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07 August 2019 | Story Charlene Stanley | Photo Stephen Collett
Prof Francis Petersen, Prof Puleng LenkaBula, William Bulwane and Min Thoko Didiza
Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor; Prof Puleng LenkaBula, Vice-Rector: Institutional Change, Student Affairs, and Community Engagement; Mr Kwekwe William Bulwane, Free State MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development; and Ms Thoko Didiza, Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development, who presented the 2019 Charlotte Maxeke public lecture.

“This work is not for yourselves. Kill that spirit of self. Do not live above your people. Live with them.” 
These famous words by Charlotte Maxeke, one of South Africa’s leading academic and social pioneers, formed the thrust of Minister Thoko Didiza's public lecture in a packed Equitas Auditorium on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus, three days before South Africans celebrate Woman’s Day.

The Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister urged her audience to heed the “rich lessons this remarkable woman holds for our generation today”, in a lecture with the topic: Feminist Leadership, Intergenerational Dialogue on Knowledge, Agriculture and Sustainable Futures.

Educational pioneer

Referring to Maxeke’s many academic and cultural achievements, Minister Didiza pointed out that, “Her educational achievements did not make her see her fellow Africans any differently. It made her want to change their lives for the better.”
She called Maxeke a “true feminist, with an inclusive vision to fight for the betterment of all South Africans”.

This was echoed by Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor, in his welcoming address. He singled out the fact that Maxeke used to spend long hours tutoring her less skilled classmates while still at school.
“This wonderful example of using your own knowledge to make a real impact in the lives of others, is something we at the University of the Free State truly salute,” he said.  

Women’s conversation on land

On the topic of land reform, Minister Didiza referred to the fact that countries all over the world were involved in a ‘continuous process’ of land reform. She appealed to all South Africans to get involved in dialogues around the land issue.
“I know the pain and the cries of African people when it relates to land. But I don’t hear the cries and concerns of our white compatriots. Because until we understand each other’s pain, we will never be able to navigate the future.”
Minister Didiza then called for a ‘women’s conversation on land’, as she believed women to be ‘calmer’ than men and more inclined to collaborate with and listen to one another on an issue that is vital to all South African communities. 

Knowledge should lead to action

Minister Didiza said she believed universities had an important role to play in “gaining collective knowledge to solve problems”, and that agriculture should be a key focus area here – “benefitting from innovations in other sectors”.
“We need to urgently revitalise agriculture to once again bring glory to the Free State,” she said.
 “Knowledge means nothing if not translated into action and solutions for the problems we face in South Africa,” she concluded.

The Charlotte Maxeke lecture has been presented annually since 2009. Previous speakers include Minister Angie Motshekga, Prof Hlengiwe Mkhize and Dr Frene Ginwala.
 
Who was Charlotte Maxeke?

The CMM Institute describes her in this way:
“Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke (1871–1919) was a pioneering South African woman who was passionate about inclusivity, education and evangelism. She grasped every opportunity presented to her and accomplished many notable firsts during her lifetime.”
These ‘firsts’ include:
- being the first black woman in South Africa to obtain a BSc degree (at Wilberforce University in the United States of America in 1901);
- being the first woman to participate in the King’s Courts under King Sabata Dalindyebo of the AbaThembu;
- being the first African woman to establish a school (in Evaton, with her husband, in 1908);
- being the only woman who attended and contributed to the first African National Congress (ANC) conference in 1912; and
- being the co-initiator, organiser, and first President of the Bantu Women’s League, founded in 1918.

News Archive

Sunflowers are satellite dishes for sunshine, or are they?
2016-07-20

Eighty-six percent of South Africa’s
sunflowers are produced in the
Free State and North West provinces.

Helen Mirren, the English actress, said “the sunflower is like a satellite dish for sunshine”. However, researchers at the University of the Free State (UFS) have found that too much of this sunshine could have a negative effect on the growth of sunflowers, which are a major source of oil in South Africa.

According to Dr Gert Ceronio from the Department of Soil, Crop, and Climate Sciences at the UFS, extremely high soil temperatures play a definite role in the sprouting of sunflower seedlings. Together with Lize Henning, professional officer in the department, and Dr André Nel from the Agricultural Research Council, he is doing research on biotic and abiotic factors that could have an impact on sunflowers.

Description: Sonneblom 2 Tags: Sonneblom 2

Various degrees of deformity (bad-left
to none-right) in seedlings of the same
cultivar at very high soil temperatures.
Photo: Dr Gert Ceronio

Impact of high temperatures on sunflower production

The Free State and North West provinces, which produce 86% of South Africa’s sunflowers, are afflicted especially by high summer temperatures that lead to extremely high soil temperatures.

Dr Ceronio says: “Although sunflower seeds are able to germinate at temperatures from as low as 4°C to as high as 41°C, soil temperatures of 35°C and higher could have a negative effect on the vegetative faculty of sunflower seedlings, and could have an adverse effect on the percentage of sunflowers that germinate. From the end of November until mid-January, this is a common phenomenon in the sandy soil of the Free State and North West provinces. Soil temperatures can easily exceed the critical temperature of 43°C, which can lead to poor germination and even the replanting of sunflowers.”

Since temperature have a huge impact not only on the germination of sunflower seeds, but also on the vegetative faculty and sprouting of sunflower seedlings, Dr Ceronio suggests that sunflowers should be planted in soil with soil temperatures of 22 to 30°C. Planting is usually done in October and early November. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, as soil moisture is not optimal for growth. Farmers are then compelled to plant sunflowers later.

Impact of herbicides on sunflower growth

“High soil temperatures, combined with the herbicide sensitivity of some cultivars, could lead to the poor development of seedlings," says Dr Ceronio.

The use of herbicides, such as ALACHLOR, for the control of weeds in sunflowers is common practice in sunflower production. It has already been determined that ALACHLOR could still have a damaging effect on the seedlings of some cultivars during germination and sprouting, even at recommended application dosages.

“The purpose of the continued research is to establish the sensitivity of sunflower cultivars to ALACHLOR when exposed to high soil temperatures,” says Dr Ceronio.

 

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