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27 August 2019
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Story Moeketsi Mogotsi
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Photo Johan Roux
The University of the Free State’s Student Representative Council (SRC) elections took place on the Bloemfontein,
Qwaqwa, and
South campuses during August.
The following candidates were successfully elected as 2019/2020 SRC members on our three respective campuses.
BLOEMFONTEIN CAMPUS SRC:President:Katleho Lechoo
Deputy President:Agobakwe Mboweni
Secretary:Nothabo Zungu
Treasurer:Zandile Makalima
Policy and Transformation:Kamohelo Thakheli
Student Development and First-Generation Students:Thobeka Buti
Commuter Students:Karabo Mtsweni
Associations Student Council:Mandilakhe Magalakanqa
Student Organisations Council:Dieketseng Motaung
Academic Student Council:Lebofsa Malete
Day Residence Council:Gert Terblanche
Campus Residence Council:Tyrone Willard
Postgraduate Student Council:Mahlomola Khasemene
International Student Council:Simba Matem
Student Media and Dialogue Council:Karabo Masike
Universal Access and Social Justice Council:Micaula Jewell
Civic and Social Responsibility Council:Nthato Musa
Arts and Culture Council:Motshidisi Rasego
Sports Council:Sphumelele Dube
QWAQWA CAMPUS SRC:President:Xolani Sandile Sibiya
Deputy President:Thembinkosi Phenyane
Secretary General:Nelisiwe Bridget Masango
Treasurer:Ntandoyenkosi Khumalo
Policy and Transformation:Bongiwe Nakile Khumalo
Student Development and First-Generation Students:Thokozani Siphiwe Zuma
Commuter Students:Thabiso Celimpilo Masuku
Media and Publicity:Simphiwe Sinenhlanhla Dube
Associations and Religious Affairs Student Council: Sicelo Mathews Twala
Campus Residence Council: Thabo Abraham Motaung
Arts and Culture Council:Andile Saviour Maseko
Academics Council:Siyabonga Mpumelelo Mbambo
Sports Council: Tshepiso Fortune Tshabalala
Universal Access and Social Justice Council: Siphamandla Joseph Shabangu
Postgraduate Student Council:Thato Karabo Moloi
International Student Council:Mamokete Mokhatla
SOUTH CAMPUS SRC:President: Phehellang Ralejoe
Deputy President:Nokubonga Mangaliso
Secretary:Mpumelelo Ndzube
Treasurer:Sithembiso Khoza
Policy and Transformation:Casles Phasha
Commuter Students:Sthembele Kunene
Researcher works on finding practical solutions to plant diseases for farmers
2017-10-03
Lisa Ann Rothman, researcher in the Department of
Plant Sciences.
Photo: Supplied
Plant disease epidemics have wreaked havoc for many centuries. Notable examples are the devastating Great Famine in Ireland and the Witches of Salem.
Plant diseases form, due to a reaction to suitable environments, when a susceptible host and viable disease causal organism are present. If the interactions between these three factors are monitored over space and time the outcome has the ability to form a “simplification of reality”. This is more formally known as a plant disease model. Lisa Ann Rothman, a researcher in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of the Free State (UFS) participated in the Three Minute Thesis competition in which she presented on Using mathematical models to predict plant disease.
Forecast models provide promise fighting plant diseases
The aim of Lisa’s study is to identify weather and other driving variables that interact with critical host growth stages and pathogens to favour disease incidence and severity, for future development of risk forecasting models. Lisa used the disease, sorghum grain mold, caused by colonisation of Fusarium graminearum, and concomitant mycotoxin production to illustrate the modelling process.
She said: “Internationally, forecasting models for many plant diseases exist and are applied commercially for important agricultural crops. The application of these models in a South African context has been limited, but provides promise for effective disease intervention technologies.
Contributing to the betterment of society
“My BSc Agric (Plant Pathology) undergraduate degree was completed in combination with Agrometeorology, agricultural weather science. I knew that I wanted to combine my love for weather science with my primary interest, Plant Pathology.
“My research is built on the statement of Lord Kelvin: ‘To measure is to know and if you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it’. Measuring the changes in plant disease epidemics allows for these models to be developed and ultimately provide practical solutions for our farmers. Plant disease prediction models have the potential ability to reduce the risk for famers, allowing the timing of fungicide applications to be optimised, thus protecting their yields and ultimately their livelihoods. I am continuing my studies in agriculture in the hope of contributing to the betterment of society.”