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‘People must be at the centre of what we do’

07 September 2020 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied

Thuli Mphambukeli_read more — With the research grant awarded to Dr Thulisile Mphambukeli, she has the opportunity to make a difference in society, especially in terms of the incorporation of social justice into planning.

The Joint National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences (NIHSS) and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) research projects have awarded a R500 000 research grant to a team led by Dr Thulisile Mphambukeli, the principal investigator (PI).

Within the parameters of the theme of social justice, sustainable development, and quality of life, Dr Mphambukeli’s team will focus their research on exploring the land policies in BRICS that inform agricultural practices. They will also document the policy approaches and strategies adopted by China and South Africa respectively to support the agriculture-land-water-labour nexus; additionally, they will propose a common agricultural land policy for China and South Africa.

The title of the research project is: Exploring the Situated Political Ecology and Economy of Agricultural Land Policies in BRICS: A Case Study of China and South Africa.

Dr Mphambukeli, who is passionate about social justice, is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of the Free State (UFS). With this project, she has the opportunity to make a difference in society, especially in terms of social justice.

We don’t want to see the next generation suffer because we did not use our voice.- Dr Thulisile Mphambukeli

The human factor is crucial

“We need to understand the dynamics of local communities. The incorporation of social justice in planning is crucial! We cannot claim that we ‘plan for people’ and ignore them at the same time. People must be at the centre of what we do. No one must be deprived of their fundamental basic human rights.”

The team consists of Dr Mphambukeli (PI), Prof Peliwe Lolwana (University of the Witwatersrand), Dr Victor Okorie (Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Nigeria), and Dr Abraham Matamanda (UFS).

For this initiative, the China Africa Institute (CAI), which is part of CASS, joined hands with the NIHSS. Together, they will oversee the research projects of researchers and academics from South Africa and China. The research project, running from 1 April this year to 31 March 2021, will bring forth publications/research outputs, advocacy policy briefs, and proceeding reports.

The programme aims to strengthen research in the field of the humanities and social sciences between the two countries.

Support the fight against climate change

She believes that although the BRICS countries are not geographically connected, it is a functional community with the same interests. “As BRICS countries, we need to cooperate in the fight against climate change. It affects so many components, including water, food, agriculture, land, and quality of infrastructure,” says Dr Mphambukeli.

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, researchers will meet online to discuss how China and South Africa can collaborate and cooperate. “We don’t want to see the next generation suffer because we did not use our voice,” she says.

News Archive

New Genetics building on Bloemfontein Campus spirals into new frontiers

2015-09-11

On Thursday 3 September 2015, the Department of Genetics hosted the official opening of its new offices on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS).

Prof Jonathan Jansen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the UFS, Prof Neil Heideman, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, and Prof Paul Grobler, Head of the Department of Genetics cut the ribbon, symbolising the opening of this building with its state-of-the-art facilities.

The new genetics building boasts a new administration block with a reception area, seven offices, a small committee room, and a seminar room for 50 people. Furthermore, the undergraduate laboratory block provides a laboratory for 150 students. The research block has facilities for 30 researchers.

This building also hosts a chemical waste sorting and storage facility. This is a first for the university.

Several sites were investigated for the new building, but due to its size and envisaged second phase, a “green fields” site was found on the western side of the campus. The main entrance caters for visitors from the north, students on foot, and those using the parking area in front of the library. The secondary south entrance is for those who use the dedicated parking area south of the building. The link between these two entrances is the spine of the building, a helix with services/buildings spaced on either side. The helix will be extended in the second phase to keep the circulation and linkage of buildings as simple as possible.

In his opening speech, Prof Grobler gave a breakdown of the history of the Department of Genetics. Today, this department, which opened its doors at the UFS in 1960, is proud of its 131 students and 46 honours students.

According to Major-General Edward Ngokha, Head of the Forensic Science Laboratory, students who graduate from the UFS in the field of genetics make excellent employees. The Forensic Science Laboratory has employed 25 honours students since the BSc Honours degree in Genetics was implemented in 2010.

“The UFS delivers education of high quality and high standards. Thank you for your contribution toward fighting crime by delivering well-prepared, committed employees,” said Major-General Ngokha.

The department presents programmes on population conservation genetics, plant molecular genetics, cytogenetics, forensic genetics, forensic science, human genetics, and behavioural genetics.

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