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Mammals the focus of Prof Frank Zachos’ inaugural lecture

04 April 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Stephen Collett

Prof Frank Zachos, a scientist and Head of the Mammal Collection at the Natural History Museum (NHM) in Vienna – one of the world’s largest natural history museums – recently delivered his inaugural lecture at the University of the Free State (UFS) on the Bloemfontein Campus.

His lecture was titled: Of bat bombs and super moms – the wondrous and wondrously curious world of mammals.

Prof Zachos, an affiliated researcher at the UFS, says he chose mammals as the topic of his lecture because he is a mammalogist and curator of mammals at the Natural History Museum. Additionally, he collaborates with Prof Paul Grobler, Head of the Department of Genetics, on mammal projects.

Exposure to almost unparalleled biodiversity in SA

With a mixture of entertaining fun facts and some proper research results, he presented his lecture, providing an overview of some of the most interesting aspects of mammals. These included their different ways of reproduction: the platypuses laying eggs, the tiny marsupial offspring growing in a pouch, and placental mammals having long gestation times. Furthermore, he compared levels of biodiversity in South Africa and Europe and highlighted some particularly bizarre mammals, such as the aye-aye, naked mole-rat, the platypus, and two extinct South African ungulates from their collection in Vienna – the quagga and the blue antelope.

Prof Zachos also discussed his own research on blue antelope genetics, as well as research on other species, in the context of the detrimental impact humans have on mammals and other wildlife.

Moreover, his lecture included a reference to Project X-Ray, a story of how the US army pursued an unsuccessful plan to use bats as carriers of mini bombs in World War II.

Prof Zachos, who is specifically known for his research on the systematics, biogeography, and genetics of red deer, as well as his theoretical work on the species problem (‘what is a species?’ – one of the most hotly debated topics in evolutionary biology), is affiliated with the UFS due to his longstanding collaboration with Prof Grobler. He says they have known each other for a long time, have published together, and that he has also served as an external reviewer for several theses coming from the Department of Genetics.

“Apart from this personal connection, what made this collaboration particularly interesting to me from a professional viewpoint, is the rich wildlife biodiversity and the research focus of Prof Grobler’s research group, which overlaps significantly with my own longstanding interests,” adds Prof Zachos.

“Working with Prof Grobler, I am involved in studies on the genetic diversity and structuring of different mammal species occurring in South Africa. The opportunity to spend time in the field for sample collection and other activities is definitely also a highlight,” remarks Prof Zachos.

Ideal combination of academic and personal growth

Regarding his connection with the UFS and its impact on shaping the future direction of his research, he states that he has a strong interest in antelopes – a group of mammals not found in Europe, but very prominent in South Africa. “Apart from that, people in the Department of Genetics have expertise in relevant areas that I personally do not have, for example bioinformatics. For me, it is the ideal combination of academic and personal growth, and I am very grateful to have this unique opportunity.”

He believes that his affiliation with the UFS and its Department of Genetics will continue to provide him with opportunities to expand his research and knowledge to different species and ecosystems.

Beyond science, he says that he has developed an interest in the country as well. “I have been reading books about South Africa, and I consider myself very privileged to have a second academic home here, which gives me the opportunity for exchange with people of different backgrounds,” he comments.

News Archive

Reverend Frank Chikane honours ‘Oom Bey’ at second Beyers Naudé Memorial Lecture for 2012

2012-09-11

Rev. Frank Chikane and Dr Choice Makhetha, Vice-Rector: External Relations at the UFS.
Photo: Stephen Collett
10 September 2012

The 9th Beyers Naude Memorial Lecture, a partnership initiative between the University of the Free State (UFS) and Kagiso Trust, was held on the South Campus of the university last week. The theme of the lecture focused on Collaborative partnership for social cohesion: Building of a nation with ethics.

Guest speaker, Reverend Frank Chikane, is a member of the UDF, ANC, Director-General in the Office of the President and a board member of Kagiso Trust.

In his speech, Rev. Chikane focused on the first 45 years in the life of Beyers Naudé, sketching a picture of a man who lived for what he believes in. When this former minister of the South African Dutch Reformed Church and member of the Broederbond, decided to question the morality of the Apartheid government after the Sharpeville Massacre in 1960, he made some changes in his beliefs and started to play a big role in the struggle against apartheid.

“If one know about ‘Oom Bey’s’ earlier life, you will see how radical his contribution was in turning South Africa from a country on the brink of destruction to a country of peace. ‘Oom Bey’ must be seen as a role model, someone we can aspire to be in South Africa today,” Rev. Chikane said.

“From his legacy one sees elements of someone building a nation with ethics.

“He took sides with the poor against an unjust system. Power breaks cohesion. It makes people not to think,” Rev. Chikane said.

If Afrikaners and black people stood together after the South African War (Anglo-Boer War), we would have talked a different language today. However, they did not. Afrikaners stood together, excluding black people and cohesion between all races was destructed. ‘Oom Bey’ tried to build relationships between people from all races in South Africa in an effort to create peace amongst all people. He was alienated from the Broederbond and defrockedrom the church.

In his speech, Rev. Chikane also said that South Africa did not succeed in collaborative partnerships in terms of the economy. “We need collaborative action to change our economy. This specific failure can destroy all that we have built together.”

“All South Africans can be like ‘Oom Bey” and make a contribution, especially in terms of the economy. To deal with this challenge, we can all contribute. This is important because due to a poor economy, many people are desperate and desperate people can destroy any relationship that we might have built so far.”

At this event, the university and Kagiso Trust also announced the winners of a poetry and essay competition that coincided with this last Beyers Naudé lecture for 2012. The award ceremony looked at the creativity of the learners, how they expressed themselves as well as the novelty of their work. Students as well as learners from schools in the Free State participated in the competition and first, second and third place winners received cash prizes as well as a book from Rev. Frank Chikane for their brilliant work.

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