it wasn’t just disease. “I watched how doctors juggled long hours at multiple hospitals, often at the expense of their families. I am a family person- I didn’t want that.”

Family, Discipline and moving to South Africa.
Lordy’s journey to South Africa was not without it’s emotional challenges. “The first night I arrived I cried. I realised the old version of me had to go. I had to grow up.”
He stayed with his family in Midrand and already knew English but despite that advantage, he still had trouble adjusting. “I had to become my own motivator. An important statement he remembers his mother saying is that, “You do not eat until you shower.” Now, I had to hold myself accountable.”
Despite all the challenges that came with having to adapt, Lordy credits his father’s approach to discipline- incentives, not pressure- for his internal drive. “In primary school, I was not a top student. But my dad knew how to motivate us. He never forced excellence, he inspired it.”

Academic Excellence and Finding Purpose at UJ.
Despite the challenges, Lordy quickly found his rhythm at the University of Johannesburg. “I applied only at UJ. I met a Congolese student on the first day who told me I would probably spend six years instead of four. That fired me up.” For many this such a statement would have been demotivating, but for Lordy it was motivation. He showed that everything can be motivation and a chance to prove one’s self, granted the right attitude is shown and a greater will power and mentality are incorporated into it all. He immersed himself in his studies, arriving in lectures already familiar with the material. The result? He finished his first year as the top achiever in his faculty.
When asked what he would say to his younger self, he says: “You know your goals better than anyone. You will doubt yourself- and that is okay. But stay flexible. Life won’t always be perfect, but your purpose should guide your decisions.”

Giving Back Through UJCS.
Lordy’s leadership extends beyond academics. He joined the UJ Congolese Society-UJCS- in his first year after hearing about it from a family friend called Nadine. When Covid-19 hit, the society took a break and was not as operational but once the pandemic resided, Lordy returned as a committee member and later became a project manager for two years, serving as the society’s financial officer in 2023. He later explained that he believes that leadership is when one knows that they are the one serving instead of been served. It led him and his team-Divin and Jonathan- to unit Congolese students, believing that unity is important.
Lordy’s entire academic journey is really one to marvel at but as an international student, he had struggles. Being an international student had it’s ups and downs and something that he highlighted is that far too often people feel threatened, especially by international students but that did not discourage him. Instead he kept because of this one truth: “excellence speaks for it’s self. If you know your work, no one can take that away,” he explains. His focus remains clear: to finish his academic journey in South Africa, then return to Congo and make a difference. “I didn’t come here to stay. My goal is to take this knowledge back home.”

Lordy’s joy is evident when he talks about Biotechnology and it definitely speaks to why he remains motivated through out the entire course. He states that he did not know what Biotechnology was until he watched a documentary which sparked his interest and curiosity. He explains: “Biotech uses microorganisms- bacteria, viruses, proteins- to create things that benefit society. From vaccines to diagnostic tools, the possibilities are endless.”
He specialises in diagnostic tool development and nano-biotechnology, aiming to build field tools that can give results in under an hour without lab infrastructure. “We need tools we can take to the villages, tools that will be fast, affordable, and effective. No one in the U.S. is researching Typhoid because it is not THEIR problems but OURS.”

To end off the interview, Lordy spoke a little on his dream for Congo, stating that it was crystal clear. “Congo’s issue is not that it lacks people- it is the lack of the right people in the right places. We need to become those right people.” He calls on fellow Congolese students to be disciplined, passionate, and above all, goal-driven. “We need to fix what previous generations could not fix, the right people won’t fall from the sky- we are them.”
Lordy’s long term goals are to pursue a PhD but his ultimate dream is to establish a science and technology institution in Congo. He states that his purpose is to leverage modern science to solve his country’s problems.
Lordy left a message for all Congolese students:
“Believe in your dreams- even if no one sees it. You are the only one who truly understands it. Work towards it. Shine- but put in the work.”