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03 April 2023 | Story Dr Cinde Greyling | Photo Susan Bowlus
Maye Musk
Maye Musk.

On 12 April 2023, the University of the Free State (UFS) will confer an Honorary Doctorate in Dietetics to Maye Musk. Honorary Doctorate is a prestigious title for individuals in recognition of their outstanding contribution to a particular field or society. It is based on generous and altruistic actions or lifetime accomplishments that benefit a community, nation, or humanity in general, which makes Musk a perfect recipient for this esteemed award. 

Musk is an international best-selling author, dietitian, model, and public speaker. Her book, A woman makes a plan, is available in 100 countries and published in 30 languages. She has run her own nutrition business in eight cities and three countries for more than 45 years. Her company offered  professional services in counselling, speaking, consulting, writing, and media work. In addition to her skills, Musk’s leadership traits pivoted her into being the first Representative of the Consulting Dietitians of South Africa, President of the Consulting Dietitians of Canada, and Chair of the Nutrition Entrepreneurs, Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition.

Paving the way for many to follow in her footsteps, Musk was the first dietitian to run a website, and the only dietitian to take the registration exams in three countries. Her passion for nutrition and empowerment has seen her speak at events around the world, including Melbourne, Stockholm, Kiev, Budapest, Cannes, Beirut and most of the major cities in the USA, Canada, and South Africa. She also won the Outstanding Nutrition Entrepreneur Award in the USA.

Considering all Musk’s accomplishments, it is inspiring that her research studies in nutritional sciences began at the University of the Free State when she was accepted for a Diploma in Hospital Dietetics at the Universitas Hospital. Upon completion, she was offered a bursary for a Master of Science degree before moving to Canada, her country of birth.

The UFS is privileged to be associated with Musk, and grateful for her contribution to the field of nutrition, which affects overall human well-being. The awarding of the honorary degree coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Department of Dietetics. 

News Archive

Fracking in the Karoo has advantages and disadvantages
2012-05-25

 

Dr Danie Vermeulen
Photo: Leatitia Pienaar
25 May 2012

Fracking for shale gas in the Karoo was laid bare during a public lecture by Dr Danie Vermeulen, Director of the Institute for Groundwater Studies (IGS). He shared facts, figures and research with his audience. No “yes” or “no” vote was cast. The audience was left to decide for itself.

The exploitation of shale gas in the pristine Karoo has probably been one of the most debated issues in South Africa since 2011.
 
Dr Vermeulen’s lecture, “The shale gas story in the Karoo: both sides of the coin”, was the first in a series presented by the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Science under the theme “Sustainability”. Dr Vermeulen is a trained geo-hydrologist and geologist. He has been involved in fracking in South Africa since the debate started. He went on a study tour to the USA in 2011 to learn more about fracking and he visited the USA to further his investigation in May 2012.
 
Some of the information he shared, includes:

- It is estimated that South Africa has the fifth-largest shale-gas reserves in the world, following on China, the USA, Argentina and Mexico.
- Flow-back water is stored in sealed tanks and not in flow-back dams.
- Fracturing will not contaminate the water in an area, as the drilling of the wells will go far deeper than the groundwater aquifers. Every well has four steel casings – one within the other – with the gaps between them sealed with cement.
- More than a million hydraulic fracturing simulations took place in the USA without compromising fresh groundwater. The surface activities can cause problems because that is where man-made and managerial operations could cause pollution.
- Water use for shale-gas exploration is lower than for other kinds of energy, but the fact that the Karoo is an arid region makes the use of groundwater a sensitive issue. Dr Vermeulen highlighted this aspect as his major concern regarding shale-gas exploration.
- The cost to develop is a quarter of the cost for an oil well in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Dolerite intrusions in the Karoo are an unresearched concern. Dolerite is unique to the South African situation. Dolerite intrusion temperatures exceed 900 °C.

He also addressed the shale-gas footprint, well decommissioning and site reclamation, radio activity in the shale and the low possibility of seismic events.
 
Dr Vermeulen said South Africa is a net importer of energy. About 90% of its power supply is coal-based. For continued economic growth, South Africa needs a stable energy supply. It is also forecast that energy demand in South Africa is growing faster than the average global demand.
 
Unknowns to be addressed in research and exploration are the gas reserves and gas needs of South Africa. Do we have enough water? What will be the visual and social impact? Who must do the exploration?
 
“Only exploration will give us these answers,” Dr Vermeulen said.

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