The Stellenbosch University Water Institute and Faculty of Agrisciences, in partnership with Maastricht School of Management (MSM), showcased the outcomes and achievements of a project aimed at strengthening skills in climate smart agriculture in South Africa during a workshop on Friday, 17 March 2023.
The project, titled “Strengthening skills of TVET staff and students for optimising water usage and climate smart agriculture in South Africa", forms part of the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP), funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The OKP is a €195-million Dutch global development programme that is promoted in 53 developing countries and managed by Nuffic, a Dutch non-profit organisation for internationalization in education. Over the past three years, part of it during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project reached several key milestones.
Delegations from several colleges attended the event, including Vhembe TVET College (Limpopo Province), Motheo TVET College (Free State), Nkangala TVET College (Mpumalanga), as well as Boland College and Elsenburg Agricultural Training Institute (Western Cape). Other attendees included representatives from MSM, Nuffic Neso South Africa, AgriColleges International (ACI), the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO), the Energy & Water Sector Education Training Authority (EWSETA), the Sustainability Institute, Capricorn TVET College, and West Coast College.
Some of the project milestones that were showcased during the seminar included the revision and implementation of student learning material related to water topic elements, the establishment of three high-technology horticulture greenhouses at Vhembe, Motheo, and Boland colleges respectively, and the establishment of a fully functional Cloud-based Moodle e-learning platform.
Another major milestone is the establishment of two agreements between academia, government and industry. The one was initiated between Motheo College, the Central University of Technology, and Free State Agriculture. The second partnership agreement involves Boland College and Rennie Farms, a major supplier of horticulture products to Woolworths, Shoprite, and Checkers. Recently, two graduates from Boland College who established an aquaponics business in the Breede Rivier region , also forms part of the partnership. Their business, called Manyolo Aquaponics and Culture, supplies vegetables to restaurants in the region.
In conclusion, Mr Manuel Jackson, project manager from Stellenbosch University Water Institute, and Mr Hans Nijhoff, project manager from MSM, thanked delegates for their participation in the seminar and support for the project.
An esteemed delegation attended the seminar at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) on 17 March 2023. From left to right, in the back row were Mrs Nikita Muller (ACI), Mr Vincent Uys (Boland College), Dr Estelle Kempen (Stellenbosch University), Mr Cyril Mazibuko (Nkangala TVET College), Mr Joseph Mfopa (Capricorn TVET College), Mr Renoir Hindley (Stellenbosch University Water Institute), Mr Charles Goodwin (Boland College), Mr Mainganye Michael Malivha (Vhembe TVET College), Mr Hans Nijhoff (Maastricht School of Management), Prof Danie Brink (Stellenbosch University), Elton Valla (Boland College), Ms Siona Rikoo (EWSETA), Ms Makgala Mary Ramonyatse (Capricorn TVET College), andMr Malwandla Khoza (Stellenbosh University Water Institute). In the middle were Ms Boitumelo Shokane (Capricorn TVET College), Ms Keitumetse Goeieman (Motheo TVET College),Mr Andre Muller (West Coast College), Mr Thato Lufuno Mahosi (Vhembe TVET College), Mr Bradley Jeena (Kleinwinkelhaak), Dr Rykie van der Westhuizen (Stellenbosch University), Dr Michele Carstens (Stellenbosch University Water Institute), Ms Thandiwe Mtyingizani (Sustainability Institute),Ms Rirhandzu Marivate (Sustainability Institute), Mrs Sarie Espach (ACI), Ms Adera Kachieng'a (Nuffic Neso SA), Ms Hayley Rodkin (Principal Elsenburg ATI), Ms Anica Labuschagne (Motheo TVET College) Mrs Bernadette Abrahams (Elsenburg ATI), Dr Patrick Malima (Vhembe TVET College), and Mr Charles Pule (QCTO). In the front row were Ms Refilwe Masilela (Nkangala TVET College), Ms Vuyolwethu Dyubele (Sustainability Institute), Mr Manuel Jackson (Stellenbosch University Water Institute), Ms Sandra Adriaansens (Maastricht School of Management), Mrs Refilwe Mohatlane (Motheo TVET College), Ms Tinny Tshamano (Vhembe TVET College), and Ms Nomalizo Mpati (Boland College). Photo: taken by Bjorn Groenewald (SCPS Photos)
