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13 September 2023 | Story Samkelo Fetile | Photo Supplied
Agriculture Supply Chain - Ukraine
On Thursday 7 September 2023, the University of the Free State (UFS) presented its fifth webinar titled, The need for a global and regional plan/approach to respond to the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war, as part of the 2023 Thought-Leader Webinar Series.

Africa must avoid being instrumentalised by external conflict

In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the world has been grappling with the far-reaching consequences of this conflict. The effects can be felt globally – affecting economies, supply chains, and vital issues on the international agenda. These are some of the points discussed in the recent Thought-Leader webinar held by the University of the Free State (UFS). The webinar titled, The need for a global and regional plan/approach to respond to the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war, brought together experts such as Wandile Sihlobo, Chief Economist at the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa; Elizabeth Sidiropoulos, Chief Executive of the South African Institute of International Affairs; Dr Jakkie Cilliers, Chairperson of the Institute for Security Studies; and Prof Philippe Burger, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, UFS.

The webinar was facilitated by Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS.

Exploring Africa’s long-term future

Dr Cilliers delved into the long-term future of Africa; drawing comprehensive insights, his analysis highlighted the global shifts and their impact on the continent. He projected that China would surpass the United States as the world's most powerful country by mid-century, emphasising the need for Africa to navigate relations with both China, the EU, and the US for its development.

Four global scenarios were presented by Dr Cilliers: a sustainable world, a divided world, a world at war, and a growth world. The most probable scenario appeared to be a divided world, characterised by fragmented international relations and a growing divide between the wealthy West and the rest of the world. He stressed the importance of Africa pursuing geopolitical stability, avoiding being instrumentalised by external conflicts, and working towards a fair, rules-based global system.

He also touched on Russia's influence in Africa, noting its role in proxy wars and coups d'etat aimed at disrupting Western influence. “While Russia's direct presence in Africa was relatively small, its capacity to undermine the West and impact Africa's development prospects was significant,” said Dr Cilliers. He cautioned against overestimating Russia's influence and emphasised the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complex factors affecting Africa's future.

Global paradigm shifts

Sidiropoulos placed the ongoing war and global developments in a broader context, emphasising the need for a significant shift in how we perceive the world and its norms, calling for changes in economics, politics, and even ideology. Regarding the Ukraine conflict, she noted its role as a proxy and European war with far-reaching global consequences, highlighting the importance of understanding its historical context.

She discussed the evolving dynamics of the Ukraine conflict, where neither side has achieved its desired outcomes. She emphasised the potential for war fatigue and the need to consider alternative pathways, such as dialogue and negotiation, to avoid a frozen conflict or an outright victory by one party. She also underscored Russia's continued relevance as a great power with nuclear capabilities, prompting questions about the future of European security arrangements.

Shifting her focus to South Africa and Africa as a whole, Sidiropoulos stressed the importance of understanding the foreign policy of major global players such as Russia, China, and India. “As these countries rise in influence, it becomes essential to navigate their policies, both in terms of national interest and values,” she added.

Nonalignment and South Africa's foreign policy challenges

Sidiropoulos discussed the challenges presented by South Africa’s non-aligned stance. “There is a need for a coherent government-wide strategy, clear messaging, and the ability to make decisions based on issues and national interests rather than being automatically aligned with one camp or another.” The importance of preserving policy space and balancing economic interests with fundamental principles in international relations was emphasised.

She called on African countries to adopt a more proactive stance in shaping their path and ensuring that national interest serves the citizens and society, not just the elite. She stressed the importance of economic independence, not isolation, by leveraging opportunities such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), diversifying production, and strengthening governance for accountability.

Strengthening regional value chains

Sihlobo emphasised the vulnerability of the continent's food supplies and stressed Africa's dependence on food imports, highlighting that the continent imports approximately $80 billion worth of agricultural food, fibre, and beverage products. “Vulnerabilities in the food supply chain existed before the war due to factors such as drought, conflicts in East Africa, and COVID-19 supply chain disruptions. These vulnerabilities disproportionately affected Africa's poor households,” said Sihlobo.

South Africa, in contrast to much of Africa, exports nearly half of its agricultural production, amounting to around $13 billion in value. Despite exporting record volumes in 2022, South Africa has not escaped the price transmission effects of global disruptions, resulting in food inflation concerns. However, South Africa's situation was relatively better due to its export-oriented agriculture.

Sihlobo emphasised the need for Africa to strengthen regional value chains to insulate itself from external shocks. “Regional cooperation, productivity improvements, infrastructure development, and investments are essential for Africa's agricultural sector to thrive,” he added.

To enhance agricultural productivity in Africa, Sihlobo highlighted the importance of political stability, good governance, and infrastructure development. Productivity gains must replace extensive land expansion, with governments promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Need for ongoing containment

Prof Burger highlighted the importance of containment as a policy approach to address the ongoing Russia-Ukraine crisis. He emphasised the need to consider the moral, economic, and political dimensions of the crisis, while recognising its historical context.

He noted that the initial invasion of Ukraine led to spikes in global inflation. However, subsequent developments, including a military containment, contributed to a decrease in inflation rates. He likened the current military stalemate to World War I's trench warfare and the lack of significant military progress for protracted periods of time. He also highlighted that the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) of 2022 has expired, and Russia has shown reluctance to renew it. This ongoing stalemate and the risks associated with the non-renewal of the BSGI have raised questions about the prospects of the crisis.

Prof Burger discussed the concept of containment, differentiating between long-run changes in input prices and short-term fluctuations. “Successful containment involves interventions that prevent price movements from deviating significantly from long-term levels.” He pointed to successful containment interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine crisis. These measures included economic stimuli, vaccine distribution, rerouting of grain exports, and ensuring stable energy supply.

He briefly discussed the role of the expanded BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), which now includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and Argentina, in the context of the crisis. While acknowledging divisions within the group, he noted that BRICS allows China and India to pursue their international programmes more independently.

Prof Burger concluded by highlighting the need for containment in the face of a long-term military stalemate or the absence of a clear Ukrainian victory. He argued that containment in the form of a long-term ceasefire as in the Kashmir and Korea conflicts might be the most viable solution. In addition, the stability of the Putin regime and Western support for the Zelensky government would be crucial factors in determining the trajectory of the crisis.


WATCH: 2023 UFS Thought-Leader Series

News Archive

KovsieSport lauds its heroes of the year
2013-10-20

 

Maryka Holtzhausen and Wade van Niekerk
20 October 2013

The University of the Free State (UFS) honoured its top achievers at the Loch Logan Waterfront on Friday 18 October 2013. Maryka Holtzhausen and Wade van Niekerk were named the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year respectively.

The Junior Sportsman and Sportswoman for 2013 are Jacques du Toit and Izelle Lategan.

This year the university’s sport stars were honored in five categories. This includes:

  • Sportsman and Sportswoman of the year (everyone that represented South Africa at a senior level, was eligible for the title). The winners each received a trophy and each sportsman and sportswomen in this category were honored with a medal.
  • Junior sportsman and sportswoman of the year. The winners each received a trophy.
  • Sport stars that represented South Africa at senior and junior level. The achievers received certificates.
  • Sport stars that represented the UFS in the national student teams. The sport stars also received certificates.
  • Certificates were also awarded to the KovsieSport club sport stars.

The following students represented South Africa at senior level:

  • Maryka Holtzhausen was a member of the Protea Netball team that participated in the Fast5 World Series in Auckland, New Zealand, in November 2012. Maryka captained the victorious Protea Netball team in the African Cup in Malawi in May 2013 and was also the captain of the Protea team that toured England in September 2013.
  • Adele Niemand was a member of the victorious Protea Netball team in the African Cup in Malawi in May 2013. Adele obtained her 50th cap for the Proteas when she played for the Protea Netball team that toured England in September 2013.
  • Izelle Lategan was a member of the SA Senior Women’s Protea team that participated in the World Hockey League Round 1 and 2, as well as in the semifinals of the World Hockey League. Izelle was also part of the Protea Women’s team that participated in the Investec Series in England.
  • Tanya Brits was a member of the SA Senior Women’s Protea team that participated in the World Hockey League Round 1 and 2, as well as in the semifinals of the World Hockey League. Tanya was also part of the Protea Women’s team that participated in the Investec Series in England.
  • Hananja Steyn was a member of the national team that participated in the African Fencing Championships in Cape Town in 2013. Hananja also participated in the World Championship in Budapest during 2013.
  • Elsabe le Roux participated in the WKF Senior World Karate Championships in Paris in 2013. Elsabe was a member of the SA Protea team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Championships in Namibia in June 2013.
  • Diana Welmans was a member of the SA Protea team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Karate Championships in Namibia in June 2013.
  • Elme de Villiers was a member of the SA Badminton team that won gold at the All Africa team event and she played in the semifinals in the singles at the same event. Elme also reached the quarterfinals in the singles and obtained gold in the doubles at the Mauritius Open.
  • Sandra le Grange was a member of the SA Badminton team that won gold at the All Africa team event and she obtained a bronze medal in the singles at the same event. Sandra also reached the quarterfinals and obtained gold in the doubles at the Mauritius Open.
  • Karla Mostert was a member of the Protea Netball team that participated in the Fast5 World Series in Auckland, New Zealand, in November 2012. Karla was a member of the victorious Protea Netball team in the African Cup in Malawi in May 2013 and also toured England as a member of the Protea Netball team in September 2013.
  • Balungile Ngcofe was a member of the SA Protea team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Karate Championships in Namibia in June 2013.
  • Jan Petrus van der Merwe was a member of the SA Swimming team that participated in China and Australia during 2013.
  • Wayde van Niekerk was a member of the SA Athletics team that participated in the World Athletics Championships in Moscow, Russia, in 2013.
  • Wim Boshoff was a member of the SA Protea team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Karate Championships.
  • Tanya Basson was a member of the SA Judo team that competed in the World Kata Championships in Italy in 2013. Tanya was a member of the SA team to compete in the Africa Championships in Maputo in 2013 and she also competed in the World Kata Championships in Japan.

Sport stars that represented South Africa on junior level, are:

  • Danelle Willemse was a member of the SA U/21 Netball team that participated in the Netball Junior World Cup in Glasgow in 2013. She also represented the SA U/21 Netball team in the World Youth Championships in Singapore in 2013.
  • Diana Welmans was a member of the SA Protea team that participated in the Africa Zone 6 Karate Championships in Namibia in June 2013. She also participated as a member of the SA U/21 team in the UFAK Africa Karate Championships in Tunisia in August 2013 where she received a bronze medal.
  • Line Malan was a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that participated in the Hockey Junior World Cup in August 2013. She was also a member of the SA U/21 team that toured Europe in July 2013.
  • Nicole Walraven was a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that participated in the Hockey Junior World Cup in August 2013. She was also a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that toured Europe in July 2013. The SA U/21 team, of which Nicole was a member, won the Africa Cup Tournament in order to qualify for the Junior World Cup.
  • Cornelle Botha was a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that toured Europe in July 2013. The SA U/21 team, of which Cornelle was a member, won the Africa Cup Tournament in order to qualify for the Junior World Cup.
  • Lisa Hawker was a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that won the Africa Cup Tournament.
  • Izelle Lategan was not only a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that participated in the Hockey Junior World Cup in August 2013, but also captained the team. She also captained the SA U/21 Hockey team that toured Europe in July 2013 and won the Africa Cup Tournament in order to qualify for the Junior World Cup. Izelle’s outstanding performances was recognised by SAHA when she was announced as the SA Junior Hockey Player. She was also a member of the SA Senior Women’s Protea team that participated in the World Series Hockey League.
  • Tanya Brits was a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that participated in the Hockey Junior World Cup in August 2013. She was also a member of the SA U/21 Hockey team that toured Europe in July 2013 and won the Africa Cup Tournament in order to qualify for the Junior World Cup. Tanya was also a member of the SA Senior Women’s Protea team that participated in the World Series Hockey League.
  • Jacques du Toit was a member of the SA U/21 Rugby team that participated in the IRB Junior World Championships in 2013.
  • Andries Gous played as a SA U/19 Cricket player in a test series against England in January and February 2013, as well as in the One-Day Series against England during February and March 2013.
  • Wim Boshoff participated as a member of the SA U/21 team in the UFAK Africa Karate Championships in Tunisia in August 2013 where he received a bronze medal. He also participated in the Istanbul Open in Turkey in September 2013.

The KovsieSport club sport stars are:

  • Maryka Holtzhausen – Netball
  • Jaco Fourie – Hockey
  • Izelle Lategan – Hockey
  • Leonard Killeen – Cricket
  • Teboho (Oupa) Mohoje – Rugby
  • Duke Munro – Tennis
  • Christi Potgieter – Tennis
  • Ricco Sutil – Soccer
  • Choaro Khumisi – Soccer
  • Wayde van Niekerk – Athletics
  • Danelle Prinsloo - Athletics

B Category:

  • Jan Petrus van der Merwe – Aquatics
  • Elsabe le Roux – Karate
  • Tanya Basson– Judo

The USSA international participants were:

  • Wayde van Niekerk participated in the World Student Athletic Games in Russia in July 2013.
  • Gideon Trotter participated in the World Student Athletic Games in Russia in July 2013.
  • Rynhardt van Rensburg participated in the World Student Athletic Games in Russia in July 2013.
  • Dumisane Hlaselo participated in the World Student Athletic Games in Russia in July 2013.
  • Jaco Fourie participated in the World Student Hockey Games in Russia in July 2013.
  • Luke Sanan participated in the World Student Hockey Games in Russia in July 2013.
  • Robbie van Schalkwyk participated in the World Student Rugby Games in Russia in July 2013.
  • Elme de Villiers participated in the Student World Badminton Championships in Korea in November 2012.
  • Sandra le Grange participated in the Student World Badminton Championships in Korea in November 2012.

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