In a world where the environment is constantly shifting and our natural resources are under growing pressure,
GeoCongress 2025 could not have come at a better time. Hosted on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State (UFS) in partnership with the Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA), the congress brought together nearly 300 delegates from across the country and abroad. With 43 delegates from outside South Africa, the event offered a rich mix of local knowledge and international perspectives.
The theme, Embracing Change Through Collaboration, encouraged attendees to work across boundaries – between academia, students, and industry – to find real solutions to the challenges facing the planet.
Working together across sectors
Dr Martin Clark, Chair of the 2025 GeoCongress, Senior Lecturer in the UFS
Department of Geology, and lead researcher in the Merensky Group for Airborne Geological Image Classification (MAGIC initiative), opened the congress with a reminder of why this gathering matters. “The GeoCongress meeting series is the hallmark engagement for geoscientists in South Africa. It brings together our academics, our students, and our industry professionals to facilitate the transfer of understanding and knowledge between our various sectors.” Among those representing the industry were professionals from Exxaro, Harmony, De Beers, and Anglo-American.
Dr Clark highlighted how quickly things are changing in geoscience – from fluctuating mineral commodity prices to new environmental challenges – and stressed the importance of embracing these changes towards a better potential future for the planet.
He encouraged students, academics, and industry professionals to learn from each other. “It’s critical to connect our students with industry professionals and academics to understand what they are doing, what they need assistance with, and why they're doing it. Our academics must remain current with the challenges that exist within industry and how to guide our students, their interests, and passions. Our industry professionals hold vast amounts of knowledge that is critical to underpin robust understandings of geoscientific systems and processes, i.e., how mineral deposits form, or how geological processes occurred and what they resulted in.”
Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Internationalisation and acting Vice-Chancellor of the UFS, also welcomed delegates to the university and spoke about the broader meaning of the congress. “This is a gathering of minds united by a shared commitment to understanding the Earth and shaping its future. In a world marked by tectonic shifts, both literal and metaphorical, your discipline stands at the forefront of interpreting change.”
He added that geology is a science of the present and a “blueprint for the future.” He highlighted how the conference theme reflects the university’s own Vision 130, which is all about building a responsible and societal future.
“Your theme really invites us to move beyond silos and towards synergy. It calls on us to break silos, to integrate disciplines, to cross disciplinary boundaries, and of course, very importantly, to co-create solutions that are as dynamic as the planet we study,” commented Prof Reddy.
The programme featured a strong lineup of six keynote speakers, 149 oral presentations, 39 posters, and 17 concurrent sessions. Experts such as Prof Glen Nwaila (University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)), Prof John Carranza (UFS), Sifiso Siwela (Environmental Resources Management (ERM)), Dr Geoffrey Howarth (University of Cape Town), Prof Susan Webb (Wits), and Dr Hayley Cawthra (Council for Geoscience) brought valuable insights to the stage – from earth science to planetary geology, from mineral mapping to shelf exploration. Their talks helped to bring the spirit of collaboration to life.
Students benefited in a big way
Thanks to a successfully funded sponsorship programme, 36 students from institutions across South Africa were able to attend the congress. Dr Clark said that this visible student presence was a highlight and a testament to the power of financial support in enabling access. These students gained exposure to the broader scientific community through the dynamic scientific programme. Twenty of our own third- and fourth-year students served as student assistants for the GeoCongess, providing assistance with all logistical arrangements. “Our student assistants were specifically congratulated for the friendly assistance provided throughout the conference. They showed the geoscientific community what Kovsie spirit truly is,” remarked Dr Clark.
By the end of the five-day congress, one thing was clear: GeoCongress 2025 had made a lasting impact. Delegates shared overwhelmingly positive feedback, highlighting the warm, inclusive atmosphere and the many opportunities for meaningful engagement. Collaboration emerged as more than just a theme – it was evident in the sessions, the conversations, the partnerships, and the new connections forged throughout the week.
Reflecting on the success of the event, Dr Clark concluded, “In addition to being a national event, the GeoCongress has shown its continental reputation. Occurring biennially, it will certainly continue to grow in stature.”