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10 May 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo supplied
Maureen Maisiri - Keynote Speaker PhD Candidate UFS
Delivering the keynote address at the first PhD Colloquium in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaption, Maureen Maisiri said that it is important to stop taking approaches that do not include people affected by disasters and climate change.

In the midst of South Africa's complex socioeconomic challenges, including poverty, food insecurity, and environmental degradation, a study tiled: Nature-based solutions practices: implications on farm performance, sustainable environment, poverty reduction and food security among South African households? explores the potential of nature-based solutions (NBS) to address these pressing issues. Focused on disaster risk management and climate change adaptation, this study examines the adoption of NBS and its impact on environmental sustainability, agricultural productivity, and community resilience. Collins Okolie aims to offer valuable insights for policy makers, farmers, and communities by investigating the viability of NBS as a strategy for mitigating disaster risk and managing climate change. His work emphasises the importance of raising awareness about NBS and its transformative potential in enhancing farm performance, food security, and poverty reduction.

This study was one of a number of studies discussed during the first three-day PhD Colloquium in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation hosted by the Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DiMTEC) at the University of the Free State (UFS).

Becoming a centre of excellence

According to Dr Olivia Kunguma, Lecturer in DiMTEC who acted as chair, the colloquium was inspired by DiMTEC’s vision to become a centre of excellence. It aimed to support PhD candidates and find solutions and recommendations for the increasing incidents and declared disasters in Africa. She added that the colloquium was also the centre’s way of contributing to the achievement of global targets, such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 priorities, the Paris Climate Change Agreement of 2015, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Among the more than 80 delegates who attended the colloquium were key stakeholders in disaster management, including representatives from the National Disaster Management Centre and the Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre, in addition to the PhD candidates. The event also received support from UFS research structures, including the Directorate Research Development represented by its Director, Dr Glen Taylor, and the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, represented by the Dean, Prof Paul Oberholster. External stakeholders in attendance included Counsellor Lulama Titi-Odili, the Deputy Mayor of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, and Khotso Tsotsotso, the acting Head of the Old Mutual Foundation. The event was also sponsored by the Old Mutual Foundation, the Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre, and the National Disaster Management Centre. “Having the Old Mutual Foundation as the primary sponsor is exciting for the disaster management fraternity, as it will see insurance companies take a growing interest in disaster risk management, resilience building, and climate change adaptation,” said Dr Kunguma.

Dr Kunguma pointed out the excitement and productive engagement between the audience and the PhD candidates as a particular highlight of the event. She emphasised the rigorous and scientific feedback received by the candidates, allowing them to reflect on their research motivation, perspectives, and future implications. The event provided an invaluable opportunity for PhD candidates to receive practical, social, and scientific feedback from both research experts and industry professionals. Dr Kunguma remarked, “The feedback and engagements have improved their work, and sharpened their presentation skills and confidence in their work and in themselves.”

Additionally, the initiative provoked praise from the Deputy Mayor, who underlined her role in advocating for increased funding for disaster management. Counsellor Titi-Odili stressed the importance of budgeting sufficiently for disasters. She acknowledged that disasters often originate at the local level and advocated for adjustments in the disaster declaration process. She also proposed the involvement of interns or graduates in government disaster management efforts.

Jurgens Dyssel from the National Disaster Management Centre also provided his input on the value of this initiative. He indicated that such a platform brings new knowledge that should be aligned with industry needs for translation into community impact. He suggested that the colloquium be aligned with the National Disaster Management Research Agenda, a repository for all research in disaster and climate studies.

Tshepo Motlhale, Chief Director of the Gauteng Provincial Disaster Management Centre, added that the colloquium is an innovative platform for diversifying all aspects of interventions and creating a space to enhance partnerships and collaborations to come up with solutions.

Blended systematic and sustainable solutions

Giving a voice to the PhD candidates was Maureen Maisiri, who was also appointed as the keynote speaker for this event. According to her, there is a need to create blended systematic and sustainable solutions and to stop taking approaches that do not include people affected by disasters and climate change. Maisiri encouraged fellow PhD candidates to work in teams, to appreciate diversity, and to be disciplined.

In the panel discussion on My PhD journey and contribution to Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation, the work of Daizy Nalwamba and Zukiswa Poto investigated critical aspects of disaster risk management and climate change adaptation. Nalwamba's study in Zambia explored the effectiveness of environmental education in promoting sustainable practices, revealing gaps between knowledge and practical application. Meanwhile, Poto's research in South Africa highlighted the need to prioritise economic resilience in disaster management legislation, advocating for proactive measures to support business continuity and community resilience.

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Community of Qwaqwa gives Prof Petersen a warm Basotho welcome
2017-05-16

 

 Description: Prof Petersen with Basotho hat and blanket Tags: Prof Petersen with Basotho hat and blanket

 Prof Francis Petersen, Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State
Photo: Ian van Straaten

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Various stakeholders pledged their support to the newly-appointed Vice-Chancellor and Rector of the University of the Free State (UFS), Prof Francis Petersen, during the first in a series of welcoming events that was held at the Qwaqwa Campus on Thursday 11 May 2017.

A message of support and welcome from the Paramount Queen of the Bakoena Royal Council, Mofumahadi Mathokoana Mopeli, took everybody in attendance back three decades to the time when the campus was first established.

“The Qwaqwa Campus of the then University of the North was created to swell this area and the broader Eastern Free State with intellectual capacity,” she said.

“It is with this in mind that we encourage you, Prof Petersen, to continue upholding the best of your predecessors. Search for what they could not achieve and learn from that. Traditional leadership in this area will always be a friend to the university,” she added.

Description: Community of Qwaqwa gives Prof Petersen a warm Basotho welcome Tags: Community of Qwaqwa gives Prof Petersen a warm Basotho welcome

Prof Petersen received a warm Basotho
welcome from Morena Thokoana Mopeli and
Paramount Queen Mofumahadi Mathokoana Mopeli of
the Bakoena Royal Council. With them is
Mrs Cheslyn Petersen.
Photo: Thabo Kessah

The Thabo Mofutsanyana Education District was represented by the Acting District Director, Lindiwe Mabaso, who expressed the district’s pride in being associated with the university.

“Our district is excelling in Mathematics and Science, and this can be attributed to the educators that we get from the Qwaqwa Campus. We are proud to say that we are number one nationally when it comes to Mathematics and Science, and this is through the support we get from the campus. Our schools will continue to be centres of excellence under the new leadership of Prof Petersen,” she said.

Staff and students weigh in

Both Nehawu and Uvpersu expressed their optimism in working with Prof Petersen.

Branch chairperson of Nehawu, Teboho Pitso, said the union appreciated the fact that Prof Petersen was taking over the leadership of the institution at a very difficult time, both institutionally and nationally.

“As workers, we are faced with a lot of challenges and we hope that none of us will be retrenched under your leadership,” he said to an appreciative audience consisting of various internal and external stakeholders.

Acting Chairperson of UVPERSU, Khethiwe Biyo, said the workers’ union was happy that Prof Petersen believed in teamwork.

“Your commitment in working with us is appreciated. We look forward to learning from you about institutional innovation,” she said.

Students were represented by the Qwaqwa Campus SRC President, Njabulo Mwali, who expressed the need for a deeper and detailed transformation process.

“Your expertise and skills have set you above all other aspirant applicants for this position, and we hope that we will learn a lot on this journey,” he said.

“We at the UFS are actively, intentionally,
and continuously engaged in promoting
diversity.”

"Ensure fairness" 

In his response, Prof Petersen emphasised the importance of inclusivity and innovativeness. He said, “Staff and students at the three sites of learning must do all they can to ensure that the UFS realises its goal of being an inclusive institution, one that provides equal access and opportunities to everyone, makes a conscious effort to prevent discrimination, and ensure fairness.”

“Being committed to inclusivity means that we at the UFS are actively, intentionally, and continuously engaged in promoting diversity. This diversity is expressed through our people and through the curriculum, and in the way we work with our communities to promote awareness, empathy, and understanding of the complex ways individuals interact. As you know, our ultimate goal as a university is not only to educate young people up to the point that they graduate. What they learn during their time with us should help shape them into people who can think innovatively in order to address the challenges that face us in the 21st century,” he said.

The Qwaqwa Campus Chorale and the award-winning choir from The Beacon Secondary School in Phuthaditjhaba provided the entertainment.

Similar events will respectively be hosted on the South and Bloemfontein Campuses on 18 and 19 May 2017.

 

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