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11 February 2022
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Story Phumudzo Tharaga
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Photo Supplied
From the left: Dr Antony Chapoto, Dr Tinashe Lindel Dirwai, Mr Jerry Dlamini, and Mr Phumudzo Tharaga collecting soil samples, assessing viable irrigation systems for implementation, and analysing the micro- and macro-climatic conditions for the establishment of avocado orchards in Mumbwa, Zambia.
The collaborative efforts are expected to yield the establishment of a cross-border and transdisciplinary global think-tank institution. The visiting UFS scientists met with
Dr Antony Chapoto, the Research Director at IAPRI, and
Prof Elijah Phiri from UNZA. Dr Chapoto is a global expert in food policy, climate change, and livelihood research, while Prof Phiri specialises in agro-hydrology and soil physics. The visit was meant to foster and drive transdisciplinary research in the agricultural sector. Transdisciplinary research is key to reforming the think-tank space.
Joint collaborations
During the visit in Zambia, the team comprising Dr Tinashe Lindel Dirwai, agricultural engineer;
Jerry Dlamini, agronomist; and Phumudzo Tharaga, agrometeorologist, visited villages that are still practising nomadic agricultural methods. Dlamini and Tharaga, both part of the
New Generation of Academics Programme (nGAP) – a prestigious programme of the Department of Higher Education and Training – joined Dr Dirwai on his visit to the sites where avocado orchards are being established by the locals with assistance from IAPRI and the UFS scientists. The scientists were also introduced to the local chiefs and headman of the villages, in order to establish relations with the local communities on the outskirts of Zambia. The UFS team also visited the long-term experimental site conducted by the University of Zambia on conservation agriculture and its impact on groundwater sources. The UNZA team is involved in maize research focused on assessing the sustainability of groundwater fluctuations and yield components of conservation agriculture and conventional tillage. The project sums up a long-term joint UNZA and EU collaboration.
UFS Centenary 2004/05: Sports Festival
2004-05-07
Win or lose! It is part of sportsmanship. The Kovsie Sports Festival will take place on Thursday, 13 May to Saturday, 15 May 2004, as part of the UFS’s centenary celebrations. Through this event, Kovsiesport will focus on the many sports opportunities offered on campus. Fit or unfit, first team or no team, there is an opportunity for every staff member and student to participate.
This exceptional sporting weekend will start on Thursday, 13 May 2004 at 17:15, with a 2,5km fun run (or walk) on the campus. It will start at Pellies Park (the first official rugby field on campus). Men and women will take part separately in five different categories. They are:
- Lecturing staff members
- Administrative staff members
- Support service staff members
- Hostel residents
- Alumni
After the fun day on Thursday, the serious sports activities will commence. Different league matches are scheduled to take place from Friday, 14 May to Saturday afternoon, 15 May 2004. The Northern Tertiary Tennis League, as well as the Cross Country City League will take place. Hockey, netball, cricket, squash, basket ball, rugby and soccer matches have also been scheduled. The Shimla’s City Cup match will take place on Saturday afternoon on Shimla Park.
After the sports activities on Saturday evening, we will have another chance to socialize. Medix Residence is organising a special Idols concert at 19:00 in the Callie Human Centre as part of this fun weekend. Idols from 2002 and 2003 will perform. They are Brandon October, Anke Pietrangelli, Poseletso Sejosingoe and Bianca le Grange. Tickets are available at Computicket (Greyhound stall, Tourist Centre in Park Way).
The festival will be a weekend to relax and enjoy. Please participate in the fun walk, support Kovsiesport and join the Idols in an evening of song.