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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

UFS acknowledge 53 for long service

2004-11-03

Long service awards for 35 years: Mrs. Christa du Plessis, Centre for Higher Education studies and Development, mnr. John Moorosi, Soil- and Crop- and Climate Sciences , prof. Frederick Fourie, rector, prof. Jopie Botha, Institute for Groundwater Studies, me. Susan Reineke, Plant Sciences, Dr. Sarie van Vuuren of Sociology and me. Aletta de Klerk, Kovsie Sport.

Fifty three personnel members received long service awards in the centenary year of the university for respectively 35 years of service and 25 years of service.

Prof. Frederick Fourie, Rector, said to the recipients of the long service awards: “In a year in which the writing of history of the UFS took a prominent place in the Centenary celebrations and in which one relived the past hundred years, the value we add to the university on a daily basis is clearly visible. Many personnel members contributed to make the UFS a valued institution and will proceed to do that in the spirit of 100+.”

He thanked and acknowledged personnel for the plus they add to each day’s work. “The students which enter the UFS each year, want to thank you for an university which on an innovative manner impacted their lives. “You helped to create the building blocks for their future,” he said.

Prof. J. F. Botha, Mr M.G. Botha, Ms A. De Klerk, Mr M.J. Doman, Prof. H.C. Janse van Rensburg and Ms S.M.C. Reinecke received awards for 35 years of service.

For 25 years of service at the university Prof. S.L. Barnard, Mr B. Botma, Dr H. J. Breytenbach, Dr M.W. Brussow, Mr N.L. Combrink, Ms A.J. Du Plessis, Ms C. Du Plessis, Prof. L. Goedhals, Mr M.E. Hlazo, Prof. B.B. Hoek, Dr S.J.E. Janse van Vuuren, Mr M. Kgasane, Ms A. Kgosi, Dr W.P. Konig, Dr P.A.L. Le Roux, Prof. N.J. Luwes, Dr N. Luyt, Ms S.E. November, Ms M. Mabaso, Ms M.K. Maruping, Prof. J.D. Marx, Mr J.P. Masedi, Mr G. Mokapane, Mr J. Mokapane, Ms M.L. Molosi, Ms M.M. Molwagale, Mr P.J. Moorosi, Ms C. Moroagae, Ms E. Moroale, Mr G.G. Mothokwane, Prof. M. Mulder, Prof. A.C. Otto, Ms H. Pelser, Ms E. Pelzer, Ms M.M. Pheko, Prof. E. Pretorius, Ms M.P. Richter, Ms E. Rouls, Prof. M.T. Seaman, Prof. R.B. Snowdowne, Prof. J.P. Strauss, Ms M.S. Tsolo, Prof. H.J. van der Linde, Dr S. van Vuuren, Prof. J.B. van Wyk, Dr J.M. van Zyl, Prof. T. Verschoor and Ms M.H.S. York received an long service award.

“Be assured of my appreciation for your loyalty and commitment to a university which is taking careful steps into a new century of its existence. If we do the right things right and with a sincere belief in our heavenly Father we will be able to build on the solid foundation laid by people like you,” he said.

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