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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.

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Letter to students from Prof Jonathan Jansen about student protest action at the UFS

2015-10-21

Dear Students

Student protest action at the University of the Free State

I wish to make clear that the senior leadership of the University of the Free State understands and supports the demands from students and their leaders that higher education be accessible to all students, especially the poor. For the past six years we have done everything in our power to meet that commitment to students who are academically talented, but simply cannot afford to pay; that is why our tuition fees remain among the lowest in the country. Our efforts to raise private funding have enabled thousands more students to study at the UFS than would have been possible on the government subsidy only. Whether it is the Staff Fund contributions (yes, our staff empty their pockets to support student fees) or the No Student Hungry (NSH) bursary programme (yes, we raise funds for food bursaries), we will continue our drive to fund students who cannot afford higher education. Let me repeat, no student with a solid academic record will be denied access to studies simply because they cannot pay.

Now, to the matter at hand. There is a national demand from students for a 0% fee increment for 2016. The Minister’s response, after consultation with stakeholders, was that universities should cap their 2016 fee increases at 6%. Despite this initiative from government, the protests continue on virtually all campuses across South Africa for the ‘no fee’ increase.

Our response, as the UFS leadership, is to continue engaging the SRC as the chosen leadership of our students in trying to negotiate a settlement on the matter. We have worked around the clock to be available to student leaders to find some resolution on 2016 fees. While we understand the demands of students, as university leaders, we can only work with the government subsidy we receive. Any agreement reached, cannot and must not place the university at academic and financial risk in its ability to deliver public higher education to the country - if that happens, everybody loses. Still, no matter what happens in terms of the response from government, the leadership door at the UFS remains open to finding a mutually acceptable solution to all parties in these deliberations.

Students, we are deeply concerned by the violence, intimidation and threats from the small group of protesting students. These dangerous and demeaning behaviours, like disrupting classes and verbally abusing students and staff, undermine the legitimate quest of students for relief concerning tuition fees. Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and the university will take action where required. We must also remember that we have an obligation to all 30 000 students whose right to learn without fear of violence and intimidation must be respected.

In conclusion, over the past few years we have worked hard to build a culture of mutual respect and embrace as we worked through some very difficult challenges on campus. You would have noticed that the university leadership responded quickly and sympathetically to reason and respect in difficult situations of rage and demonstration. A minority of students, with some outsiders, have come onto the campus to break down that culture in which, while we might disagree, we continue to work on the basis of mutual respect. I urge all students that, as we engage of this important problem of enabling greater access to higher education, we continue to remain true to the core values of our Human Project.

Best Regards

Prof Jonathan Jansen
Vice-Chancellor and Rector
University of the Free State

Letter to students from Prof Jonathan Jansen about student protest actions at the UFS (Pdf format)

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