Community service
Introduction to Disaster Management and Incident Command Training (Short Learning Programme)
When: 22 September 2020
Where: Online (Blackboard Collaborate)
About the service
The South African National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) requested the University of the Free – Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa to assist with the centre's skills development. Without any hesitation, UFS-DiMTEC accepted the request and offered the half-day SLP online. A significant number of 32 participants from the NDMC - NERVECENTRE section attended the training. This Short Learning Programme (SLP) is our first online SLP in partnership with the NDMC.
Community service
African Capital Cities Sustainability Forum (ACCSF)
When: 24 to 26 June 2019
Where: City of Tshwane, South Africa
About the service
The Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, His Worship Cllr Stevens Mokgalapa, and ICLEI Africa invited Dr Johanes Belle to be a guest speaker at the 2019 ACCSF. Dr Belle received a certificate of attendance as a token of appreciation for his contribution to the forum.
Community service
National Science Week (NSW) in the Free State
When: 29 July to 1 August 2019
Where: University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
About the service
The University of the Free State, represented by Dr Johanes Belle, and the Central University of Technology, represented by Prof Masinde Mothuni, jointly organised the National Science Week (NSW) in the Free State. The NSW is an annual event sponsored by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and celebrated nationwide. The theme of the 2019 NSW was ‘Facing the harsh reality of climate change’. Activities during the NSW included a science fair and a high-level panel discussion on climate change and its impacts.
Community service
Board member of FSUFPA
Where: South Africa
About the service
Dr Belle was appointed as a board member of the Free State Umbrella Fire Protection Association.
Community service
Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa (DMISA), Free State region
About the service
Dr Belle remained the Regional Chairperson of the Free State Disaster Management Institute of Southern Africa and is a permanent member of the Provincial Disaster Management Advisory Forum.
Community service
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
When: 5 to 6 December 2019
Where: Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein, Free State
About the service
The theme of the 2019 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDR) was ‘Reduce disaster damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services’. UFS-DiMTEC was invited by the National Disaster Management Centre to participate in this prestigious annual event. Olivia Kunguma was the IDDR Conference Programme Director for the practitioner session, while Zukiswa Poto and Yong Nyam showcased the work done by UFS-DiMTEC.
The following organisations contributed through presentations on the work they are involved with and their management of critical infrastructures: the Department of Transport, Eskom, Department of Public Works, Department of Basic Education, Department of Water and Sanitation, Department of Health, South African Police Service, South African Weather Service, Gift of the Givers, and Lifesaving South Africa.
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