During orientation new students are introduced to staff, facilities and services that are available to them during their stay and study at the university. The programme combines presentations, talks, campus tours and hands-on activities to make them feel at home, and give them a sense of belonging during their time at UMP.

Welcoming the students, UMP Vice-Chancellor Professor Thoko Mayekiso congratulated them for making it to university and completing their school years during very challenging times.

“You successfully completed Grades 10 and 11 while the country was in the grip of Covid-19. By passing your matric you have already demonstrated your mental toughness. May the lessons you learned under challenging conditions help you navigate this new terrain of higher learning.

As we all know, passing matric is an important milestone towards achieving your educational and career goals. You don't go far without matric because it is the foundation for future educational success and progress. It is actually a great achievement to get a place at a university, and in particular at our institution.”

 

UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Thoko Mayekiso, congratulated the first-years for making it to university.

Professor Mayekiso further noted that the students had chosen wisely by coming to UMP, an institution where excellence is cherished, pursued, and celebrated for producing well-rounded, forward-thinking and innovative graduates.

She further assured the newcomers that UMP has a rich array of social and academic opportunities and has invested in the latest technology so that online learning can be optimized.

“As students, you can have the full benefit of all cyber platforms, the lecture venues, laboratories library and the Conference and Wellness Centre are all state of the art and well equipped.”

The Vice-Chancellor went on to explain that the institution thrives on partnerships and collaborations, which the institution enjoys with neighbouring and international universities.

SRC President, Mbongeni Mnisi, encouraged students to join social clubs.

“When the opportunity arises, we send our students to these partner institutions. We have two students who went to Austria last year, and another three who are still in Germany at present. These are the partnerships that we would like you to benefit from,” she concluded.

During orientation, first-year students also have the opportunity to learn more about student affairs and social clubs.

SRC President, Mbongeni Mnisi, explained the role of the student leadership and encouraged students to join the different clubs. Participating in social activities, he said, will assist them in maintaining a healthy balance between academic and social life on campus.

"The university has enabled a number of initiatives that allow students to form part of a step in the implementation of its slogan: creating opportunities – by offering a number of different societies and sports codes,” he said further encouraging the students to approach the SRC leadership with any matters they may need assistance with.

Migrating from high school to university can be an overwhelming adjustment, which is why the university has appointed student mentors to assist and guide first-years. The mentors are selected from senior students who during their stay at university, have been exemplary in behaviour and academic performance, and have also demonstrated good leadership qualities.

Student mentor, Lungelihle Dlamini, explained that each mentor is allocated a group of first-year students to nurture throughout the academic year. They are also allocated students in the programmes that they themselves belong to or have completed.

“We are expected to discover and understand causes of difficulties experienced by first-year students, and use this understanding to unlock the mentees’ potential to enable them to succeed.”

UMP Registrar, Mr Sello Legodi, discussed institutional rules and procedures.

Adapting to online learning can also be a challenge. The orientation programme assists students with the opportunity to learn how to use Moodle (UMP’s online learning platform), ITS and how to use email.

First-year seminars, workshops and presentations focus on academic literacy, study skills, time-management, financial literacy, university policies, student wellness, use of library and information resources, and other identified pertinent issues. These are meant to address areas of need.

UMP also offers the First-Year Experience (FYE) programme, which involves a series of activities that are aimed at developing students holistically, in order to initiate them into a successful academic life. These activities include orientation for first-year students, peer mentoring and academic support seminars and workshops.

These seminars and or workshops are offered fortnightly, and they are facilitated mostly by UMP staff and student mentors. When applicable, guest speakers are invited to give talks. The FYE programme gives students the comfort, courage, energy, strength, and confidence they require for the academic journey at UMP and beyond.

@ Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures @Chrisplphoto

Titled: Emotional Intelligence as an Essential Ingredient of an Effective People Management Strategy or Strategies for Effective Implementation of Policies and Good Governance Principles, the seminar was well attended by UMP staff, students, and interested parties who were able to view the livestream online. 

Professor Thakhathi, a distinguished academic and leadership coach, has urged leaders and managers to apply emotional intelligence and people management skills for businesses and institutions to succeed and produce great results.

“No matter how things are or escalate, actively listen and use wisdom; understand and apply knowledge to make sound judgements. As leaders, it is important that we manage our emotions to leave people feeling better, motivated and inspired.”

He explained that emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive, use, understand, manage, and handle emotions. People management is about finding solutions and resolving issues and being able to communicate before people explode.

“Emotional intelligence refers to the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.

Dr Nonzwakazi Maqubela was the Programme Director. 

It is the ability to perceive, interpret, demonstrate, control, evaluate and use emotions to communicate with and relate to others effectively and constructively,” said Professor Thakhath. He went on to mention that emotional intelligence is commonly defined by four attributes:

• Self-management: Being able to manage yourself by controlling impulsive behaviours and feelings; also relating to how you healthily manage your emotions, take initiative, follow through on a commitment, and adapt to change.
• Self-awareness: The ability to recognise your own emotions and how they affect your thoughts and behaviours; also relating to knowing your strengths, weaknesses and being confident. 
• Social awareness: Leaders should have empathy and understand the emotions, needs and concerns of other people. They should also be able to pick up emotional cues, feel comfortable socially, and recognise the power dynamics in a group or organisation.
• Relationship management: Leaders or managers should know how to develop and maintain a good relationship. They must also know how to communicate clearly, and inspire and influence others.

Professor Thakhathi further said that there are leaders who do not know how to take criticism. Some have difficulty in understanding it and some don’t take it well.

“Human beings can surprise you. The beauty of the human mind is that once we understand the different personality types, we can manage them. Create a good working environment, feel for others, have good discussions, and encourage feedback. This will result in good mental health, good relationships, and you will also understand situations.”

Siyabuswa Campus Director, Dr Emmanuel Tshikwatamba, delivered the note of thanks. 

Communication and approach

Professor Thakhathi mentioned another useful managerial skill required in a leadership role was people management, which he referred to as the practice of recruiting, training, engaging and retaining people to optimize their talent and maximize their productivity.

He said this essential skill also includes addressing people’s needs, unique talents and career objectives, while supporting their alignment with company goals and values.

“You must make sure that you leave everybody happy and motivated wherever you go. Communicate with your colleagues all the time and don't talk down to them. Communication in the workplace is the key to success. As leaders, academics, and students we must all have skills in how to deal with people. It is essential to apply emotional intelligence and people management skills in the workplace because that’s where people spend most of their time.”

He condemned the situation in which employees treat stakeholders negatively because it drives them away.

Professor Vusi Gumede introduced the speaker. 

“You must find a way of dealing with different people within the organisation and make sure that everyone feels at home. Even when dealing with your family, make sure that when you are away they miss you, not that they pray that you must not come back.”

He also highlighted the need to encourage people to approach problems in a very positive way. “For example, when I was still a dean, I used to make sure that when students came to me with problems, I encouraged them to immediately think about the solution instead of focusing on the problem.”

Investing in emotional intelligence is vital

Professor Thakhathi mentioned professional jealousy and that there is no need for competition and conflict in the workplace.

“Some leaders are failing to balance appreciation and critical criticism. Siyabuswa and Mbombela campus can work together. Creating a peaceful dialogue, apply knowledge using the right attitude and don’t take chances with knowledge – know the end and the beginning.”

In closing Professor Thakhathi said people management skills are essential regardless of the size of the organisation.

“Failure to manage your emotional intelligence has detrimental effects on the people you work with and ultimately on the organisation's performance. Leaders must be sensitive when handling organisational conflict. Leaders should invest in building emotional intelligence for their employees for both their health and that of the organisation.”

“As employees are assets of this university, let's leave a good legacy, let's make sure that you all work well together. There is no need for competition. Better leaders remain calm, strike a balance, and self-regulate.”

@ Story by Lisa Thabethe. Pictures ChrisplPhoto.

Among the newly introduced programmes is 13 postgraduate courses, two undergraduate qualifications: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), the Bachelor of Science in Forestry in 2023, and a Higher Certificate in Event Management.  

The Bachelor of Science in Forestry and Bachelor of Social Work are four-year programmes offered full time at Mbombela Campus. These programmes promote the principles of excellence and academic integrity. 

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) focuses on sociology, psychology and social work modules in the first, second and third year of study. In the fourth year, students are exposed to the practical and professional components of the degree.

The course prepares students to work as professional social workers registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP). Graduates may choose to work in the public service as social workers, or the private sector in the human resources division.

Graduates may work as employee assistance programme officers. Social workers may be employed in the corporate world to improve employee welfare and benefits. In non-governmental organisations, social workers design, implement, monitor, and evaluate intervention programmes.

Bachelor of Science in Forestry

The programme seeks to develop professionals and specialists with sound knowledge and technical skills required to work in the forestry sector. The curriculum is structured across five learning areas: foundational science, forestry production science, forest economics and entrepreneurship, natural resource management, and forest extension (with an emphasis on innovation). 

It also focuses on other key areas, such as Forest Biometrics and Remote Sensing; Forest Soils; Forest Biology; Silviculture; Forestry Ecology and Conservation, Wood Science and Forest Economics/Entrepreneurship and Management.

The programme includes the development of broader competencies, including leadership, writing and communication, the use of technology innovation as part of their learning tools, problem solving, and honesty and integrity. It will contribute towards increasing the qualification and skill-base of graduates from which lecturers, trainers, researchers and other forestry related professionals can be selected.

Head of the School of Agricultural Sciences, Professor Funsu Kutu, notes that graduates from the programme will be able to register and continue postgraduate studies at UMP (or another university) or enter the workplace.

Career opportunities for graduates from the programme will include the forestry industry, government departments (national and provincial), non-governmental or non-profit organisations, and training institutions as lecturer.

Graduates may also continue to undertake research-based master and doctorate degrees in the areas relevant to their field of specialisation.

Higher Certificate in Events Management

This one year course offered by the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is aimed at equipping students with the necessary knowledge, skills and attributes required of an event manager. Through the provision of academic and simulated work-integrated learning opportunities the programme equips graduates with the appropriate foundational knowledge and understanding of the general principles related to the event management field.

Graduates acquire the competencies required to fulfil a variety of entry level roles in the Events, Conferencing, Tourism and Hospitality sectors. The Certificate will allow the students to enter the workplace in roles such as event co-ordinator, event manager, event project manager, conference organiser, assistant venue manager, and many others.

The University of Mpumalanga is committed to offering its students a life-changing experience through high-quality curricula and co-curricula programmes.

The newly introduced postgraduate programmes include: 

• Advanced Diploma in Animal Production
• Postgraduate Diploma in Agriculture
• BA Hons in Gender Studies
• Bachelor of Education Honours in Teaching and Learning
• Bachelor of Administration Honours
• Bachelor of Commerce Honours
• Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Business Management
• Master of Arts in English Language and Literature
• Master of Arts in siSwati Language and Literature
• Master of Arts in Industrial Psychology
• Master of Arts in Psychology
• Master of Arts in Geography
• PhD Humanities (Sociology)

@ Story and pictures by the University of Mpumalanga.

Established in 2013, UMP enrolled the first cohort of 169 students in February 2014. Celebrating its 10th year in existence, the institution expected to enrol 8 000 students in 2023, up from just over 7 100 students in 2022. However, this year the university has received a record number of applications for the 2023 academic year. 

Speaking to some of the first-year students who come from different parts of the country and neighbouring states, it is clear that everyone is excited about what 2023 may hold, and that they take particular pride in having been accepted to study at the University of Mpumalanga, so that they may graduate and go out into the world and help to change it.

Limpopo-born N’wayitelo Chuma has registered for a Diploma in Hospitality Management. The aim of the course is to provide students with the appropriate knowledge, technical and personal skills and attitudes to work effectively, efficiently and sustainably at operational and supervisory levels within the hospitality industry.

Chuma says: “I am excited that I have been accepted and registered at the University of Mpumalanga. I am looking forward to learning new skills that will enhance my career options in the field of hospitality and tourism. Studying at UMP will help me get a job and hopefully in future I will own my own restaurant or hotel to employ young people from my hometown.”

Dlamini is looking forward to joining the UMP netball team. 

Chuma chose UMP because she saw the opportunities it has created for graduates who are from her hometown. “What stood out for me was the assistance received, from being financially cleared to registration and finally getting my student card. I can’t wait to see more of the university and the facilities that are here. I will be staying on campus which will help me attend classes on time, and will allow me to experience student life to the fullest.”

UMP Deputy Registrar, Ms Nokukhanya Shongwe, notes with great pride that the applications have more than doubled since last year.

“We received 107 000 applications in 2022. This number has more than doubled this year with just over 
210 000 students applying to study at UMP in 2023. Though we wish we had the capacity to accommodate every applicant, we only had to accept 2 817 new students.”

Another student, Sukoluhle Dlamini, has chosen to do a Diploma in Nature Conservation because she has intentions and the drive to solve nature's disasters currently faced by the world.

“I chose the University of Mpumalanga because it’s closer to home and I know a lot of students from home who also helped me with my application.”

Chuma wants to learn more about animals and the environment. 

Having attended the open day last year, Dlamini already had a good grasp of what to expect when she came to campus. With a keen interest in wildlife and conservation, she says:

“I am looking forward to learning about nature and animals and hopefully get a chance to actually work with wild animals. I got a chance to look at the facilities and infrastructure of the campus during the open day early last year, that’s how I knew I wanted to be a UMP student.”

Dlamini added that she was also particularly keen to meet new people from other parts of the country, and that she looks forward to joining the netball team.

Adding to the excitement of being at UMP is Siphozinhle Khwalo. All the way from Gauteng, she is studying towards a Bachelor of Science General degree and chose UMP because she wants to become a specialist in her chosen field.

"Since I have intentions to major in Geology and Geography, I've noticed that since the ozone layer is 'depleting' we have more rainfall, which leads to roads and fields being damaged."

Khwalo further added: "I would like to introduce new minerals that will be strong enough to be used in the fields so that it will not be easily ruined and will limit the damage to especially roads."

This year, registrations took place both online and on campus. Newly registered students were encouraged to attend orientation to learn more about UMP and to familiarise themselves with the university's facilities. 

The Student Affairs division is ready and committed to focusing their energy on creating a healthy, safe, inclusive and vibrant environment that will offer each and every student at UMP a quality experience at university.

The 2023 registration process was a great success and was streamlined with the help of UMP staff as well as returning students who also made sure that students were able to acquire accommodation both on and off campus.

@ Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures Supplied.

The promotion of academic staff members is in line with UMP’s personal promotion policy which aims to reward academics for their contribution in striving for excellence and scholarship in teaching and learning, research, and engagement.

Promoted academic staff members are as follows:

• Dr Ayanda Shabalala
• Dr Mazanai Musara
• Dr Zakheleni Dube
• Dr Tatenda Dalu

Associate Professors with effect from 1 February 2023:

• Prof Thandeka Sabela
• Prof Ferdinand Niyimbanira
• Prof Kanayo Ogujiuba
• Prof Gordon O'Brien
• Prof Wisemen Chingombe
• Prof Eurika Jansen Van Vuuren

Full Professor with effect from 1 February 2023:

• Prof Daniel Parker

“The promotion of our academics represents career growth. It is tangible proof of their enhanced qualitative contribution to their disciplines and a valuable contribution to our relentless pursuit of academic excellence,” said Professor Thoko Mayekiso, UMP Vice-Chancellor.

@ Story by UMP Communications Division.

Mamogobo went on an educational tour of England and Scotland to visit several higher learning institutions, after receiving the bursary in 2022.

The trip, she says, has given her the edge to push forward the frontiers of knowledge. “I have been contemplating on either going for Research or Clinical Psychology. Thankfully, the tour has offered so much clarity when it comes to my career endeavours.

Among many other things, I enjoyed my time at some of the top universities in the world: Cambridge, Oxford, and St. Andrews. Meeting and interacting with South African students studying in the UK was awe-inspiring and was a confirmation that anything is possible.

“Being among an extraordinary calibre of students across 18 universities has stretched my level of curiosity and eagerness to learn. Engaging in robust debates and discussions have been some of the many highlights on the trip. I have learned to be an active listener and to be open-minded. As a result, I am confident enough to say I am an empowered person,” she said.

“Our university's vision statement is ‘To be an African university leading in creating opportunities for sustainable development through innovation’. I believe research is the main catalyst for sustainable development and innovation, and the main tool which propels humanity forward.

As a result, I am hoping to be a Research Psychologist with an interest in education and African Psychology. I also hope that one day my work will help shape South Africa's education system for the better.”

Mamogobo adds that the Abe Bailey experience harnessed her with what she would like to call the E-trifecta, namely, exposure, empowerment, and equipment.

“There is something ground-breaking about exposure. An individual can only aspire to the level of their awareness and exposure. I believe the trip has increased my level of exposure as that becomes the much-needed arsenal to propel me to the next level of life.”

She further explains that the tour was a life-changing experience, which afforded her the opportunity to learn more about the bilateral relationship between the UK and South Africa.

“One of my highlights was visiting the South African High Commission where I had the opportunity to ask about the measures in place to make sure that scholarships are easily accessed by learners in disadvantaged communities who aspire to study abroad." 

Mamogobo is also the winner of the Archbishop Thabo Makgoba student essay-writing  competition.  

Winning the essay writing competition

While away on the Abe Bailey experience, Mamogobo was announced as the overall winner of the essay writing competition at the seventh Archbishop Thabo Makgoba Annual Lecture, held recently at the Mbombela campus.

The focus of her essay was to shine a light on the University of Mpumalanga as an ecosystem for moral and ethical leaders. She explains that it also explores how the institution's culture and values play an integral role in endorsing moral and ethical leadership.

“I found out that I won the essay competition right after I landed in Dubai for my education tour. I had mixed emotions having won the competition and being an aspiring leader myself and actively partaking in student-based leadership positions.”

She mentions that the essay explored three themes: moral and ethical leadership; the concept of action as an important factor in leadership, and lastly, giving tribute to moral and ethical leaders who exist within the university borders. 

"I was motivated by UMP's core values as they are in the students’ and staff’s day-to-day activities. One value that stood out for me was collaboration, for it guides moral and ethical leaders to not act only for themselves but for the people they lead.”

Mamogobo adds that the active student leadership at the university also motivated her.

“They are an embodiment of the UMP core values and have done exceptional work in their respective leadership positions. Moral and ethical leaders understand that success is not a one-man show, and this is echoed by one of the university's core values, which is collaboration and I believe this is the golden thread that ties the rest of the values together."

Her winning essay won her a gift voucher from Exclusive Books to the value of R1 000. She has not yet received her prize, but she plans on advancing her bookshelf, and reading 23 books as one of her new year's resolutions for 2023. She aims to buy self-help books under the category of leadership, psychology, and business.

@ Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied.

The province of Mpumalanga, and South Africa more broadly, is characterised by competing and often conflicting demands for land for agriculture and forestry, for conservation and tourism, for mining, and for human settlement.

Thus, the new generation of natural and Earth scientists must be able to work in this contested space and understand the genuine demands from all the players. This is a key aim of the Bachelor of Science (BSc) qualification.

Perfectly positioned to assist students with mapping this path, is University of Mpumalanga’s newly appointed lecturer in geology, Dr Xolane Mhlanga.

With a PhD in Geology from Rhodes University, and a BSc degree in Geology and Environmental Sciences, the Mpumalanga born academic brings with him a field of knowledge and expertise that will benefit students, staff and the faculty at large.

“The fact that the University of Mpumalanga is a young institution, coupled with its location in our province, presents me with a huge opportunity to be part of an evolving and innovative academic space – both for learning and research purposes. I bring the skills I learned throughout my academic career to make this institution the number one choice for students wanting to pursue a career in geology,” he says.

As an early career geoscientist in South Africa, Dr Mhlanga's plans include contributing to world class, high impact research in his field to advance the understanding of ore genesis in iron and manganese deposits in the world.

“To curb the impact of climate change on our livelihoods, the world is shifting towards renewable energy resources. Primary resources like manganese (used in battery technology) will play a significant role in pushing us towards reaching goals such as the storage of solar or wind produced electricity and the inevitable takeover of electric vehicles.”

Dr Mhlanga believes that academics and institutions should produce research that is relevant to the ever-changing times that we are facing, not only as a country but globally as well.

“We need to find ways to share our research across our various fields with all the different stakeholders - not just within the scientific community. This is important to create policies that may result in the creation of sustainable jobs and future-proofing our infrastructure against the effects of climate change."

Budding young geologist

Growing up, Dr Mhlanga always had a keen interest in and curiosity about the Earth and the processes that controlled and governed natural phenomena.

“In high school my interests shifted towards Earth Sciences, when we were taught geomorphology in geography classes. During this time, I was always glued to the National Geographic channel as surfing the internet was somewhat of a luxury at home."

Dr Mhlanga during the graduation ceremony for his PhD at Rhodes University.

His love and interest for geography saw him head to the Eastern Cape, where he registered for and completed his BSc with majors in Geology and Environmental Sciences at Rhodes University in 2012.

“In 2013, I enrolled for BSc Honours in Geology and the following year pursued an MSc in Geology at Rhodes University under PRIMOR (Postgraduate Research in Iron and Manganese Ore Resources) headed by my former PhD advisor, Professor Harilaos Tsikos. This MSc was subsequently upgraded to a PhD in September 2015 as the project had the potential to have a significant impact at PhD level.”

The PhD project was essentially a continuation of his earlier work, with emphasis on understanding the interplay between primary and diagenetic cycling of carbon in the Hotazel formation, through the combined use of mineral chemistry, stable isotope geochemistry and iron speciation techniques.

He started working as a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at Rhodes University from January 2020 to January 2023 after completing his PhD in Geology. He was also employed as a temporary lecturer in the geology department at Rhodes University from September 2019 to December 2022.

“During my doctoral studies, I got to spend time at the University of California in Riverside, learning wet chemical techniques (Sequential Fe extraction) under my PhD co-advisor, Professor Timothy Lyons, as part of the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI). I finally graduated for my PhD at Rhodes University in 2020 in absentia due to the pandemic, but we then had a celebratory ceremony in October 2022.”

Research, teaching and learning

Dr Mhlanga lectured in Economic Geology at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and Low Temperature Geochemistry at undergraduate level. His research focus is on iron and manganese ore deposits in the Northern Cape of South Africa, with an emphasis on ore genesis.

“After completing my PhD in 2020, I was a postdoctoral research fellow at Rhodes University until I joined the University of Mpumalanga. During the last year of my doctoral studies and my postdoctoral fellowship, I was also employed as a temporary lecturer at Rhodes University where I taught first-year to honours courses,” he says.

Dr Mhlanga further notes that the next few years will be pivotal to his career as intends applying the skills he acquired during his postgraduate studies practically in a laboratory setting. 

“I will be carrying out research relevant to the needs of stakeholders such as mining companies, government agencies, renewable energy firms, and so forth. I also want to support and work with the upcoming generation of geoscientists.”

He adds: “As a country, we find ourselves facing various challenges affecting our livelihoods. From natural disasters such as the recent heavy rains, to economic hardships and uncertainties in our future.”

@ Story by Lisa Thabethe. Pictures supplied.

Driven by his background and rural upbringing in Naas, Nkomazi, Mpumalanga, Silinda has created three apps which he hopes will empower entrepreneurs and lead to the creation of more job opportunities.

His company, PJS-CHEM, has developed the apps, one of which is called SmartD, an innovative online shopping app which makes grocery delivery easier and more convenient for especially rural communities.

“Its intention is to give people the freedom to shop for groceries and clothing from the comfort of their homes. The app is unique as it gives rural people the opportunity to shop and have their goods delivered on their doorstep," he explains. 

“With this app, people will get employed. We have our own delivery services – we will hire our own drivers. We will need people who own vehicles and motorbikes to use this app to earn money as delivery staff." 

Another development, universitiesaccomodation.com, is created to bring convenience to property owners and university students seeking accommodation. Currently the app is being used by the University of Mpumalanga, the University of Johannesburg, Witwatersrand University, the University of KwaZulu Natal and Tshwane University of Technology.

“Competing in business is not enough; having a business that generates more revenue with a smaller number of people employed, is not enough. Solving society's problems and providing job opportunities are what make a business successful.”

"Our third app is called Smart Tracker, which is designed to track assets such as electronic devices and vehicles, which is the one we competed with at the EDHE Intervarsity Student Competition in 2022,” he explains, adding that the app has received a number of accolades. It is now linked for installation of trackers in laptops being distributed to students and linked to car manufacturers for installation of trackers.

Silinda says for him to be able to come up with modern and people-centric apps, he stays abreast of technology trends by participating in industry events and competitions such as to EDHE. He says these events expose him to the latest developments and ideas, allow him to network, and to meet role players and entrepreneurs from various industries.

“Last year I took part and competed in the intervarsity competition, which was not about winning, we were after exposure. That worked for our start-up – we managed to gain more traffic toward our company as people began to trust our brand and has seen its growth,” he says.

Silinda is currently designing an app for the marketing purposes of a new airline.

“As a company, we would like to focus our efforts in 2023 on creating job opportunities and empowering the youth and women in South Africa. Our main focus will be the community of the University of Mpumalanga. 

We expect to hire more than 50 people in all our business and also to go back to the competitions. Networking is the most important part of every business, the more you network the more your business is likely to grow in a short period.”

@ Story by Cleopatra Makhaga. Pictures supplied.

Themba, a postgraduate Nature Conservation student, attended the National Research Fund’s South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB) summer school, which is hosted annually to introduce students to fieldwork in estuarine and marine environments, acoustic telemetry and baited remote underwater stereo-BRUV systems, as well as data analysis associated with both methods.

From a marine perspective, South Africa forms the southern apex of a major continental mass, flanked by very different marine ecosystems on the east and west coasts, and projecting towards the cold Southern Ocean large marine ecosystem. SAIAB’s scientific leadership and expertise in freshwater aquatic biodiversity is vital to the national interest when dealing with issues arising from exponentially increasing pressures of human population growth and development.

An internationally recognised centre for the study of aquatic biodiversity, SAIAB is a National Facility of the National Research Foundation and serves as a major scientific resource for knowledge and understanding the biodiversity and functioning of globally significant aquatic ecosystems. With both marine and freshwater biogeographical boundaries, southern Africa is ideally placed to monitor and document climate change.

"Some of the learnings at the summer school included tagging, conservation, and management of fish. We also did research on the movement of fish from estuarine into the marine environment (estuary marine connectivity)."

She further explains that the SAIAB summer school provides a platform for students to be exposed to different career paths in the aquatic environment. They are also looking for students to join their team and they work with some institutions of higher learning. 

Themba has intentions to teach her community about nature conversation. 

"We learnt about ways of collecting population data and observation data of fish and other macro- organisms/animals that are found only on the sea floor. It records what happens in the water column. It can be used in different marine and estuarine habitats.

“Within SAIAB there is a coelacanth ecosystem programme, which is a large programme within the NFR that provides access to funding to do research in the marine environments. A lot of it is orientated around addressing critical questions surrounding marine sustainability and adaptation."

The 24-year-old says she chose a nature conservation qualification because of her interest in natural resources (both terrestrial and aquatic) and because she wants to educate others about environmental issues.

“I grew up in a rural environment where most people rely on natural resources to make a living and are unaware of the dangers and importance of sustainable natural resource management. I was also fascinated by the concept of climate change. I realised the natural resources are depleting faster than we (human beings) are able to replace them."

Themba concludes that she believes through education, she can be able to come up with mitigating measures and new strategies that will assist with addressing climate change challenges.

@ Story by Lisa Thabethe. Pictures Supplied.