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Initiative will position the UFS as a leader in circularity in agriculture

04 April 2025 | Story Andre Damons | Photo Supplied

Prof Wayne Truter, Research Professor at the UFS Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry, and Executive Management of the UFS Green Futures Hub.

Hosting the South African Circular Agriculture Initiative (SACAI) – an initiative of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation’s (DSTI) – will help position the Green Futures Hub at the University of the Free State (UFS) as a leader in circularity in agriculture.

The UFS Green Futures Hub was selected to host the SACAI from 1 January 2025-31 March 2026. The funding received will be used to conduct workshops with stakeholders to develop a strategy to strengthen South Africa’s science, technology, and innovation for a circular economy in the agriculture sector.

The SACAI, under the leadership of Prof Wayne Truter, Research Professor at the UFS Centre for Mineral Biogeochemistry, and Executive Management of the UFS Green Futures Hub, aims to advance the principles of the circular economy and modernise agriculture in line with the South African government's aspirations. These goals are outlined in the Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Decadal Plan (2022-2032) and the Circular Economy STI Strategy.

Elevating the UFS’ visibility

The UFS Green Future Hub is a virtual platform in the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences (NAS), to facilitate integration and leverage capabilities to facilitate third stream funding and industry collaboration. It provides an interface and support structure for researchers to engage with funders and partners through the Hub.

Prof Truter says it is a great honour and privilege to have been awarded this initiative. “The funding that comes with SACAI will elevate our visibility in agriculture in the country and will help position Green Futures Hub as a leader in circularity in agriculture. A key objective of SACAI is to leverage science, technology, and innovation to enhance the value of the national system of innovation (NSI) within the agriculture sector.

“The initiative will align with the priorities set out in the Circular Economy STI Strategy (2024-2034), focusing on resource efficiency, regenerative agriculture, sustainable agro-processing, and biorefinery development in South Africa. Through collaborations with other public research institutions, the hub will drive STI implementation in these critical areas,” says Prof Truter.

Objectives of SACAI

The objective of SACAI is to give effect to the (i) circular economy, and (ii) modernising agriculture, aspirations of the South African government. The SACAI aims to advance the principles of the circular economy and modernise agriculture in line with the South African government’s aspirations.

Simultaneously, Prof Truter explains, the objectives of the SACAI align with the vision of the UFS Green Futures Hub to be a global leader in advancing the understanding and application of sustainable practices for life with land and water, in developing contexts. By leveraging the latest advancements in research, technology, and innovation, the hub aims to create a thriving future where communities harmonise with natural and agricultural environments, ensuring the well-being of current and future generations, which has a particular focus on modernising agriculture and capacity development.

Through STI, the SACAI will support the South African agriculture sector to adopt, scale and accelerate circular practices and technology. The SACAI will act through a hub-and-spoke model, to build and strengthen a national system of innovation, and associated capability, and will establish and strengthen strategic regional and international STI partnerships, to directly support industry and other sector stakeholders, serving as a facilitator of relevant research and related outputs.

UFS’ Vision 130

“A South African Circular Agricultural Initiative perfectly aligns with our research-led, student-centred, and regionally engaged university by driving innovation and knowledge production in sustainable agriculture. This initiative will enable the university to contribute to development and social justice by advancing circular farming practices that reduce waste, optimise resources, and promote environmental sustainability, particularly in rural areas.

“This fosters greater food security and resilience, benefiting marginalised communities, and addressing social inequalities within the agricultural sector. By involving our students, this initiative will directly support the student-centred approach, offering hands-on learning experiences that equip graduates with cutting-edge skills in circular economy principles,” says Prof Truter.

The university’s Vision 130 focus on diversity, inclusion, and equity is reflected in the initiative’s emphasis on sharing knowledge and resources equitably, ensuring maximum societal impact and advancing a more just and sustainable agricultural system across South Africa.

Prof Vasu Reddy, UFS Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation, says: “This accolade speaks volumes of the calibre of our scholars and the recognition of our expertise in the agricultural domain. The UFS is exceptionally proud of Prof Truter’s drive, initiatives, vision and foresight. Under his leadership, we will augment and inflect even further our standing and position in the circular economy of agriculture. Reddy added: “We will not simply be the heartland but the growing soul and substance of what agriculture might become through research, implementation and impact. We are watching this space with deep curiosity.”

News Archive

UFS produces an inspirational Summer Graduation

2016-12-12

Dr Ferial Haffajee, editor-at-large at The Huffington
Post SA, who was conferred with an honorary doctorate,
and Dr Khotso Mokhele, the Chancellor of the
University of the Free State at this year’s Summer Graduation.
Photo: Eugene Seegers

“A graduation ceremony epitomises every student’s academic dream and pursuit, and allows you to look back as you enter the professional career of your choice.”

These were the words of guest speaker Dr Mafu Rakometsi, Chief Executive Officer of Umalusi, that resonated through the Callie Human Centre at this year’s Summer Graduation on the Bloemfontein Campus. He mentioned that today graduates would look back at a journey that started with hesitant steps, and despite all their ups and downs, they had managed to make it this far.

During the afternoon session, Prof Lis Lange, Vice-Rector: Academic, at the University of the Free State (UFS), said that graduations were always an occasion for celebration and this year, there were two reasons for these celebrations.

“The first is simply that we made it through a difficult 2016 and the secondly because we are celebrating two crucial professions that will attribute to the well-being of this country, namely teachers and health practitioners.”

Meaningful graduation ceremony for Ferial Haffajee

This year, the UFS had the privilege and honour to confer editor-at-large at The Huffington Post SA, Ferial Haffajee, with an honorary doctorate in the Faculty of the Humanities.

Speaking after the graduation ceremony, Dr Haffajee said, “It was really, really meaningful for me, because I’ve never been able to graduate. When I finished university, it was during the struggle against apartheid, so we didn’t graduate. It was a wonderful day and wonderful to see the role that young people are playing on this campus.”

“Dr Ferial Haffajee has made a significant contribution to press freedom in South Africa. She is known both nationally and internationally for the work she has done and therefore it is an honour to welcome her as a Kovsie. She is one of the people who represent the values of the UFS. We are proud of her and we wish her great success,” said Prof Milagros Rivera, Head: Department of Communication Science and acting Dean of the Faculty of the Humanities at the UFS.

Photo: Johann Roux

Inspiration drawn from graduation ceremonies

During his address, Dr Khotso Mokhele, the Chancellor of the UFS, made special mention of many that inspired him at the graduation ceremonies.

His inspirations included Dr Ambrotius Swartbooi, who suffered a spinal injury from a near-fatal car accident which left him paralysed and a quadriplegic, yet who still managed to receive his doctorate; Setsoane Ntseki, a matriculant with poise and an incredible voice, who delivered the song item; Judge Ian van der Merwe, Chairperson of the Council at the UFS and a close friend of Dr Mokhele, with whom he worked for many years; as well Dr Haffajee, a trail-blazer that many look up to.

Damian Viviers was recognised as one of the youngest PhD graduates in the Faculty of Law, where he received a PhD in Mercantile Law. He is a research fellow in the Department of Mercantile Law, and was recently appointed as candidate attorney in the commercial department at Phatshoane Henney Attorneys.

In closing, his message to the class of 2016 was simple, that even though the world and our country may find itself in an odd space now, the graduates needed to remember that even though they would become leaders, there was always something bigger than themselves.

“Go out there and do us proud. Come back and plough back into this institution not only with your money, but your skills and time too.”

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