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25 February 2025 | Story Anthony Mthembu | Photo Kaleidoscope Studios
G20 - 2025
G20 delegates from member countries and other invited guests in attendance at the G20 Research and Innovation Working Group (RIWG) and G20 Initiative on Bioeconomy (GIB) meetings and other side events.

Against the backdrop of the upcoming G20 Summit to be hosted by South Africa in November 2025, the University of the Free State (UFS) – in partnership with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) – held the G20 Research and Innovation Working Group (RIWG) and G20 Initiative on Bioeconomy (GIB) meetings on 23 and 24 February 2025.

In her opening address to G20 delegates from member countries, national and international knowledge partners, members of the Free State provincial government, and representatives of the DSTI, Prof Hester Klopper, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the UFS, indicated, “It is an honour for the UFS to be among the few South African universities to host this essential Research and Innovation Working Group.” In addition, she highlighted that the deliberations and discussions set to take place during this important workshop can set in motion chains of events ultimately contributing to improved lives for everyone. These sentiments were also echoed by Prof Blade Nzimande, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, who underscored the importance and historic nature of the upcoming G20 Summit.

In his virtual address, Minister Nzimande explained that South Africa’s chosen theme for the G20 Summit – Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability – was inspired by the general complexity of our time, “in particular the transnational nature of these complexities, such as conflict, the displacement of people, poverty”, among other things. As such, he expressed that in this case, cooperation among nations is becoming increasingly essential.

As they concluded their addresses, Prof Nzimande and Prof Klopper, wished the delegates well in their deliberations. ‘’May your discussions be successful, and your goals be achieved. And may your time with us lead to a renewed experience of the value of innovation through connection, ‘’expressed Prof Klopper.

 

Contributing events

As part of the programme at these proceedings, several side events took place. These included panel discussions with indigenous knowledge holders such as Telle Hoeses, Chief Language Practitioner for Khoi and San Languages, along with experts of indigenous medicine. The conversation focused on indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) and some of the key concerns and progress that these knowledge holders have made in the space. In addition, these knowledge holders, many of whom are business owners who sell products made from indigenous medicines, also had the opportunity to exhibit their products. According to Dan du Toit, Deputy Director-General: International Cooperation and Resources at the DSTI, these panel discussions with young people, bioeconomy researchers, and indigenous knowledge holders were an opportunity to gain access to a diversity of voices, which would not normally find expression in formal meetings. “It is also an opportunity for our international guests to get insight into who we are as a country and what some of our concerns might be,” said Du Toit.

One of the highly anticipated side events on the programme was the joint G20 RIWG and GIB event titled ‘UNESCO Women and Girls in Science’, which took place on 25 February 2025. The event took the form of a round-table discussion, in an attempt to answer the question: Based on your experiences in various roles within higher education in South Africa, Africa, and globally, what are some key insights regarding the role of universities in closing the gender gap in STEM, specifically concerning professional development and creating supportive research environments where everyone, especially women, can thrive?

Prof Anthea Rhoda; Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic at the UFS, was one of the contributors in this session. In response to the question, Prof Rhoda highlighted, “Universities should also be spaces characterised by intellectual freedom and freedom of expression, where archaic ideas about male superiority and patriarchy can be openly confronted and contested, without fear of victimisation. She expressed that an active way in which the UFS has committed itself to a culture of diversity and inclusion is through Vision130.

As she was wrapping up her address, Prof Rhoda also highlighted, “To address areas of underrepresentation of women in senior academic and leadership positions within the university, a Working Group on Gender Parity in Academic Leadership was established, with the critical mandate to drive attitudinal shifts, advocate for changes where necessary, and highlight barriers to women’s advancement.”

 

The programme comes to an end

The last day of the programme was reserved for comments, reflections, and discussions on deliverables. As such, there were positive responses to the way the deliberations took place. In fact, Hoese, speaking in her capacity as an indigenous knowledge holder, said, “This was a good platform for us to make progress towards language recognition and officialisation.”

News Archive

SA women’s Hockey players give a recount of Hockey World League
2015-07-02

Nicole Walraven and Liné Malan
Photo: Hatsu Mphatsoe

Three of the star players of Kovsies Hockey formed part of the South African Women’s Hockey team, which competed at the Hockey World League (HWL) tournament in Spain.

Hatsu Mphatsoe, student assistant at the Department of Communication and Brand Management, spoke to Nicole Walraven and Liné Malan. Tanya Britz will be returning only at a later stage to South Africa.

As key players in the Kovsies women’s team, Malan and Walraven (along with Britz) have a new wealth of knowledge that could assist the team in their forthcoming USSA tournament. Here are some of the sentiments they had to share:

What was your reaction when you first received the news that you’d be representing the country in Spain?

Liné: “It was a shock to me, I honestly didn’t expect it. At the same time, I was extremely excited to be granted the opportunity to represent my country, and prove my worth to the team.”

Nicole: “I was so excited and felt honoured! To represent my country at such a big tournament is amazing. I was very nervous, but excited.”

How has playing at an international level improved your personal performance and mentality of the game/sport?

Nicole: “Playing at such a high level has helped my hockey immensely. It has helped me read the game better, it has upped my self-confidence, and it has also improved my ability to deal with pressure.”

Liné: “Playing at an international level looks much easier than it is. It is a much faster game, the pressure on the ball is much higher, and the individual skills are on a different level. It has helped me to lift my game, and make decisions much quicker. It has honestly benefitted me as an individual, and I’ve learnt so much from the experience.”

Now that you’ll be going to play at the USSA tournament, what new perspectives do you wish to bring to the team in order to improve its overall performance there?

Nicole: “The importance of teamwork as well as adapting the game plan according to the situation and the opposition. Constant hard work and a never-give-up attitude are vital. One quote that stood out from the tournament is ‘1MT, 1MT’ which stands for ‘1 More Thing, 1 More Time’.

Liné: “Going to USSA, I now have a better understanding of what pressure is, and how to make better decisions. We will still make use of our Kovsies brand of Hockey, which is our passing game, and apply all aspects to the best of our ability.”

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