Latest News Archive

Please select Category, Year, and then Month to display items

UFS postdoc brings ecological balance and sustainable living practices for the City of Tshwane

16 May 2024 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo supplied

Dr Yolandi Schoeman believes the project is directly contributing to the regeneration and conservation of biodiversity, innovating towards creating unique urban biodiversity markets, and creating a thriving natural habitat that supports ecological balance and resilience.

Tim Briercliffe, Secretary General of the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), recently congratulated the City of Tshwane for the work done on urban greening and nature-based solutions that resulted in its entry: ‘Republic of South Africa City of Tshwane Pretoria East Urban Biosphere Reserve’ being selected as one of 21 finalists in the Living Green for Biodiversity category of the AIPH World Green City Awards 2024.

The list of finalists comprises the three highest-scoring entries in each of the seven categories. The Tshwane project was entered in the Living Green for Biodiversity and Urban Ecosystem Restoration category as well as the Living Green for Urban Infrastructure and Liveability category.

Dr Yolandi Schoeman, Postdoctoral Fellow/Researcher in Ecological Engineering in the centres for Mineral Biogeochemistry and Environmental Management and the Ecological Engineering Institute of Africa at the University of the Free State (UFS), played a critical role in conceptualising and driving the bio-intelligent approach that is integral to the Tshwane SA Biosphere Reserve project.

She states that being part of a project recognised as a finalist for such a prestigious global award is profoundly gratifying. “It underscores the importance and urgency of our work in ecological engineering and biodiversity conservation, validating our efforts to create resilient urban ecosystems that can inspire similar initiatives globally.”

Enhancing urban sustainability

According to her, it is one of the university’s flagship projects in Gauteng. “Our team was pivotal in developing the methodological framework that facilitated the integration of ecological, economic, social, and technological dimensions to effectively address climate change, biodiversity loss, disconnections in coupled human and natural systems, and enhance urban sustainability.”

Dr Schoeman says the project was initiated in the early stages of their investigations into sustainable urban development, with notable developments in 2023, as highlighted during the City of Tshwane Climate Change and Research Conference. She indicates that the project is continuing, with phases that include various baseline research activities, active ecosystem regeneration, continuous monitoring, roll-out of a unique biodiversity citizen science approach, integrated and inclusive stakeholder involvement, creating a unique urban biodiversity market, awareness and capacity building, and moving towards formally applying to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for the formal recognition of the urban biosphere region within the greater Pretoria East area.

She remarks that her inspiration to engage in this project stemmed from a commitment to address the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change and biodiversity loss, particularly in urban settings. “The most remarkable aspect of the project is its innovative approach to integrating urban development with ecological engineering, fostering a sustainable coexistence between humans and nature that serves as a model for cities worldwide,” she says.

She is excited about the impact of the work that has been done. Not only is the project directly contributing to the regeneration and conservation of biodiversity, creating a thriving natural habitat that supports ecological balance and resilience, but it is also impacting the greater Tshwane community. Dr Schoeman believes that the project significantly enhances community engagement and participation, which in turn fosters greater awareness and responsibility towards sustainable living practices.

Crafting practical, impactful solutions

Besides her instrumental role in making an impact, Dr Schoeman also enjoyed the project, particularly the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders, including local communities, government bodies, and fellow researchers. “This multidisciplinary collaboration has not only enriched the project but has also been instrumental in crafting practical, impactful solutions tailored to the specific needs and characteristics of Tshwane,” she comments.

As a finalist in the Living Green for Biodiversity category of the AIPH World Green City Awards 2024, the city of Tshwane will receive a Highly Commended certificate at an awards ceremony in September in Utrecht, the Netherlands, and will ultimately have the opportunity to win the title of Grand Winner of the 2024 edition of the AIPH World Green City Awards.

News Archive

ANC Centenary Dialogue reflects on past leadership

2011-10-12

Making their mark at the ANC Centenary Dialogue were, from left to right: Prof. Kwandiwe Kondlo, Senior Professor: Centre for Africa Studies (UFS); Dr Adekeye Adebajo, Director: Centre for Conflict Resolution (Cape Town); and Prof. E C Ejiogu, Senior Researcher: Centre for Africa Studies (UFS).

The Centre for Africa Studies at our university recently hosted its ANC Centenary Dialogue at the Bloemfontein Campus. Keynote speaker, Dr Adekeye Adebajo, delivered a paper titled Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, and the ANC’s Footprint in Africa. The lecture focused on two of South Africa’s democratically-elected presidents.

Mr Nelson Mandela was South Africa’s first democratically-elected president. This Nobel Peace Laureate played a prophetic leadership role in Africa in 1993. He was inspired by Mr Mahatma Gandhi’s tactics of ‘passive resistance’, which played a role in the ANC’s Defiance Campaign.

Mr Mandela’s visit to other African countries gave him insights into continental diplomacy and the tactics of other liberation movements. “The ANC used Madiba to embody the face of the struggle. He emerged from prison without any bitterness towards his enemies. He tirelessly promoted national reconciliation,” said Dr Adebajo.

Unlike other post-independence ‘Founding Fathers’, Mr Mandela bowed out gracefully at the end of his first presidential term in 1999, setting a standard for future African leaders aspiring to greatness. “Mr Mandela’s lasting legacies are his efforts at promoting national and international peacemaking,” elaborated Dr Adebajo.

Mr Thabo Mbeki challenged Africans to discover a sense of their own self-confidence after centuries of slavery and colonialism. Under his foreign policy, South Africa established solid credentials to become Africa’s leading power. He sought multilateral solutions to resolve regional conflicts. Mr Mbeki also sent peacekeepers abroad and increased South Africa’s credibility as a major geostrategic player in Africa.

Many question whether Mr Mbeki’s heirs, President Jacob Zuma and beyond, will maintain the same level of commitment to the continent that he demonstrated. Mr Mbeki has bequeathed this foreign policy legacy to his successors. “These very different ANC leaders have left a heavy African footprint on the sands of time,” concluded Dr Adebajo.

Back

Economic and Management Sciences

Education

Health Sciences

The Humanities

Law

Natural and Agricultural Sciences

Theology and Religion

Open Distance Learning

Business School

We use cookies to make interactions with our websites and services easy and meaningful. To better understand how they are used, read more about the UFS cookie policy. By continuing to use this site you are giving us your consent to do this.

Accept