The University of the Free State (UFS)
Qwaqwa Campus is celebrating a major international milestone, as the documentary film
Mountains of Africa: The Drakensberg – which features the
Afromontane Research Unit (ARU) extensively – continues to garner global acclaim.
Produced by Laurentz Media, the documentary was recently honoured with a prestigious Silver Award for 2025 at the
International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFF Africa). This accolade follows hot on the heels of further recognition at the South African Film and Tourism Awards, cementing the film’s status as a definitive visual narrative of one of Africa’s most vital mountain ranges.
Prof Vasu Reddy, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Studies, says: “Congratulations to our Afromontane Research Unit on the Qwaqwa Campus for helping bring the Drakensberg to the world stage. This international award affirms the global relevance of our mountain research and its impact on society.”
Science meets the silver screen
The documentary offers more than just breathtaking cinematography of the Maloti-Drakensberg. The film serves as a platform for the critical scientific work being conducted on the UFS Qwaqwa Campus. The ARU – the university's flagship research hub for mountain studies – provided the expert backbone for production, showcasing how research into alpine plant ecology, climate change, and water security is vital for the survival of downstream communities.
Prof Ralph Clark, Director of the ARU, notes that such collaborations are essential for bridging the gap between complex science and public awareness. By featuring the ARU's ‘living laboratories,’ the film highlights the Qwaqwa Campus as a continental leader in mountain research.
Prof Vasu Reddy confirms, “At the UFS, innovation is not just technological. It is deeply human. The ARU’s contribution to this award-winning film demonstrates how research can transform public understanding and inspire more responsible stewardship of our natural world.”
Global reach: From the peaks to the skies
The impact of the documentary has now reached the global travel industry. During the first quarter of 2026, Mountains of Africa: The Drakensberg has been selected as an in-flight entertainment option on Ethiopian Airlines. This partnership allows travellers from across the world to witness the unique biodiversity of the Drakensberg and the pioneering research being led by UFS scholars from the foothills of the Free State.
“The inclusion of this documentary on international platforms underscores the global value of research that anticipates and responds to societal challenges. The UFS remains dedicated to innovation that safeguards communities and environments,” says Prof Reddy.
A proud moment for Qwaqwa
For the Qwaqwa Campus, this international recognition is a testament to the goal of becoming a research-led, globally impactful institution. The documentary does not just show the mountains; it shows the faces of the researchers – postdoctoral fellows, students, and professors – who brave freezing temperatures and high altitudes to protect our natural heritage.
“This award is a win for both the arts and the sciences,” says Prof Clark. “It puts our research unit on the map and shows that the knowledge generated here in Qwaqwa is of a world-class standard, worthy of the international stage.”
Prof Reddy observes, “Our researchers in the Maloti-Drakensberg are advancing science that not only explains the world but helps secure its future.”
As the ARU celebrates its 11th anniversary this year, the success of Mountains of Africa: The Drakensberg serves as a fitting tribute to a decade of discovery and a reminder that the work being done on the Qwaqwa Campus truly ‘rises’ above the rest.
In 2025, although not an award-winning documentary, Profs Vasu Reddy and Jared McDonald directed Qwaqwa – Place of Barriers and Bridges – a documentary that also featured the ARU as a key character.
Watch the film: