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10 November 2023 | Story André Damons | Photo SUPPLIED
Muthianzhele Ravuluma receives an award from Prof Sebastian Leuzinger from the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand.
Muthianzhele Ravuluma receives an award from Prof Sebastian Leuzinger from the Auckland University of Technology in New Zealand.

A PhD student from the University of the Free State (UFS) has won the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) Young Minds award for the Best Paper and Best Poster Presentation during the 12th International Workshop on Sap Flow, which was held in Rotorua, New Zealand.

Muthianzhele Ravuluma from the Department of Soil, Crop, and Climate Science who is working on his PhD in Agrometeorology, presented a paper on “Sapflow Dynamics of Young and Mature Pomegranate Trees Under Irrigation” during the four-day symposium that took place between 30 October and 3 November 2023. Agrometeorology is the study of the soil, plant and atmosphere continuum. In simple terms, it is called agricultural meteorology, which is the study of the influence of weather and climate on agriculture.

Encourage do and learn more 

“I feel thankful to being given an opportunity like this, and winning the award was a surprise. Still, I am happy and grateful for the support from my promoters and the Pomegranate Water Use Project members. This encourages me to do more and to learn more about new technologies in the field of agriculture,” he says. 

Ravuluma travelled to New Zealand with his promotor Dr Phumudzo Tharaga to present his research and to learn from other researchers is the field. His research looks at the water use of pomegranate trees under irrigation in a Mediterranean climate. 

A proud Dr Tharaga says he is happy to know that the guidance he has been giving to Ravuluma is fruitful and improving his academic and research capabilities. “I feel proud as a supervisor, which makes my dream come true of ensuring that all postgraduate students can showcase their work on international stages,” says Dr Tharaga. 

Hosting next symposium 

Together with Prof Rob Skelton from Wits University, they also successfully bid to host in the 13th International Sap Flow Workshop in South Africa – beating China and the US in the process. All three colleagues will collaborate as conveners of the workshop in South Africa during October/November 2026. 

“It is an honour to be recognised and entrusted by the international community of scientists who would like to showcase their work in South Africa. As the convener of the conference, I am happy that it will be hosted in our country for the first time since the inception of the Sap Flow Working Group. Scientists and researchers in South Africa will be able to interact with their peers from different parts of the world,” concludes Dr Tharaga.

Dr Phumudzo Tharaga congratulates Muthianzhele Ravuluma on winning the prestigious award.

Dr Phumudzo Tharaga congratulates Muthianzhele Ravuluma on winning the  prestigious award. 

News Archive

Kovsie Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year
2011-10-19

 

Thuso Mpuang en Gabisile Hlumbane
Foto: Leonie Bolleurs

KovsieSport honoured its top achievers at a glamorous gala dinner in the Centenary Complex on our Bloemfontein Campus on 13 October 2011.

The KovsieSportsman and KovsieSportswoman of the year were Thuso Mpuang and Gabisile Hlumbane respectively.

Gabisile is a member of the Banyana Banyana National Soccer Team. The team obtained a bronze medal at the African Women’s Championships during October 2010, a gold medal at the Unity Cup Hosted during December 2010, a silver medal at the COSAFA Women’s Championship hosted during July 2011 and qualified for the London Olympics in 2012.

Thuso represented South Africa during the World Athletic Championships in Deague, Korea. He obtained the silver medal in the 200m during the World Student Games in Shenzhen, China and a gold medal as a member of the 4 x 100m relay team.

Pieter Rademan (rugby) and Karla Mostert (netball) were named as the Junior Sportman and Sportwoman of the year, respectively.

Other nominations for this year in the women’s category were:

  • Lesley Ann George (hockey) – Represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbajan. She was also a member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Champs Challenge in Ireland. The team finished fifth.
  • Nicole de Vries (hockey) – Represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbajan. She was also a member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Africa Cup in Bulawayo.  The team obtained a gold medal.
  • Hettie Oosthuizen (hockey) – Represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbajan.
  • Izelle Lategan (hockey) – Represented the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the series against China, Belgium and Azerbajan.
  • Nicole Kemp (hockey) – Member of the Protea Women’s Hockey Team during the Africa Cup in Bulawayo. The team obtained a gold medal.
  • Nelmaré Loubser (triathlon) – Represented the SA Elite Team during the World Championships in Spain.
  • Janette Siebert (athletics) – Represented South Africa during the Southern Africa Championships in Maputo, Mozambique.
  • Elsabe le Roux (karate) – Member of Protea JKA Shotokan Karate team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championships in Maputo where she obtained a gold and silver medal.

Other nominations for this year in the men’s category were:

  • Boy Soke (athletics) - Represented South Africa during the Africa Cross Country Championships in Cape Town. He also represented South Africa during the World Cross Country Championships in China.
  • Boom Prinsloo (rugby) – He represented the Springboks in the HSBC Sevens World Series 2010 – 2011.
  • Bruno Schwalbach (karate) – Member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championships in Maputo where he obtained two gold medals. He was also a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate team that participated in the Common Wealth Karate Championship in Australia where he obtained one silver and two bronze medals. He was a member of the Protea JKA Shotokan Karate team that participated in the All Africa Games in Maputo Mozambique where he obtained a bronze medal.
  • Paul Rodrigues (squash) – He represented the South African U/ 23 team at the All Africa Squash Championships in Johannesburg.
  • Balungile Nchofe (karate) – He was a member of Protea JKA Shotokan Karate team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championship in Maputo where he obtained a gold medal.
     

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