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Research and Innovation Accelerating Transformation towards Global Sustainability

06 February 2023 | Story Edzani Nephalela | Photo FVH Productions

Happy Khambule, a former commissioner of President Cyril Ramaphosa's Climate Change Commission and the Environment and Energy Manager at Business Unity South Africa (BUSA), emphasised that consensus could be the key to global transformation. He highlights the 2030 National Development Plan's 'Just Transition', which aims for environmental sustainability, decent work, social inclusiveness, and poverty elimination.

A unified effort from multiple stakeholders is needed to effectively address the effects of global warming on agriculture, food security, electricity outages, and infrastructure damage caused by natural disasters. These were some key observations from speakers during the Fifth National Global Change Conference (GCC5) at the University of the Free State (UFS) from 30 January to 2 February 2023.

The conference, hosted by the UFS, the Department of Science and Innovation, and the National Research Foundation (NRF), saw academics, government officials, and other stakeholders from across the country gather on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus.

Topics discussed during the four-day conference included climate change and biodiversity, alternative energy, ocean monitoring, resilient cities and communities, technologies for global change, etc.

Consensus decision-making strategy

Looking at South Africa's current energy crisis, Prof Dawid Serfontein, Professor in the Renewable Energy Research Group at North-West University (NWU), told delegates that power outages could be managed more effectively if role players in the coal and solar sectors and communities work together to address this problem.

“The prospects of electricity generation in South Africa are clouded by disagreements and competing ideas among those with access to resources. The market has been transformed – while cheap and high-quality coal and labour were readily available in the past, all the top-notch coal has been depleted. The coal that is used today is 40% lower in quality and is causing harm to power plants. Nuclear energy, on the other hand, has become an unaffordable option due to stringent regulations. This poses challenges for those who need access. However, by collaborating, we can improve access and affordability of renewable resources such as solar panels, despite the coal shortage," said Dr Serfontein.

Happy Khambule, Manager of Environment and Energy at Business Unity South Africa and former adviser to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Climate Change Commission, echoed similar sentiments and said that addressing the effect of global warming requires a unified effort from multiple stakeholders to ensure the success of these strategies.

“To tackle the impact of global warming on food security and agriculture, it is important to be practical and consider all relevant factors. This necessitates collaboration among multiple stakeholders for effective implementation of these strategies," Khambule indicated, referring to the 2030 National Development Plan and the Climate Change Policy.

Expectations and outcomes

Prof Francis Petersen, Rector and Vice-Chancellor, also spoke about the effects of climate change in his welcoming address at the start of the conference. He told delegates that high temperatures, extreme weather, droughts, floods, the depletion of water resources and biodiversity, soil erosion, and decreased subsistence economies could impact human health and safety, food and water security, and socio-economic development.

The attendees also conducted a tree-planting ceremony in honour of the late Profs Maarten de Wit, Earth Stewardship Professor at Nelson Mandela University (NMU) and founder Director of the African Earth Observatory Network (AEON), and Bob Scholes, former Professor of Systems Ecology, a Director of the Global Change Institute (GCI) and a Distinguished Professor at Wits, recognising their significant contributions to climate-change research.

Prof Francis Petersen, UFS Rector and Vice-Chancellor speaking at the opening ceremony of GCC5 on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus

Prof Francois Engelbrecht speaks during the GCCS.

Delegates attending the GCC5 at the UFS.

Prof Tshilidzi Marwala, outgoing Vice-Chancellor and Principal at UJ delivered the GCC5 keynote address

A delegate listening to one of speakers during GCC5

The opening ceremony in the Wynand Mouton Theatre on the UFS Bloemfontein Campus

From the left; Prof Thilidizi Marwala; Mr Shonisani Munzhedzi; Dr Phil Mjwara; Prof Francis Petersen; Mr Thembeni Nxangisa; Mr Imraan Patel and Prof Fulufhelo Nelwamondo

A plaque honouring the late Prof Maarten de Wit was installed during a tree planting ceremony at GCC5.

Another plaque honouring the late Prof Bob Scholes was installed during a tree planting ceremony at GCC5.

News Archive

King Moshoeshoe comes alive on national television

2004-11-02

Honourable Bethuel Pakalitha Mosisili, Prime Minister of Lesotho, and his wife; King Letsie III of Lesotho and Dr Ezekiel Moraka, Vice-Rector: Student Affairs at the UFS during the première of the film at the Royal Palace in Lesotho

The ground-breaking documentary film on the life and legacy of King Moshoeshoe, the founder of the Basotho nation, will come alive on Thursday 4 November 2004 when it is screened on SABC2 at 21:00

The film, called Moshoeshoe: The Renaissance King, forms part of a larger project by the University of the Free State (UFS) to honour the Moshoeshoe legacy of nation-building and reconciliation and to explore his role as a model of African leadership. It was produced by the well-known journalist Mr Max du Preez and commissioned by the UFS as part of its centenary celebrations.

The SABC2 screening was preceded by a première in Bloemfontein last month, and was attended by provincial political leaders.

This past weekend there was a première at the Royal Palace in Lesotho, which was attended by King Letsie III, the prime minister, the chief justice, judges, the president of the senate, cabinet ministers and directors-general.

“Through this documentary film the UFS commits itself to developing a shared appreciation of the history of this country and to the establishment of the Free State Province as a model of reconciliation and nation-building. King Moshoeshoe is also a strong common element, and binding factor, in the relationship between South Africa/the Free State, and its neighbour, Lesotho,” said Prof Frederick Fourie, Rector and Vice-Chancellor of the UFS.

“Not all people in South Africa know the history of Moshoeshoe. Many Basotho – but not all – are well versed in the history of Moshoeshoe, and his name is honoured in many a street, town and township. Many white people know little of him, or have a very constrained or even biased view of his role and legacy. In Africa and the world, he is much less known than, for instance, Shaka,” said Prof Fourie.

“King Moshoeshoe did a remarkable thing in forging a new nation out of a fragmented society. He also created a remarkable spirit of reconciliation and a remarkable spirit of leadership,” said Prof Fourie.

According to Prof Fourie we already benefit from his legacy: the people of the Free State share a tradition of moderation and reconciliation rather than one of aggression and domination. “For the UFS this is also part of real transformation – of creating a new unity amidst our diversity,” said Prof Fourie.

“We also find in the legacy of King Moshoeshoe the possibility of a “founding philosophy”, or “defining philosophy”, for the African renaissance. To develop this philosophy, we must gain a deeper understanding of what really happened there, of his role, of his leadership. Therefore the UFS will encourage and support further research into the history, politics and sociology of the Moshoeshoe period, including his leadership style,” said Prof Fourie.

Media release
Issued by: Lacea Loader
Media Representative
Tel: (051) 401-2584
Cell: 083 645 2454
E-mail: loaderl.stg@mail.uovs.ac.za
2 November 2004

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