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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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“Breakthroughs depend on people believing in their own ideas”
2015-07-23


TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.

Lerothodi Molete’s vision is to witness the youth of Bloemfontein emerge at the forefront of technological, scientific, and entrepreneurial innovations in both South Africa and the global arena.

 

Molete and Bonginkosi Leeuw are the organisers of TEDxUFS. Their duty is centered on inspiring people to believe in, and express, their ideas. These University of the Free State students have taken it upon themselves to inspire the youth to “push the boundaries of society.”

 

The second TEDxUFS event to be hosted by the university presents a unique opportunity for students, staff members, and the general public to mingle with influential speakers from across various disciplines.

 

Details of the event:

 

Date: Saturday 1 August 2015

Time: 08:00- 18:00

Venue: Albert Wessels Auditorium, Bloemfontein Campus

 

The keynote speakers include: Mmusi Maimane (Federal Leader: Democratic Alliance), Gareth Cliff (Radio personality: Cliff Central), Pieter Geldenhuys (Futurist), Brian Kally (Director: Arrow Logistics), Jonathan Jansen (Vice-Chancellor and Rector: UFS), Ricardo Peach (Director: Vrystaat Arts Festival, Pamela Nomvete (Former actor and writer), Gil Oved (Founder: Creative Counsel), Pepe Marais (CEO: Joe Public), Angelo Mockie (Senior Officer: Student Affairs and musician), Philippa Tumubweinee (Senior Lecturer in Architecture: UFS), and Melody Mentz (Psychology Senior Professor: UFS).

 

The reason behind the #AskWhy theme

 

"Why is a small word but it’s a quick, broad, sharp and abrupt one,” explains Leeuw. “It is the chosen word of the non-conformist, the defiant, and the visionary. It is a confrontational word. It challenges what is thought to be impossible.”

 

The ability to interrogate reality is what society and economies are built on. The absence of the fear to question encourages the capacity to progress.

 

Motivating young people to follow their dreams is the reason why the TEDxUFS team is persistent in their endeavours. Molete believes that, in order to change anything, people need to ask why.

 

Background of the innovation powerhouse called TED(x)

 

TED is a renowned international non-profit organisation dedicated to disseminating “ideas worth spreading” in the form compelling talks lasting up to 18 minutes.

 

In 1984, it was introduced as a conference exploring Technology, Entertainment, and Design. Three decades later, TED covers a wide variety of topics of global significance, reflecting the contemporary era in more than 100 languages.

 

TEDx events are under the TED umbrella. These events are organised independently, and create a platform for deliberating on local matters. The programme assists communities, organisations, and individuals to stimulate critical dialogue.

 

On 25 July 2014, the UFS hosted its inaugural TEDxUFS conference at the Odeion theatre on the Bloemfontein Campus, where eleven speakers addressed an audience of 150 people on interdisciplinary topics ranging from economics to entrepreneurship, technology, art, design, and theology.

 

This year, 200 seats will be available for innovative revolutionary individuals in search of inspiration.

 

Tickets are available at 0619284253 / 079 381 4126. Prices: R80 (Student/scholars) and R350 (Public/staff)

 

LINKS:

Lerothodi Molete- http://whoswho.co.za/lerothodi-molete-742022

Bonginkosi Leeuw- https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/10499

TEDxUFS- http://kovsielife.ufs.ac.za/templates/archive.aspx?news=276

Mmusi Maimane- http://whoswho.co.za/mmusi-maimane-44612

Garett Cliff- http://www.garethcliff.com/

Pieter Geldenhuys- http://pietergeldenhuys.com/

Brian Kally- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/brian-kally/4b/888/959

Jonathan Jansen- http://www.ufs.ac.za/adhoc-pages/rectorate/prof-(jd)-jonathan-jansen

Ricardo Peach- http://ricardopeach.com/

Pamela Nomvete- http://whoswho.co.za/pamela-nomvete-4789

Gil Ovid- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/gil-oved/3/910/892

Pepe Marais- http://joepublic.co.za/people

Angelo Mockie- https://za.linkedin.com/pub/angelo-mockie/27/56/302

PhilippaTumubweinee- http://natagri.ufs.ac.za/templates/staffmember.aspx?DCode=101&pid=zyNJm7KI%2b1k%3d

Melody Mentz- https://za.linkedin.com/in/melodymentz

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