Memantine is one of the main drugs prescribed for patients with mild to severe Alzheimer's disease. Yet, despite an 8.5% increase worldwide in the use of the drug between 2008 and 2018, uncertainties remain regarding the most favorable treatment concentrations.

To address this question, scientists in the Department of Physiological Sciences at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) investigated the concentration-dependent effect of memantine in a neuronal cell model. Intriguingly, they found that low (and not high) concentrations of memantine led to the induction of mitophagy 每 that is, the selective degradation of mitochondria within the cell; a process that has been shown to enhance cell survival and longevity through the removal of dysfunctional mitochondria.

In Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, dysfunctional mitochondria are an early hallmark of the disease.

Dr Sholto de Wet, main author of the paper published in the journal Cell, says they found that memantine increases the rate at which dysfunctional mitochondria are degraded: ※This ensures the presence of new and properly functioning mitochondria that then contribute towards the cell's energetic state. However, when higher concentrations were used, it was noted that autophagy, a pathway responsible for the degradation of proteins, was increased," he explains.

Further research is now needed to translate these findings into more complex model systems, including the brain.

What drives neurodegenerative diseases on a cellular level?

The latest work was done against the background of ongoing research in Prof. Ben Loos' research group in SU's Department of Physiological Sciences on the role of cell death in driving neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinsons' and Huntington's disease.

※We are now starting to understand that there is an interdependent relationship between three important processes in the cell, which can be compared to our digestive system," De Wet explains.

For example, the rate at which proteins are degraded through autophagy can be compared to the mouth, taking in the damaged parts of the cell. The second process (called lysosomal acidification) is akin to the stomach, where acids aid in digesting those parts. Lastly, the mitochondrial network function provides energy to the cell to function properly, enabling lysosomes to acidify and thereby ensuring that the food can be digested in the first place, he explains.

Previously, these processes were studied separately or only as one related to another, rather than considering all three interdependently. This new way of thinking allows them to understand much better the molecular defect that drives these diseases.

Moreover, thus far scientists have mostly focused on the insoluble aggregates of misfolded proteins, deposited in regions of the brain that correspond with the symptoms of the disease at later stages. According to de Wet, how these proteins are degraded inside the cell as well as the role of mitochondria during this process is gaining increasingly interest.

De Wet and Loos now argue that these aggregates are not the root cause of neurotoxicity per se, but rather that they arise due to the disfunction of the protein degradation pathway, i.e., autophagy.

In another article, they show that the moment the interdependent relationship between those three processes is disrupted, the system will be thrown out of balance and the problematic proteins won't be degraded. In the case of neurodegenerative diseases, the proteins will continue to be over-produced and interact with different parts of the cell, including the mitochondria, effectively leading to the cell dying if their levels aren't kept low.

This means that targeting any three sides of this triangle, for example by enhancing mitophagy, will lead to protecting the cell: ※This is relevant, as many problematic proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases have been shown to damage the cell by interrupting mitochondrial activity. Memantine may therefore offer an avenue by which the mitochondria that are being interfered with, can be removed from the system, possibly along with the problematic proteins," de Wet explains.

According to Loos, this action of the drug memantine had not been described previously: ※Our research points to an important mechanism, which, if exploited in a well-targeted manner, may contribute to a new way of thinking and approaching the treatment of Alzheimer's disease." 

In the image above, the effect of the two different concentrations of memantine within the cells are shown. The cells treated with low concentrations of memantine (50 uM) had more events occurring (more pink and white dots), whereas with higher concentrations (100 uM) it did not happen to the same degree. Image: Sholto de Wet

The article titled ※The highs and lows of memantine 每 an autophagy and mitophagy inducing agent that protects mitochondria" was recently published in Cell.   

On the photos above, Dr Sholto de Wet and Prof. Ben Loos. Images: Wiida Fourie-Basson and Stefan Els

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As World Drowning Prevention Day? approaches on July 25, Stellenbosch Univers?ity? (SU) and the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI)? are reinforcing their commitment to drowning prevention through enhanced partnerships, research, and education.

The university's Division of Emergency Medicine? has formalised its collaboration with NSRI through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), aimed at advancing research and training in drowning prevention and rescue.

Professor Sa'ad Lahri, head of SU's Division of Emergency Medicine, emphasised the significance of this partnership. "This collaboration bridges the gap between academic knowledge and practical rescue services," he said. "It enables us to develop more comprehensive drowning prevention strategies, enhance emergency medical education, and improve our community outreach efforts."

The initiative comes in response to South Africa's alarming drowning statistics, with an average of 1 500 drownings annually, 29% of which involve children under 14.

Key focus areas of the SU-NSRI partnership include:

1. Research on drowning occurrence, prevention, and treatment
2. Education and practical training for healthcare students and practitioners on aquatic emergencies
3. Public awareness campaigns on water safety and drowning risks

"By bringing together medical students, doctors, paramedics, and prehospital professionals, we're creating a holistic approach to drowning prevention and emergency care," Lahri explained. He added that the collaboration provides students with hands-on experience from NSRI rescuers, equipping them with practical skills and situational awareness crucial for managing drowning incidents.

Lahri stressed that the initiative goes beyond teaching swimming or performing rescues. "We're fostering a culture of water safety that permeates every level of our society," he said. "Through this partnership and our focus on interprofessional education, we're cultivating the next generation of healthcare professionals who will approach drowning prevention with a collaborative, community-focused mindset."

As World Drowning Prevention Day is commemorated, SU and NSRI reaffirm their commitment to creating a future where drowning fatalities are obsolete. The partnership and emphasis on interprofessional education are viewed as key steps towards achieving this ambitious goal.

Photo caption: Prof Sa'ad Lahri.??

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With Stellenbosch 肆客足球's (SU) focus on social impact awareness in July, this series of profiles celebrates remarkable individuals and teams who make a meaningful contribution beyond the 肆客足球's walls. The recent inaugural Social Impact Awards recognised academic and professional administrative support services (PASS) staff at SU who are driving positive change in diverse spheres of life. Dr Ebrahiem Botha and Jabu Lukhele won an award for their dedication to a programme that provide high school leaners and teachers access to practical chemistry laboratory work.

It takes two very special men to not only put their heart and soul into a programme that helps high school learners and teachers excel in chemistry, but to also constantly strive to honour the legacy of the formidable woman who started one of SU's flagship community outreach programmes.

When Dr Ebrahiem Botha and Jabu Lukhele talk about SUNCOI (SU Chemistry Outreach Initiative), their passion for sharing the wonders of chemistry with young people is tangible. Both credit Dr Rehana Malgas-Enus, who tragically passed away in 2022, as their inspiration to dedicate time over weekends and after hours to nurture a love for chemistry in learners.

Lukhele, Principal Technical Officer of the Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science, says Malgas-Enus was his friend, mentor and supervisor. ※Dr Rehana was one of the most remarkable and driven people I ever met. I learned so much from her. When I joined SU in 2014, she told me about the chemistry outreach idea and asked me to come on board to help with technical aspects of the laboratory work."

'How do schools do it?'

A lecturer in the Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science at the time, Malgas-Enus started the programme in 2013 with the idea to give grade 12 students from five underprivileged schools access to the laboratory facilities at SU to fulfil the practical assessments that are necessary for physical science.

Lukhele has a vivid memory of the inception of the SUNCOI programme. ※Dr Rehana and I were looking at one of the matric question papers. The students were expected to name different laboratory equipment such as pipettes and burettes or beakers. We looked at each other and wondered how the learners were supposed to know about such things. Both of us went to schools where we didn't have labs, we only got to interact with such equipment when we came to university," Lukhele says.

The question ※how do schools do it?" led Malgas-Enus to reach out to subject advisors at the Department of Education. Not receiving a satisfactory answer ignited her drive to find a solution. ※We contacted local schools to understand what they needed, and we got hold of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) document for Grade 12," Lukhele recalls.

Teachers said they needed help with complying to CAPS guidelines, so Malgas-Enus and colleagues decided to design a series of CAPS compliant physical sciences experiments for Grades 10 to 12. It was well received and with an endorsement by the physical science subject advisor, approved by the Western Cape Education Department.

Help for learners and teachers

Although the collaboration with local schools began with the CAPS workbook, soon another need was identified. Many teachers lack the know-how to conduct chemistry experiments. To address this, SUNCOI started organising annual workshops for teachers from around the Cape Winelands, training them to perform the experiments. The teachers are incredibly grateful for this hands-on experience, Lukhele says.

Recognising that physical science teachers would still face challenges in their own schools, the SUNCOI team developed a cost-effective kit that contains chemical reagents and basic lab consumables for the different experiments the teachers need to conduct in the classroom.

The initiative started with laboratory workshops for Grade 12s only, but quickly expanded as Grades 10 and 11 teachers, and eventually others, also expressed interest. SUNCOI's programme now covers experiments from Grade 4 through Grade 12, with each experiment supported by a purchasable kit for classroom use.

Over the past ten years, thousands of learners and their teachers have donned white lab coats and safety spectacles to perform the prescribed experiments in several of the Chemistry Department's fully equipped laboratories.

?Inspirational role models

Botha started working at SU in 2020 and didn't hesitate to join the SUNCOI programme shortly after. ※I teach the Extended Curriculum Programme (ECP) students. This course is designed for matrics who need to improve their marks to be able to enrol in a mainstream degree programme," he explains.

After Malgas-Enus' passing, Botha put up his hand to take on the role of coordinator of the SUNCOI programme. ※I wanted to honour her legacy by continuing the work. Jabu and I make a very good team. We both have a passion for chemistry and teaching. Our energy resonates with each other," he says.

Botha's own journey as an academic serves as an inspiration to students. ※I was one of those learners who didn't do well in school," he shares. ※Through the 肆客足球 of the Free State, I completed a bridging year at a satellite campus in Oudtshoorn to improve my matric marks. I then went all the way through university to complete my PhD in chemistry. I want to be an inspiration to students, especially those who didn't do that well in school, to show them if you just work hard, you can also become successful."

Lukhele notes that Malgus-Enus had a similar background. She grew up in Mitchell's Plain and her mother, who was widowed at age 31, worked in a steel factory to support herself and her two daughters. ※Dr Rehana's mom inspired her to believe she could be anything if she set her mind to it and worked hard. Part of her drive was to go back to her community and tell kids: 'Don't look at your circumstances, don't look at what you don't have. We're here to help you achieve your dreams'.

※I also grew up in a township. Stellenbosch is worlds apart from my childhood circumstances in Johannesburg. I'm fortunate and grateful that people like Dr Rehana believed in me and gave me support to establish a career in science. It inspires me to do the same for others," Lukhele says.

For the love of science

Most of SUNCOI's workshops, for as much as 100 learners at a time, happen over weekends but the two chemistry boffins never complain about the extra load. ※Nobody is forcing us to do this," Botha emphasises. ※We do it as volunteers for the love of science. Luckily, we have a very dedicated team of about 15 postgraduate students and support staff from the chemistry and polymer science department who assist us in the laboratory when we conduct the workshops."

Some of the participants in the SUNCOI programme have been so inspired that they've continued to study at SU. Lukhele loves the thrill of encountering former SUNCOI learners in the chemistry laboratories as SU students.

Since it started, the popularity of the SUNCOI programme has had a ripple effect. Other universities have expressed interest and asked for assistance from SU to implement similar programmes. ※We've collaborated with the 肆客足球 of Pretoria and Nelson Mandela 肆客足球," Lukhele mentions.

They recently also received a request from the Cape Peninsula 肆客足球 of Technology (CPUT) for assistance. ※One of our postgraduate students who's now a lecturer at the CPUT wants us to help implement the programme there. Another student who completed his PhD at SU recently reached out from the 肆客足球 of Johannesburg to collaborate," Lukhele says with a proud smile.

The SUNCOI team has even been approached by one of the world's largest scientific societies, the American Chemical Society, to organise a workshop.

At the heart of what these two men do at SUNCOI is a passion to motivate learners not to give up challenging subjects. ※We encourage learners to stick with maths and science subjects, because it can open so many doors in future," Lukhele says. ※Our department's motto is 'chemistry is life'. Chemistry is everywhere. We tell learners when you buy chocolate, there's chemistry behind it. If you're making coffee or tea, by adding all those things, you're doing chemistry. It's that simple and magical."

PHOTO: Prof Nico Koopman (Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel), Dr Ebrahiem Botha, Jabu Lukhele and Dr Leslie van Rooi (Senior Director: Social Impact & Transformation) at the Social Impact Awards. (Photo taken by Stefan Els)

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At the heart of education in medicine and health sciences lies a burning question: What drives excellence and innovation in teaching? At Stellenbosch 肆客足球, a group of passionate educators is not only asking this question but actively seeking answers. They are the Scholarship of Educational Leadership in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (SoEL-FMHS), and their story is one of inspiration and transformation.

The SoEL-FMHS is a faculty-specific initiative that grew from the university's Scholarship of Educational Leadership (SoEL) short course. Each year, selected staff members who play leadership roles in Teaching, Learning and Assessment (TLA) are invited to register for this NQF Level 8 short course. Upon completing the part-time, year-long programme, these educators join a growing community of teaching and learning mentors at the university. Under the leadership of Prof Karin Baatjes, FMHS Vice Dean: Learning and Teaching, the SoEL-FMHS group started with a small number of SoEL short course graduates. It has since expanded to include dedicated members from across the faculty who are passionate about leading in health professions education, both professionally and generally.

Since 2021, the group has made significant strides. They've hosted annual journal clubs, produced research that enhances teaching and learning, created repositories of educational data, and introduced well-attended teaching, learning and assessment (TLA) forums in the faculty. These forums serve as platforms where educators and stakeholders convene to discuss relevant TLA topics. They offer opportunities to share best practices, address challenges, and explore scholarly approaches to educational leadership that can be applied in various academic contexts.

The SoEL-FMHS is more than just a group; it's a community of educators united by a common purpose: to become better leaders in TLA and improve educational practices. This initiative works in conjunction with the Department of Health Professions Education (DHPE) and the Centre for Teaching and Learning on Stellenbosch campus, all striving to enhance faculty members' skills and knowledge in teaching and learning.

The goals of SoEL-FMHS are as diverse as its members. Primarily, they aim to ignite interest and curiosity in educational leadership among faculty. The group engages academic leaders in scholarly approaches to educational practices, laying the groundwork for evidence-based strategies. They strive to build a strong community of TLA leaders within the FMHS, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. Ultimately, they aspire to be trailblazers within the broader Stellenbosch 肆客足球 community, setting an example for educational leadership in action.

SoEL-FMHS aligns with SU's Teaching and Learning policy, which outlines four key roles for lecturers: Reflective practitioners, Scholarly teachers, Teaching scholars, and Leaderly teaching scholars. The initiative focuses particularly on developing leaderly teaching scholars - individuals who not only teach but inspire and lead by example, driving positive changes in education.

Through their dedication and innovative approaches, the SoEL-FMHS is shaping the future of medical and health sciences education at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 and beyond.

The SoEL-FMHS boasts a diverse team of dedicated educators, each bringing unique expertise to the initiative:

• Prof Karin Baatjes, Vice Dean of Learning and Teaching, brings her surgical background and passion for teaching to innovate in health professions education.
• Prof Ren谷e Blaauw's commitment to mentorship and scholarly teaching inspires others within SoEL-FMHS.
• Dr Marli Conradie-Smit contributes her endocrinology expertise and dedication to teaching excellence.
• Prof Ian Couper's leadership in rural health and inter-professional education fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Ms Janine Correia innovates teaching methods, enhancing students' educational experiences.
• Prof Dawn Ernstzen's physiotherapy expertise and focus on health professions education empower both students and educators.
• Prof Faadiel Essop, the current SoEL-FMHS chairperson, aligns his research prowess and commitment to holistic education with the initiative's vision.
• Dr Berna Gerber enriches the discourse with her dedication to cross-cultural health care and health humanities education.
• Dr Lee-Ann Jacobs-Nzuzi Khuabi's focus on transformative learning drives innovation and challenges the status quo.
• Ms Tshepo Motsepe's nursing experience and disaster nursing research contribute to the initiative's interdisciplinary approach.
• Dr Rhoda Meyer's background in operating room nursing and passion for faculty development support academics and clinicians in their teaching roles.
• Dr Liezl Smit's transition from clinical practice to medical education research exemplifies SoEL-FMHS's ethos of continuous learning.
• Ms Talita van Schalkwyk's commitment to person-centredness and transformative pedagogy nurtures inclusivity and empathy.
• Prof Karen Welman, a newer member, believes in the transformative power of teaching and learning leadership.

SoEL-FMHS is dedicated to empowering the next generation of educational leaders in medical and health science education. Through their collective expertise and unwavering commitment, these members continue to inspire positive change and foster excellence, shaping the future of healthcare education.

The group looks forward to hosting a panel discussion at a future SU Scholarship of Teaching and Learning conference, introducing the concept of a Faculty-Specific SoEL group to the broader university community and other interested parties.

Those interested in joining SoEL-FMHS sessions and forums are invited to contact Prof Essop, the SoEL-FMHS chairperson.

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Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) student Francisca Darkoh, who runs a food business called FoodbyFranniDee, recently partnered with the GreenPeace Foundation SA to organise a soup kitchen on campus for Mandela Day.

Darkoh, who is pursuing an MSc in Physiological Sciences, has made it her mission to tackle one of the Sustainable Development Goals, #ZeroHunger, by assisting students with meals during tough periods of the year. These include during registration and at exam time when many students with funding difficulties find it even more challenging to afford food.

While the plan is to run the soup kitchen as frequently as possible, it is currently only feasible for it to be held once a month. So far, two soup kitchens have been held, both coinciding with commemorative days 每 Youth Day in June and then Mandela Day in July.

As a Mandela Rhodes scholar who has served in various student leadership positions, Darkoh is able to apply her skills and leverage her access to resources and funding to organise the soup kitchen. A team of volunteers, including Darkoh's sister and other students from the Senior Living Spaces (SLS) Cluster, helped with the preparation and cooking for the Youth Day offering. ※It was good to see people that I've never even met before come together and be like, Fran, we are here to assist you," she said.

※I have always wanted to give back, because I did not get this far just by myself. It has been people chipping in here and there, inviting me to places. I have had this desire to say thank you." Speaking from her own experience as a student, Darkoh added: ※I know that around this time, people struggle with some going home and others staying in residence. If people are sitting around on campus, it often means they don't have money to go home and they don't have money for food."

Liyabona George, a BA Honours French student who was at the Youth Day soup kitchen, shared her appreciation. ※It was a good way to bond with people, sit down and break bread. Overall, it was a positive experience and I feel like more of them should be done at periods like these to help make a dent in the food security challenge that many students face."

These sentiments were echoed by Siyabonga Masango, a student leader in the SLS cluster and a volunteer who assisted with the preparation. ※This was a great initiative, especially during this time as students struggle with food security. This project helped where it could, and hundreds of students were served."

 ※I decided to cook food that my friends and I would also want to eat," said Darkoh of her meal preparation for the soup kitchen. It was important to respect the dignity of the students by serving good-quality food. She was able to provide over 200 meals, with some food still left over for students to enjoy later.  

Beyond building community, the Youth Day Soup Kitchen exemplifies three of SU's values, equity, compassion and respect, in action. ※This initiative is particularly important for senior students who are less likely to get bursaries and financial support. We noticed that many senior students showed up for the soup kitchen, which suggests that if we unite over such initiatives, it will be of great benefit to the SLS community," Masango concluded. 

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?Prof Herman Wasserman from the Department of Journalism in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences delivered his inaugural lecture on 23 July 2024. The title of his lecture was ※Making media matter: on truth, dignity, and love".

Wasserman spoke to the Corporate Communication and Marketing Division about how he helps contribute to a better understanding of the media in our daily lives, in our democratic politics, in the exercise of our citizenship and in our social interactions.

Tell us more about your research and why you became interested in this specific field.

Broadly speaking, my research interest has always been the relationship between media and society. This has taken on a more specific focus on aspects such as media ethics, media and conflict, media and geopolitics, and most recently, disinformation studies. I explore questions such as 'What ethical values can we expect the media to uphold in a democracy?', 'How do political transitions and shifts impact on the role of the media?', 'How do we understand the diminishing trust in the media and the rise of disinformation 每 and what can be done about it?'.

How would you describe the relevance of your work?

It is hard to imagine any area of contemporary life that is not impacted or influenced by the media, or that interacts with the media in some way. I would hope my research would contribute to a better understanding of the media in our daily lives, in our democratic politics, in the exercise of our citizenship and in our social interactions. The ultimate aim of understanding these dynamics better is to suggest ways in which the relationship between media and society can be improved, and media users be empowered to engage more critically with the media so as to deepen their participation in democratic life.

The media have played a critical role in our democracy. How can it remain relevant and responsive to society?

The media faces many challenges, ranging from economic sustainability to political pressures, attacks on their credibility and the rise of what has been referred to as 'information disorder' 每 the increased levels of disinformation, online hate and weaponised falsehoods. The challenge for the media is to retain (or regain) the trust of audiences by acting ethically, being contextually responsive, listening to diverse voices and remaining committed to the truth despite these difficulties.

How can the media contribute to a better life in a world beset with so many challenges?

Fundamentally, the media's credibility, survival and social relevance will depend on its ethical commitment to the public good. This commitment can be summarised in basic principles such as truth-telling, treating people with dignity, and listening to people's stories in a way that helps undo the deep inequalities in our society and contributes to building relationships across differences and polarisations.

You are currently working on projects relating to disinformation, media and information integrity. Why are these so important?

There is widespread concern about the damage that disinformation, hate speech, falsehoods and attacks on information integrity can do to democratic societies. We are seeing the rise of populism globally which thrives on the undermining of trust in the media, the sowing of confusion and deepening social polarisation. By researching the underlying attitudes, perceptions and social dynamics which lead to these phenomena, and exploring the best ways in which such problems can be countered, we can hopefully contribute to a more robust, healthy and resilient information environment.

You have spent many years in the challenging environment of higher education. What keeps you motivated when things get tough?

I have always considered it an immense privilege to do what I do 每 yes, there are challenges, as with any job, but I am very grateful for having had such a rewarding and fulfilling academic career. It is such a joy to interact with students, hear their ideas, have one's assumptions challenged and contributing to their educational journey. My research has taken me to many interesting places, introduced me to wonderful colleagues around the world and stimulated my curiosity about the world. I honestly would not want to do anything else.

What aspects of your work do you enjoy the most?

Research is my first love, but I also enjoy teaching and supervision, as engagement with students always leads to interesting new discoveries, prompts me to ask new and different questions, and broadens my own horizons.

Tell us something exciting about yourself that people would not expect.

Students or younger colleagues are sometimes surprised to hear that I also struggle with 'imposter syndrome' from time to time! But that is probably to be expected 每 in fact, I think it's a good thing to not become too comfortable in one's own assumptions and to keep questioning what you think you know.

How do you spend your free time?

I like cooking, and because I like eating, I also like to exercise ＃ I used to run marathons, but middle age caught up with me and I now like mountain-biking, the occasional bodyboarding or going to the gym. I really enjoy hanging out with my teenage kids (Lukas, Daniel and Sophie) as they keep me up to date with the latest trends in pop culture, movies, social media and music 每 I have learnt a lot from them, and sometimes they even pretend to find my dad jokes funny.

• Photo by Ignus Dreyer (The Stellenbosch Centre for Photographic Services).

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????With Stellenbosch 肆客足球's (SU) focus on social impact awareness in July, this series of profiles celebrate remarkable individuals and teams who make a meaningful contribution beyond the 肆客足球's walls. The recent inaugural Social Impact Awards recognised academic and professional administrative support services (PASS) staff at SU who are driving positive change in diverse spheres of life. Vanessa Reyneke and the Handlab team won an award for the groundbreaking educational work they do for the Deaf community.

Imagine there was a place where Deaf learners and their teachers could go to find quality educational material in South African Sign Language (SASL) to improve the learning experience. Well, thanks to the dedicated team working at SU's Handlab, Deaf learners across South Africa can access vital learning and teaching support material (LTSM) tailored to their needs, a crucial resource given the scarcity of SASL educational materials prior to Handlab's establishment.

Project coordinator Vanessa Reyneke is super proud of the recognition Handlab has received for its work. The team, comprising both Deaf and hearing individuals, collaborates closely with schools for the Deaf. Initially piloted for the Western Cape Education Department between 2010 and 2012, the project aimed to develop a curriculum that catered specifically to Deaf learners.

※We've been working with so much passion and to receive the Social Impact Award is recognition that our fight for the Deaf community to have access to quality education material has been worth it. It's wonderful to be able to make a difference in the lives of so many Deaf children in South Africa," Reyneke says.

In 2017, the project found its home at the Department of General Linguistics at SU. The Language Centre is also involved with Handlab through its SASL interpreting portfolio. Handlab has flourished into one of only two units in the country creating innovative learning and teaching material for Deaf schools.

Over the years, the Handlab team has developed a range of educational materials, including videos, original texts and teaching resources and subject-specific terminology, all designed to align with the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS). Handlab's influence now extends beyond the Western Cape, reaching all 40 schools for the Deaf across South Africa.

Collaborating with schools is key to their success, Reyneke says. ※We first test the material in a class setup, and we get valuable feedback from the teachers. We also share it with the Department of Basic Education to make sure it meets the national standards. Our materials have improved significantly thanks to this collaborative process."

Reyneke stresses the project's success also lies in its adaptability, considering the dialectal differences within sign language. ※Just like spoken languages, sign language has regional variations. We aim to create materials that are inclusive of all these variants," she notes.

Becoming an advocate for the Deaf

Reyneke's passion for Deaf education is deeply personal. She is the fourth generation in her family who is Deaf and her two children are Deaf as well. She experienced firsthand the challenges faced by those who are often marginalised in educational settings. ※I attended a school for the Deaf and it was during my time there that I realised the significant gap in language access and education for Deaf children," Reyneke shares. ※I was very privileged because I was taught in my mother tongue by family members."

Her journey from a Deaf teaching assistant at her alma mater to the project coordinator of Handlab is marked by her resolve to ensure Deaf children receive the same quality of education as their hearing peers. ※I feel it's important to advocate for my language," she emphasises.

Reyneke explains that many Deaf children come from hearing families that do not communicate in sign language, leaving them at a disadvantage, especially in the early childhood development phase. Most teachers in schools for the Deaf are hearing and they're not required to have any form of specialised training or qualification in Deaf education. By providing tailored resources, Handlab aims to bridge this gap and elevate the educational experience of Deaf learners.

The Handlab team often gets compliments from teachers who are grateful for the extra help. The practical SASL examples enhance learners' creativity, comprehension skills and literacy, akin to the encouragement hearing children receive through reading. The materials open a new world for Deaf learners and there is a notable improvement in their vocabulary, enabling them to express their feelings and share their experiences more effectively.

The recent recognition of SASL as the 12th official language of South Africa marks a significant milestone for the Deaf community. Reyneke and her team at Handlab celebrated this achievement, reflecting on the advocacy that led to this momentous occasion. ※We were all jumping for joy," she recalls. ※It's a big step forward."

She says it's an opportunity for the almost 4 million Deaf people in South Africa (of whom 600 000 are SASL users) to properly access their human rights in a language they understand. That journey must begin in the classroom, Reyneke insists.

Empowering the Deaf

Because of insufficient educational support, many Deaf people remain deprived throughout their lives. Research has shown that in South Africa as few as one in three Deaf adults who use SASL is functionally literate in a spoken or written language (their second language).

In the year since SASL's official status was granted, Handlab has made remarkable strides. More than 100 of their new texts have been screened and approved by the Department of Basic Education. The Handlab team has created beautiful new stories and poems and started producing dramas to add to the SASL curriculum.

Reyneke's vision extends beyond curriculum development 每 she and her team are committed to fostering a sense of belonging and purpose among Deaf learners. ※The drama project is very exciting. We've had drama camps where we go to the schools and train the kids how to read a script and how to act out a play. We provide the children with skills to portray different characters and to perform dialogue. We then use the recordings as teaching material. We're making good progress towards reaching our aim to create more than 20 new SASL dramas this year.

※We also teach the kids technical skills. For example, if you want to record yourself at home signing a poem, we show them practical things like how to set up your recording space, making sure you've got the right background and lighting. We assist them in reading the text in English or Afrikaans and then conveying it in sign language."

Handlab has also addressed mental health awareness, partnering with notable role players like radio and TV personality Lise Swart. ※Mental health information is often inaccessible to Deaf people. We are working to change that by providing crucial resources in SASL," Reyneke remarks.

She's grateful for the steps SU has taken to become more accommodating to Deaf students, such as the two interpreters the 肆客足球 provide to support them in class. But access to higher education is still challenging for many of them, Reyneke points out. ※Deaf students who apply to South African universities must meet the same academic criteria as hearing students. This system makes no allowances for the many obstacles Deaf learners have to overcome and that they're often behind the rest of the students because of insufficient support and educational opportunities."

As Handlab continues to make an impact, Reyneke encourages others to join the movement for change. And she has a special message for Deaf children: ※Don't give up and never lose hope. Work hard, and you'll be able to achieve your dreams."

PHOTO: The Handlab team from left to right: Alex Nwayo, Dr Simone Conradie, Vanessa Reyneke, Lenka Knoetze and Prof Frenette Southwood. (Photo: Anesh Magan)

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??The long-term survival of humans depend on the health of the planet, and all institutions 每 including health professionals training schools 每 have a role to play in planetary health.

With this in mind, two students at Stellenbosch 肆客足球's (SU) Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Michelle Moloto and Mosibudi Matlatse, recently completed Planetary Health Report Cards (PHRC) on behalf of the MBChB and Physiotherapy programmes at SU.

Moloto is a fifth-year medical student and the Sustainability Manager for the Tygerberg Students Representative Council (TSRC), while Matlatse is a second-year physiotherapy student and a member of the Dean's Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (DACES).

Grading faculties' planetary health initiatives

The PHRC was developed in 2019 and is a global student-led initiative that enables health sciences students to ※grade" their faculty's inclusion of planetary health in their programmes. The grading teams, mentored by faculty members, complete the report card and identify opportunities for improvement. The results are published annually to track institutional change over time. To date, the PHRC evaluates more than 100 health professionals training schools in 15 countries.

The students were encouraged to do the PHRC by Professor Bob Mash from the Department of Family and Emergency Medicine. They started working on the report card in December last year and submitted the report at the end of March. It was published in April.

The report card looked at how the programmes scored in the areas of curriculum, interdisciplinary research, community outreach and advocacy, support for student-led initiatives, and campus sustainability. The students interviewed various faculty members from respective divisions and departments, filled out the questionnaires for each section, and gave scores based on the responses.

※It's a metric-based tool so there was a template with questions we could ask relevant staff members," said Moloto.

Programme scores

The MBChB and the Physiotherapy programmes both scored B for curricula. The university scored B-minus for Interdisciplinary Research; B-minus for Community Outreach and Advocacy, B for Support for Student-led Initiatives, and B-plus for Campus Sustainability.

Overall, the report found that SU integrates planetary health education into its curriculum in a comprehensive manner. It found the renewed MBChB curriculum effectively covers related content, ensuring early exposure for students and facilitating discussions on planetary health among peers and patients.

Among the report card's recommendations was for the university to consider incorporating elective courses to allow students to delve deeper into planetary health.

※This will also encourage critical thinking about the impact of environmental factors on health, preparing students to learn how to engage in addressing emerging health issues related to climate change and environmental degradation," Moloto and Matlatse note.

On Interdisciplinary research (B-), the report said the university offers various workshops focused on planetary health, to promote research and discussion in this field. However, these are not specifically tailored for students.

On Community Outreach and Advocacy (B-), the report found the FMHS currently has limited community outreach initiatives related to planetary health. ※To enhance its impact in this area, the faculty could consider expanding its partnerships with organisations focused on planetary health advocacy," they recommend.

On Support for Student-led initiatives (B), the report found SU, as a whole, supports student-led initiatives but stated that more work can be done to encourage students to take part in planetary health initiatives.

On Campus Sustainability (B+), the report said SU has done tremendous work and invested a lot of money to ensure campus sustainability.

Navigate environmental impact on health

Both students say they enjoyed the process of compiling the report card, adding that it's an important initiative. ※As future healthcare professionals we must be prepared to address the impact of human-caused, or manmade environmental changes on our patients' health," says Matlatse, adding that the report card was well received by the Division of Physiotherapy. ※An email has already gone out advising staff members on how to better integrate planetary health into the curriculum, so it's a work in progress."

Moloto said she believes SU is dedicated to fostering an environmentally conscious campus. ※This initiative highlights areas where we are excelling already but also help us identify opportunities for growth. By actively participating in this initiative, we've demonstrated our commitment to sustainability as an institution and will hopefully encourage others to follow suit."

Students taking ownership of planetary health

Mash hails the Planetary Health report card initiative. ※This is student-led, which is amazing. It's students saying that this is an important topic, and asking whether we are tackling it properly and interrogating whether their own training programmes are dealing with the issue adequately. The whole climate change and planetary health movement has been led by young people.

※It's a global initiative so one can compare how one is doing as a university or a programme within your university with the same programme at other universities in the same country, region or globally and get a sense of how you're doing relative to peers. Also, it generates some very practical recommendations for what is missing in the course." 

Photo caption: Mosibudi Matlatse? and Michelle Moloto.?

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With Stellenbosch 肆客足球's (SU) focus on social impact awareness in July, this series of profiles celebrate remarkable individuals and teams who make a meaningful contribution beyond the 肆客足球's walls. The recent inaugural Social Impact Awards recognised academic and professional administrative support services (PASS) staff at SU who are driving positive change in diverse spheres of life. Adolph Neethling, a lecturer in the Department of Business Management, received a Social Impact Award with his colleague Sabrina Matthee for the Young Entrepreneurship Programme.

For over a decade, Neethling has been on a mission to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs. Through his leadership of the Young Entrepreneurship Programme (YEP) at SU, high school learners from disadvantaged communities in and around Stellenbosch have been given skills and confidence to transform their ideas into businesses.

YEP started as a collaborative effort between SU and the HU 肆客足球 of Applied Sciences Utrecht in the Netherlands, Neethling explains. ※A colleague from the Netherlands approached me with the idea of running an entrepreneurship programme for school kids. We managed to secure funding from the Dutch embassy, which allowed us to kickstart the project," he says. The programme began in 2018 with modest resources, but the impact has been profound.

YEP's primary aim is to empower high school learners by teaching them entrepreneurial skills and encouraging them to develop ideas that can benefit their communities. It recognises the unique challenges faced by learners in disadvantaged areas and offers a pathway to economic independence.

During the week-long YEP workshop held over the June/July school holidays, learners from Kayamandi, Makapula, L邦ckhoff, Stellenzicht, and Cloetesville High Schools develop start-up ideas and business plans in teams. The programme typically targets Grade 10 learners, as their schedules are more flexible compared to matriculants.

The 60 odd learners are grouped and paired with mentors ?每 students from SU and the Netherlands. Together, they brainstorm business ideas and refine them. On the final day, the learners pitch their concepts to a panel of judges. The winning ideas receive start-up capital sponsored by the Dutch Embassy to bring their plans to life.

Bringing ideas to life

The ideas generated by the learners are innovative and rooted in their communities' needs, Neethling explains. For instance, last year learners from Makapula High School proposed a project to address the shortage of school desks.

※The learners noted that there were not enough desks in the school, but there was a shed full of broken desks," Neethling says. ※Instead of waiting for the Department of Education to address the issue, they came up with the idea to get some carpentry support and to fix the desks and benches themselves under the guidance of the school's caretaker who has carpentry skills. One of our SU students who acts as a tutor for the group managed to get a drill sponsored. From the group's prize money, they could buy wood and other tools to fix the desks."

Last year, L邦ckhoff High School students came up with a proposal for a project involving residents at an old age home to help knit scarves and woollen caps for learners. In schools where children struggle to stay warm in winter months, the scarves and beanies would be sold at a discount price while the community members who produced the items would also be able to generate an extra income.

A group from Stellenzicht High School proposed a project where matriculants would get additional academic support through extramural tutoring with support from the school's alumni. In previous years winning projects included a vegetable gardening initiative; a breakfast service at the school for parents on their way to work in the mornings; an idea to make wrist bands with name tags from recycled plastic to help track kids if they get lost; and eco-friendly solutions to South Africa's loadshedding woes such as solar-powered lights made from recycled glass bottles.

Impact beyond the classroom

These projects not only offer practical solutions but also foster a sense of agency and confidence among the learners, Neethling notes. ※It's been a very exciting journey. It's so rewarding for youngsters to see their ideas materialise and that something good is generated from learning new skills.

※Initially, some of the learners are quite shy and sometimes there's a language barrier. But as they come to understand what is expected of them and the impact their ideas could have, they become more confident. By the end of the week, they're bubbly and brimming with enthusiasm. For many of the learners' it's the first time that they visit the 肆客足球 campus and have positive exposure of engaging with students."

Neethling also emphasises the positive impact on the students. ※The students' participation in the project is voluntary. Before the workshop, we take the local and foreign students on a township tour to speak to small business owners and learn from people who make a living regardless of their circumstances. They get exposure to real-life challenges, and they get introduced to communities they might not have been exposed to before, so it's an enlightening experience for everyone involved."

Many learners come from backgrounds where unemployment is high, and they don't see the point of studying, Neethling observes. ※Teachers often tell us that learners don't feel the need to excel academically as they don't see a future for themselves because of the high number of unemployed people in their community. This project makes them see that there is an alternative way to create opportunities for themselves."

The impact is tangible. Teachers have reported increased motivation and a newfound sense of purpose among their students.

Neethling's passion for entrepreneurship education stems from his extensive experience in the small, medium and micro enterprises environment, both as an entrepreneur and an academic. He first came across the idea of ※service learning" when he was a lecturer at the 肆客足球 of the Free State before he joined SU in 2006. ※Service learning is an educational approach where students learn through volunteering and engage in reflection activities to deepen understanding. The principle is that while you're doing community work, you don't prescribe. Instead of telling people what to do, you ask how you can assist them."

Over the years, Neethling has been involved in several projects to promote entrepreneurship through service learning. In 2009 he won a Rector's Award for his exceptional contribution to community work at SU.

Running a programme like YEP is not without challenges. Securing funding for food and transport for the learners is a constant struggle. Neethling recounts how they have managed to secure sponsorships from local businesses like Food Lovers Market to provide meals for the learners. Transport logistics, especially for learners from remote areas, require meticulous planning and additional resources.

Support and recognition

Last year Neethling received welcome support when his colleague Sabrina Matthee came on board to assist him with running YEP. Matthee teaches Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management at SU and is also passionate about instilling a sense of pride in budding entrepreneurs. It's a thrill to show young people that instead of focusing on becoming an employee, you can become an employer who creates jobs and address critical problems in the community, Matthee says.

Receiving recognition for their hard work with a Social Impact Award was a proud moment for both lecturers. ※It's nice to get recognition, but we don't do it for the accolades. We do it because we want to make a difference," Neethling stresses. He appreciates SU's efforts to reward staff for social impact projects. ※While some academics only focus on academic research, those of us who spent a lot of time and energy on community work also feel recognised."

Neethling says the best part of the Social Impact Awards evening was witnessing the broad scope of community projects on the SU campus. ※It was fantastic to meet like-minded colleagues and to see how much is happening at SU. In future, we hope to collaborate and find ways to share our expertise and resources."

PHOTO: Prof Nico Koopman (Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel), Sabrina Matthee, Adolph Neethling and Dr Leslie van Rooi (Senior Director: Social Impact & Transformation) at the Social Impact Awards. (Photo taken by Stefan Els)

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??Students from Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) will soon be able to test their data science mettle in solving real-world problems at a flagship hackathon hosted by the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking ?in partnership with the Standard Bank Lab.

The theme of the competition, which includes prize money and an opportunity to present to the Standard Bank team, is ※Patch Perfect: Using AI to fix roads".  The Standard Bank Lab Hackathon, runs from 8每18 August 2024 and undergraduate and postgraduate SU students have until 16:00 on 8 August to register to take part.

In an era where data drives decision-making and computational power underpins innovation, a strategic partnership between The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited (Standard Bank) and the Standard Bank Lab at SU's School for Data Science and Computational Thinking epitomises forward-thinking collaboration, says John Mukomberenwa, of Standard Bank's Corporate and Investment Banking division (CIB).

This unique alliance unifies the financial prowess and industry expertise of one of Africa's largest banks with the innovative research and educational excellence of a premier institution for data science and computational intelligence both on the continent and globally.

Prof Kanshukan Rajaratnam, Director: School for Data Science and Computational Thinking at SU, says this was one of the first industry partnerships for the School. ※It has grown from strength to strength with various activities taking place in the fintech space. Standard Bank Lab's activities such as the annual hackathon is in the fabric of the School's activities. We are grateful for this partnership that has grown over the years."

Not merely pushing the boundaries of data science and computational intelligence, this partnership sets the stage for transformative advancements that promise to reshape the financial landscape. It is poised to equip the next generation of data scientists and computational thinkers with the skills and insights necessary to navigate and influence an increasingly data-driven world, says Sunday Oladejo, the lead at the Standard Bank Lab, by fostering an environment of shared knowledge, innovative research, and practical application.

The Standard Bank Lab is a hub of innovation and collaboration, actively engaging in a variety of activities that bridge the gap between academia and industry application. One of its flagship initiatives is the organisation of data science hackathons, which attract participants from multiple faculties and disciplines. These serve as a vibrant platform for students and researchers to use cutting-edge data science techniques, foster a spirit of interdisciplinary cooperation and develop creative problem-solving.

In addition to these hackathons, the Standard Bank Lab regularly hosts seminars and career talks that delve into the interplay between artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and the financial industry. These events bring together leading experts, industry professionals, and students to discuss the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and ML. Through these engagements, participants gain valuable insights into how these technologies are reshaping the financial sector, the new opportunities arising therefrom and what skills are necessary to thrive in this dynamic environment.

Furthermore, the Standard Bank Lab is at the forefront of developing paradigm-changing frameworks for the application of AI and ML in finance, says Oladejo. This includes pioneering work in data ethics, ensuring that the development and deployment of these technologies adheres to the highest standards of fairness, transparency, and accountability. By contributing to the formulation of ethical guidelines and best practices, the Standard Bank Lab is playing a crucial role in shaping a responsible and sustainable future for the financial industry. These two entities collaborate in developing data-driven financial products that incorporate AI/ML technologies.

Through these multifaceted activities, the Standard Bank Lab not only advances the field of data science but also equips the next generation of leaders with the knowledge and skills to drive innovation and ethical practices in the financial world. In recent years, the Standard Bank Lab has facilitated master's and doctoral degree programs, empowering aspiring scholars to pursue advanced studies and contribute to groundbreaking research in the field of data science.

Oladejo adds: ※I bridge the gap between Standard Bank and the School, combining industry insights with academic research. This partnership facilitates the seamless exchange of knowledge and expertise, enriching both entities. Standard Bank benefits from the Standard Bank Lab's latest research and innovative methodologies, driving technological advancements. Joint initiatives like hackathons and research projects foster creativity and problem-solving, addressing industry challenges. By funding advanced studies, the Standard Bank Lab develops skilled data scientists, ensuring a steady pipeline of talent for the financial industry."

Says John Mukomberenwa: ※As the head of AI innovation, and sponsor of the Standard Bank Lab, we have witnessed immense value from our partnership with the School. The School has acted as a great conduit for collaboration with other faculties, emerging fintechs as well as joint events with our own clients. The School has enabled us to constantly challenge our thinking to technical problems, contribute towards data science for good and expand to opportunities beyond the realm of financial services."

Some of the major highlights of the collaboration are the joint market webinar talks, data science training and hackathons. ※We have recently been recognised in the innovation category for the '2024 Best B2B recommendation engine' and the School has played an active role in supporting us through this journey," concludes Mukomberenwa.

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??Student by day, and CEO, and startup founder on the side 每 Alexandra Lutz, who is currently in her first year of a data science degree at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU), started the online learning platform Milani Education? while she was still in high school.

Now comprising three directors and a content manager, Milani Education has been named as one of seven startups from SU that will compete in the regional round of the EDHE (Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education) Entrepreneurship Intervarsity 2024 competition taking place from 26 August. This competition highlights top student entrepreneurs from 26 public universities around the country.

Milani Education also recently partnered with the Pebbles Project in Stellenbosch to help children from surrounding farming communities access educational resources. They will be able to access the Milani platform from devices at Pebbles' learning centres so that they can use the free online material for homework and revision.

The nonprofit organisation was launched in 2020 during the pandemic when Lutz was a Grade 9 learner at St. John's Diocesan School for Girls (D.S.G.) in Pietermaritzburg. She realised that while most of her peers were able to transition seamlessly to digital learning when schools were forced to close, there were many students who did not have the same access to online materials. With the permission of her headmaster, Lutz started sharing digital materials such as worksheets and videos with a few learners from the Imbeleko Foundation, based in the rural KwaZulu-Natal community of KwaNyuswa.

Initially, Lutz worked with three learners 每 twins who were also in Grade 9 and a Grade 8. ※These three learners were extremely eager to learn and had lost nearly a month of learning time when I first made contact." Lutz says her team sent out surveys every week to assess their online learning experience and the feedback was encouragingly positive. ※This inspired us to continue with the initiative and work towards creating the platform." The company's name, which means 'to grow' in isiZulu, was suggested by the assistant chaplain at St John's D.S.G. Lutz thought it fitting as ※education leads to exponential growth for a person both mentally as well as professionally".

After three years of ※pilot project" work, Lutz secured seed funding to develop a prototype for an online platform and in 2023 Milani Education was launched with content sourced the year before while Lutz was still in Grade 11. In preparation, Lutz connected with schools such as Maritzburg College, St John's D.S.G. and SIMI Math, to secure online maths content and in the December holidays, a group of Grade 11 learners from St John's DSG formed the ※Milani army" to have it edited and uploaded in time for the launch. 

Former classmate Sienna Porrill, who was part of the genesis of Milani Education when with Lutz in high school, is still involved in the project. She was part of the team of volunteers also from SU helping learners set up their profiles on the Milani platform this weekend. ※Alex has always been an inspiration. While we were passing time (in high school) during lockdown doing puzzles, she was finding ways to start an online learning platform."

Milani Education is a free online learning platform that provides educational content from the current curriculum for learners in grades 8 to 12 across South Africa. The content is donated to the startup from reputable schools, at no cost. Currently, it serves about 800 learners who have access to more than 1 000 videos that they can use as a supplementary education tool. The easy-to-use Milani Education website offers Mathematics, English Home Language and English First Additional Language (FAL). Lutz adds that they are moderating content for Mathematical Literacy which should be launched soon.

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Expansion plans

Once the team expands, and secures further funding, Milani Education will offer more of the main school subjects, says Lutz. Milani plans to broaden its network of partner schools to make more teachers available online to students. The team also wants to translate the content to Afrikaans, isiZulu and isiXhosa, and to optimise the platform for data efficiency.

Lutz also has her sights set on starting a learning centre for the Embo community in KwaZulu-Natal. ※We want to bridge the educational divide in our country by providing a safe place for students to learn regardless of the geographic setting or social status. Our vision is to democratise education so that all students have access to a world-class education right in the palm of their hands," notes Alexandra. 

Balancing act

Lutz admits that staying motivated has been a challenge for herself and the team. ※As a young entrepreneur in the non-profit space, I have been faced with many rejections and had lots of moments where it feels as if we are not making any progress." But Lutz describes herself as someone who is ※stubbornly determined" and she refuses to accept 'no' for an answer. 

Balancing work with her studies means that Lutz must manage her time wisely. She says she ※compartmentalises" her day to be available for both. She says the team, which now comprises a board of three directors and a content manager, is solution-driven and not afraid to navigate hurdles.

Milani Education's selection for the regionals of the EDHE competition will give the team an opportunity to network with fellow young entrepreneurs, says Lutz. ※Being able to pitch our initiatives in the regional round allows us to share our vision and initiative with a diverse pool of people and hopefully make some great connections."

Lutz has no intention of easing up on her entrepreneurial pursuits once she graduates. She hopes to be able to hand over the daily running of Milani Education to a team so that she can pursue other ventures in the startup space. ※But Milani will always be my baby."

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Learners from Stellenbosch logging onto the Milani Education platform so that they can access free supplementary learning materials

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Learners from Khabazela High School are getting to grips with online learning at the City Hill Embo Milani learning centre in KwaZulu-Natal.

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Milani CEO Alexandra Lutz shares more information about the new partnership with the Pebbles Project in Stellenbosch

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This article was first published in The Conversation. Read the original article here.

South Africa's healthcare system suffers from widespread problems in its governance. A number of indicators point to this dysfunction. These include the large number of managers in acting positions, frequent changes in senior leadership, worse health outcomes than similarly resourced countries, and overall deterioration of morale and trust in the public health system.

These indicators confirm that there are system-wide failures. And that much needs to be done to improve governance of the South African health system.

The findings were made by a panel appointed by the Academy of Science of South Africa. The seven-member panel was made up of a multidisciplinary group of South African public health and health systems researchers, academics and practitioners.

The findings underline that poor governance results from many interrelated factors. And that the country's complex health system is still influenced by its historical context of colonisation, exclusion, fragmentation and inequity.

That said, there are examples of good service and health workers committed to their jobs and to providing good, even excellent care. These ※pockets of excellence" can be found across the country and at all levels in the health system. Drawing from these pockets of excellence, we are able to make recommendations about how to improve South Africa's health system.

We have sought to make recommendations which are clear, informed by evidence, respond to the governance challenges that have been identified and are feasible to implement. Doing nothing may in the long term prove more costly. It will also, among other things, create greater inequality in health in South Africa.

The panel recommends eight steps 每 in no particular order 每 to address key governance issues.

The eight steps needed

1. Define and communicate a clear public value mission and the mandate for each level of the health service and each governance actor.

The National Department of Health has a critical stewardship role to play for the entire health system. It must engage all governance actors in the public value mission of achieving Universal Health Coverage and communicate and institutionalise its goals throughout the health system. This means engaging all sectors, partners and stakeholders in working towards that vision.

The department must set the terms of engagement, create governance arrangements to improve health outcomes, and improve institutional arrangements for accountability within the public and private sectors. Statutory and external regulatory bodies in the health sector, ombud structures and oversight boards should be prioritised.

Staff performance across the health system should be defined by what needs to be achieved rather than simply activities that staff should do. Incentives should promote behaviours and action that will realise the public service mission.

2. Update legislation and governance structures to insulate them from vested interests and give them executive rather than merely advisory functions.

Accountability structures need to be made effective through the following:

• Amend conflicts within legislation that weaken or undermine the delegation of governance roles and accountability.
• Implement the recommendations of the Competition Commission's Health Market Inquiry on private sector regulation. The inquiry found that the South African private healthcare market is characterised by high and rising costs of healthcare and medical scheme cover, significant overutilisation, and an absence of demonstrable associated improvements in health outcomes.
• Institutionalise a public value mission in the goals of all health institutions, levels, and sectors which align with and support a national public value mission for the health system.
• Establish arrangements to ensure the focus on the public value mission. For example, set up more than one supervisory entity in a given setting, including an external regulator, ombud, or independent board.
• Create effective accountability structures to prevent capture from above (politicians or senior managers) and from below (stakeholders' groups, professional groups, trade unions).
• Boards (for example, of statutory bodies) must be structured to ensure separation of entities responsible for nomination and appointing, and removing members. Removal should require a decision by more than one party.
• To govern, boards (for example, of hospitals) and committees must have appropriate decision-making powers for the structure, rather than being limited to an advisory role.

3. Delegate authority appropriately to each level and within levels of the health system.

Each actor must have the authority required to carry out and take responsibility for their work. If the right people were in place, it would be possible to delegate without (or with less) risk. Oversight structures at each level that are insulated from vested interests would generate confidence that each level was operating within its mandate and to standard. Examples include boards and community groups that measure health outcomes or processes.

The design of the proposed National Health Insurance  potentially poses substantial risks to decentralisation by shifting many health service functions to the national level. Attention should be paid to clarify roles and responsibilities of various players when it comes to the NHI fund.

Lack of trust in the managing of the fund can be dealt with by making it independent of the Department of Health with appropriate independent oversight structures.

4. Get the right people 每 ethical people with the appropriate competencies 每 into leadership and management positions within the health system.

To achieve this, merit (demonstrating competencies appropriate to the post) must be the primary basis for appointment. Processes, including the criteria for appointments, must be transparent and open to public scrutiny.

5. Surround managers and leaders with functional, fit-for-purpose systems so that they can do their work.

This includes human resources, procurement and health information systems.

Procurement is a function governed by too many, sometimes contradictory rules. Simplification of the rules and greater delegation to facility and district or sub-district managers is required.

Overly complex procurement systems are inhibiting decentralisation, as the complexity of existing rules makes it difficult for decentralised managers. This does not mean that every facility should be issuing its own medicine tenders. But there is no reason why strong sub-district offices or larger facilities should not be ordering supplies off transversal tenders without multiple layers of high-level signoff.

Primary care facilities should be able to get simple maintenance problems fixed without waiting months or years for higher level or Public Works Department approval. This lack of delegated powers together with overly complex rules on budgets and procurement is crippling the effective functioning of many community facilities.

The reforms needed on procurement include:

• delegation of procurement powers to facility managers;
• e-procurement systems, electronic catalogues with improved price benchmarking, electronic stock management systems, barcoding, and faster simplified electronic ordering systems;
• inclusion of medical supplies and equipment in transversal tenders to achieve economies of scale.

6. Support managers at every level with the resources, understanding and ability to build teams and attend to the relationships that make complex systems work.

Systems of accountability need to be strengthened. However, they must also allow for innovation and learning from mistakes, supporting mentorship and training.

Resources across the country in both the public and private sectors must be harnessed to improve management capacity. Partnerships with research and academic institutions have demonstrated success in the past. The department of health should consider identifying districts to be supported by relevant university departments to strengthen their management capacity and approach.

7. Harness the potential of community participation in an authentic way to ensure appropriate, respectful and responsive health services and to monitor health service outcomes and processes.

For community governance structures, clear steps are needed to strengthen clinic committees, hospital boards and other entities.

8. Act on dereliction of duty and acts of corruption and protect whistle-blowers.

To be effective, governance must be understood to be a distributed function that has to operate at all levels. Role clarification and delegation of authority will promote distributed governance.

The public sector's human resources system in its current form does not advance accountability, as it does not sufficiently distinguish good from poor performance. Decisions such as promotion, continued employment or incentives must be linked to objective assessment based on performance data. Health managers in particular need clearer alignment between HR performance assessment and consequence management.

Managers need to be empowered to act against dereliction of duty. Insufficient consequence management will encourage corruption and incompetent performance.

Managers who do not act against dereliction of duty must be held to account. Delegation and greater local control over HR processes will make this easier.

Action against corruption also requires intervention beyond the health system along with improved functioning by state investigative and related authorities.

Implementation

These recommendations may not be simple to implement. But failure to grasp these opportunities will render Universal Health Coverage even more unlikely and, instead, lead to the situation in which quality healthcare becomes available to only a minority of South Africans.

The panel believes that these recommendations balance the centralisation-decentralisation tension that is present in all health systems. The recent signing of the National Health Insurance Act emphasises the risks of implementing a national health insurance system within the current context of weak governance in both the private and public sectors.

• This is an edited extract from the report, Achieving Good Governance and Management in the South African Health System, published by the Academy of Science of South Africa. Dr Mark Bletcher, chief director, health and social, at National Treasury, was also a member of the panel.

肆客足球 the authors

• Lilian Dudley - Emeritus Associate Professor Health Systems Research, Stellenbosch 肆客足球
• Catherine Mathews - Chief Specialist Scientist, South African Medical Research Council
• Flavia Senkubuge - Deputy Dean: Health Stakeholder Relations in the Faculty of Health Sciences, 肆客足球 of Pretoria
• Guinevere Lourens - Research Fellow at Ukwanda Centre for Rural Health, Stellenbosch 肆客足球
• Leslie London - Head of the Division of Public Health Medicine in the School of Public Health and Family Medicine, 肆客足球 of Cape Town
• Sharon Fonn - Professor, School of Public Health, 肆客足球 of Gothenburg Sweden, 肆客足球 of the Witwatersrand
  

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Photo credit: Freepik

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?African Anti-Corruption Day is celebrated annually on 11 July. In an opinion piece for the Daily Maverick, Profs Chris Jones (Unit for Moral Leadership) and Pregala Pillay (School of Public Leadership / Anti-Corruption Centre for Education and Research of Stellenbosch 肆客足球 每 ACCERUS) write that this day is an opportunity for us to celebrate whistleblowers who often risk life and limb to free society of corruption.

• Read the original article below or click here for the piece as published.

Chris Jones & Pregala Pillay*

Celebrated annually on 11 July, African Anti-Corruption Day is an opportunity for us to reflect on how corruption hampers efforts to lift millions of Africans out of poverty, provide food, education, jobs and basic services to many across the continent. On this day, we also celebrate those anti-corruption fighters who often risk life and limb to free society of this scourge.

One group that deserves a special mention is whistleblowers. It is, therefore, fitting that this year's theme ※Effective Whistleblowers Protection Mechanism: A Critical Tool in the Fight Against Corruption" recognises the role of whistleblowers.

In this article, we focus on the importance of whistleblowing, the lack of proper protection of whistleblowers, and coupled with this, the need for a ※new Chapter 9 institution with preventative, investigative, prosecutorial and educative powers to properly combat corruption wherever and whenever it occurs".

Accountable and ethical society

Contemporary societies, as we all know very well, are often confronted by public sector corruption and bad governance that necessitate effective whistleblowing mechanisms. It is against this background that the whistleblowing phenomenon is gaining an increased momentum in anti-corruption circles, not only in Africa, but across the world.

Closer to home, the challenges of state capture and COVID-19 corruption signified an increased recognition of the roles of whistleblowers as agents of reducing corruption, maladministration and bad governance in the public and private sectors.

Whistleblowers, in short, include individuals who report wrongdoing, corruption and ethical violations that are committed against the public by those occupying the positions of power in the government and/or private spheres. Accordingly, when experiencing degenerative conduct, the public sector employees and others may respond broadly in three different ways:

• Exit: this is the common response to dissatisfaction within an organisational setting. For instance, vacating a position by resignation or transfer.
• Raise concern: expressing concern or grievance about an unfair and unacceptable situation. It is a common way to address a dysfunctional system that allows the organisation to seek corrective measures in order to heal itself. This act is synonymous with the practice of whistleblowing. Former public protector Thuli Madonsela, who is now the Chair in Social Justice and Law Professor at Stellenbosch 肆客足球, recently used the word ※graft-blocker" at the Gender and Corruption Symposium held at the Stellenbosch Business School. A graft-blocker, according to her, is even more effective than a whistleblower, because ※nothing can move until you are removed".
• Loyalty: in this situation, individuals may resort into complete or partial compliance with unacceptable behaviour in the organisation.

A key challenge affecting the fight against corruption is citizens' fear of blowing the whistle because of the ineffective legal protection in South Africa. The case of Babita Deokaran, former acting chief financial officer at the Gauteng Department of Health, highlights the limitations in the protection available to employees who ※blow the whistle" in South Africa. According to Madonsela, Deokaran was a very good example of a ※graft-blocker".

In other parts of the African continent, the treatment of whistleblowers also indicates the lack of their protection, grey areas and serious gaps in legislative and policy frameworks. In the words of whistleblower Edward Snowden: ※the public needs to know the kinds of things a government does in its name, or the 'consent of the governed' is meaningless＃The consent of the governed is not a consent if it is not informed".

Where do we go from here?

In 1967, Martin Luther King Jr wrote a book with the title Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? The subtitle is quite appropriate. Advocate Paul Hoffman, director of Accountability Now, used this trendy phrase as the title of a chapter in Under the Swinging Arch. In order to create and promote an accountable and ethical society, we need to tackle the culture of entitlement, according to Hoffman. The Kenyans call it the ※our turn to eat" syndrome. He says the ※impunity of those clearly behaving corruptly is colluding to bring our [continent] to grief".

South Africa's Constitutional Court, as long ago as March 2011, warned: ※[t]here can be no gainsaying that corruption threatens to fell at the knees virtually everything we hold dear and precious in our hard-won constitutional order. It blatantly undermines the democratic ethos, the institutions of democracy, the rule of law and the foundational values of our nascent constitutional project. It fuels maladministration and public fraudulence and imperils the capacity of the state to fulfil its obligations to respect, protect, promote and fulfil all the rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights. When corruption and organised crime flourish, sustainable development and economic growth are stunted. And in turn, the stability and security of society is put at risk".

The late Archbishop Desmond Tutu summed up our situation best: ※[today] our world faces unprecedented levels of immorality, inequity, intolerance, insecurity, prejudice, greed, corruption 每 and impunity. Righteous people are asking: What do we do to turn back the tide of hatred, corruption and destruction? To whom do we turn for peace and security, for morality, and environmental and social sustainability?"

Many states in Africa won't correct themselves. Targeted intervention is needed. Citizens must take charge of their destiny. We agree with Hoffman that more than an internal integrity committee of the ANC is required to address corruption effectively.

The Hawks and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) have failed the country on state capture prosecutions and convictions. According to Corruption Watch, they ※operate far below their capacity and consequently are failing in their duties to uphold the law".

We want to support Hoffman when he reasons that a ※constitutional Integrity Commission ＃ with the public auditing functions of the Auditor-General and the investigations of public maladministration by the Public Protector ＃ could be a winning formula if the political will to pass laws necessary can be mustered".

Let us not fool ourselves 〞 corruption in the public sector is theft from the poor. Money needed to, among other things, address poverty, inequality and unemployment, fills the pockets of those involved in corrupt activities. And, to add insult to injury, they flaunt their ill-gotten gains and spit in the face of the poor.

When we can succeed in effectively protecting whistleblowers, and if we can create an Integrity Commission to prevent, combat, investigate and prosecute serious corruption, we as a nation will be enabled to take the high road to the future.

On African Anti-Corruption Day and beyond, we must realise anew that we all have a role to play to make our communities and countries a better place. On this day, we also honour those around the world who paid with their lives by blowing the whistle. They influenced change for the good in our world.

*Prof Chris Jones heads the Unit for Moral Leadership in the Faculty of Theology at Stellenbosch 肆客足球. Prof Pregala Pillay is a Professor in the School of Public Leadership and Director of the Anti-Corruption Centre for Education and Research of Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (ACCERUS).?

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?Nelson Mandela International Day is celebrated annually on 18 July. In opinion pieces for the media, Profs Nico Koopman (Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Social Impact, Transformation and Personnel) and Chris Jones (Unit for Moral Leadership) write that we can honour Madiba by jointly continuing his courageous journey to eradicate poverty, injustice and inequality. Click on the links below to read the articles.

• Prof Nico Koopman (Cape Times)
• Prof Chris Jones (News24)
  

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With Stellenbosch 肆客足球's (SU) focus on social impact awareness in July, this series of profiles celebrate remarkable individuals and teams who make a meaningful contribution beyond the 肆客足球's walls. The recent inaugural Social Impact Awards recognised academic and professional administrative support services (PASS) staff at SU who are driving positive change in diverse spheres of life. Janine Myburgh, senior administrative officer at the Department of Civil Engineering, was one of the winners in the Team Leader category of the Social Impact Awards.

When Myburgh received a Social Impact Award for her outstanding contribution to promoting and preserving the culture and heritage of Pni?l, she spoke movingly about her love for her community. ※Everything I do is out of passion for my community and because I love people," she remarked.

Last year Myburgh received the prestigious Phenomenal Woman in Management Award from the Cape Winelands District Municipality for her commitment to the Pni?l Heritage and Cultural Trust. She also received an honorary award from the e'Bosch Heritage Project for her contribution to preserving the culture and heritage of Pniel.

The purpose of the Trust is to protect, develop and promote the cultural and historical heritage of Pni?l and to build bridges between the communities of the Dwarsriver Valley, Myburgh explains. ※The Trust is the only body of its kind in the valley. Beyond heritage initiatives, the Trust also organises cultural events such as the Adam Small Literary Festival and the Annual Chrysanthemum Show in May. We also manage an art school for primary school pupils, a writing school for primary and high school learners, and a writing school for adults in collaboration with the ATKV."

With deep family roots in Pni?l, Myburgh embodies the resilience, faith and community spirit of the close-knit village she grew up in. She's always been passionate about celebrating the cultural heritage of the 4 000 strong community nestled at the foot of Simonsberg.

※I was born and bred and got married in Pni?l," she says proudly. ※Both my parents were from families who were descendants of slaves. After slavery was abolished in 1834, two farmers gave the freed slaves a piece of land to establish a missionary settlement."

Pni?l was formally established in 1843 by the Apostolic Union, a non-denominational protestant group. After more than a century of self-governance, the village now forms part of the Stellenbosch Municipality, 10 km away.

Childhood memories

Myburgh's father died when she was still a toddler and her brother only three months old. ※I was raised by a single mom, but the community basically helped raise us and supported my mom through thick and thin. Back then everybody knew everybody, that's the best part of growing up in a village. Since Pni?l used to be a mission station, there is only one church. When a child gets baptised, the whole community stands up and say we're going to help raise the child. We take the responsibility very seriously, although some kids don't like it!" she laughs.

It's happy childhood memories of walking along oak-lined avenues and through people's houses to the orchards and past historical buildings that inspired her to preserve the village's unique character, Myburgh says. She's always been involved in community initiatives and over the past few years, her leadership responsibilities evolved naturally. She was nominated by the church to serve on the Pni?l Heritage and Cultural Trust and was elected Chairperson in 2019. She also served the community as a ward committee member for a few years.

※Some neighbours think I'm still the ward committee member. They'll message me and ask why is there no water or why is the power off? At first, I would tell them, listen, I'm not on the committee anymore. But now I just find out and let them know. I like to know what's going on."

Myburgh was instrumental in helping to establish a museum dedicated to the history of Pni?l after the old church manse was moved to a new building in 2010. ※We contacted Dr Matilda Burden at the SU who helped us to furnish the museum and gather information. Some of her students assisted with research. A former Rector and Vice-Chancellor of SU, Prof Andreas van Wyk, was also a great help to get things off the ground." The Pni?l Museum opened in 2012 and now boasts professionally laid out photos, stories and artefacts that transport visitors back in time.

Beyond her fascination with history, a course in advancing engaged citizenship Myburgh completed at SU also deepened her thinking about what kind of difference she wants to make in her community. Engaged citizenship aligns perfectly with her own ethos. ※You have to be engaged with your environment and make the most with what you have. If I sweep in front of my house and it's clean and everybody does so, all of us benefit. Pni?l's people are very proud, but also humble. We're very self-reliant."

Qualified radiographer

Although she initially trained as a radiographer, Myburgh's career in the medical field was short-lived. ※I started working at Tygerberg Hospital and later moved to a hospital in Paarl, but when I became pregnant, I had to stop working as a radiographer because of the radiation risk. Unfortunately, there wasn't an administrative position available at the hospital. After the birth of our third child, I got bored being a fulltime housewife. When an administrative position opened in 1997 at SU's civil engineering that allowed me to work flexi-hours, it was a perfect fit."

In 1999, she was appointed at SU as secretary for TRAC SA, and in 2003, she received a permanent appointment within the Department of Civil Engineering. She currently manages the postgraduate short courses offered by the department. Working with students and witnessing the transformation at SU over the past two decades, has been a privilege and pleasure, Myburgh says.

Having a supportive work environment and an encouraging family enables her to make meaningful social impact. She likes to be busy and often works until midnight. Most of her weekends are filled with community work. ※I believe in the saying that when you need to get something done, give it to someone who is busy. I'm fortunate that my husband William is retired and able to do most of the housework when I'm busy. He does the washing, and we all take turns cooking. We're close to our two sons, daughter and son in law and grandchild. We're quite a social family."

Myburgh talks enthusiastically about the events that are still planned for the rest of the year in Pni?l. ※There's always a Heritage Day celebration in September, and on every 1 December, we commemorate freedom from slavery on Die Werf next to the museum where you'll find the slave monuments. This year is quite a milestone, because it's 190 years since the slaves in the Cape were freed. We have a full programme on Die Werf and will lay wreaths and ring the original slave bell at exactly 12:00."

A big priority is obtaining funding to appoint a full-time manager and staff for the Pni?l Museum, Myburgh says. Because of limited funds the museum is only open to visitors four days a week. The Trust is constantly looking for funding to support their projects. Currently they're looking for ways to provide a local entrepreneur with the opportunity to run a tea garden at the museum.

In the long-term, Myburgh is keen to trace and document the history of the slaves and their descendants, a project which SU is supporting the Pniel community with. ※Prof Johan Fourie at SU's Economics Department is doing research into the effects of slavery on the economic history of South Africa. The research has opened access to records that have not been available before. Progress is slow, because slaves' names often were changed, and people didn't always keep records. I hope that this partnership will grow and assist us in tracing our slave ancestry and that other institutions will also come on board."

An aunt of Myburgh who recently died aged 102 highlighted the need for recording the stories of the older Pni?l residents before it's too late. ※The slave history is not yet complete. There's so much research we still want to do. My auntie started working when she was a 13-year-old girl. There are many similar stories of elderly people in our community that we need to record and preserve for the generations to come."

• The Pniel Museum is open from Tuesdays to Fridays from 10:00 to 16:00. Special visits can be arranged outside of these hours. 

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With Stellenbosch 肆客足球's (SU) focus on social impact awareness in July, this series of profiles celebrate remarkable individuals and teams who make a meaningful contribution beyond the 肆客足球's walls. The recent inaugural Social Impact Awards recognised academic and professional administrative support services (PASS) staff at SU who are driving positive change in diverse spheres of life.

Prof Eileen Africa from the Division of Movement Science and Exercise Therapy at SU's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences was one of the winners in the team Leader category of the Social Impact Awards. She received recognition for KIDSMove (The Key to Improving Developmental Skills for Movement), an initiative aimed at improving gross motor skills of foundation phase children. The programme focuses on developing children with a variety of challenges holistically through movement. Gross motor development and sport specific skills form the core components of the programme.

Congratulations on receiving the Social Impact Award. Could you share your initial reaction when you found out about it?

When I saw the email about the award, I was genuinely surprised; I did not see it coming. This unexpected recognition makes it even more special and memorable.

Can you tell us more about the inspiration behind the KIDSMove initiative and how it came to be?

KIDSMove was born 12 years ago from a deep passion for children's overall development and a strong commitment to making a positive impact, particularly in under-resourced communities. We started with one school in the Western Cape, and to date we have reached and made an impact in over 20 sites. Driven by a genuine desire to enhance children's movement skills, I embraced the opportunity to create this initiative and established various sites in and around Stellenbosch and Tygerberg. I value the crucial role physical activity and movement plays in children's growth and development. By integrating fun and engaging activities with developmental goals, KIDSMove aims to support children in building essential gross motor skills, fostering a love for movement and promoting overall well-being.

How has the KIDSMove initiative impacted the lives of the children involved?

Over the past few years, KIDSMove has had a profound positive impact on children from diverse backgrounds and abilities. By enhancing their fundamental motor skills, boosting their confidence, and improving their overall well-being, the initiative has made a significant difference in their lives. The true success of KIDSMove lies not in one specific site, but in the collective achievements of all our locations. Each site provides valuable and unique services to children who otherwise lack access to structured, well thought through programmes, ensuring that every child can develop essential skills and thrive in a supportive environment.

What personal values or experiences drive your dedication to improving the lives of children and how do these values shape your approach to your projects?

My dedication to improving the lives of children is deeply rooted in my personal values and experiences, shaped by my upbringing in a small coloured community in Worcester. From within a community where resources were often limited, I learned the value of resilience, determination and the transformative power of empowerment. My passion for empowering children is grounded in the fundamental belief that every child deserves equitable access to opportunities, regardless of their circumstances. This drives my commitment to creating programmes that not only provide access to physical activity and movement programmes but also build a sense of belonging and possibility. Through inclusive, community-centred initiatives, I aspire to inspire a generation of resilient, informed individuals who are equipped to make positive contributions to their own communities and society at large.

You made a point of thanking your team when you accepted the Social Impact Award. What role does your team play in the success of KIDSMove?

My team plays an integral role in the success of KIDSMove. Their expertise and passion for development of children drive this initiative. Open communication, encouraging creative input, and maintaining a supportive environment are very important to me. Regular team meetings, shared goals, and ongoing professional development help my team to stay aligned and motivated. Each team member's unique skills and perspectives as well as their tireless work ethic contribute to the overall success of KIDSMove, creating a cohesive and dynamic group that is committed to making a positive impact in the lives of the children we serve. The camaraderie within our team has been instrumental in turning our vision into reality, and I am incredibly proud and grateful for their hard work and dedication.

Could you share some highlights of your journey in academia?

I was appointed in 2007, just after I received my doctorate in December 2006. My journey as an academic has been nothing short of a whirlwind with not a lot of support. There were moments when I was ticking all the boxes, yet I was constantly falling short. It was tough, and at times pretty lonely. But what has kept me going is my genuine passion for my work, particularly when it comes to my students and the communities they impact. I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the support of my academic mentor, Prof Eugene Cloete, who took me under his wing in 2016. His guidance has been instrumental in my growth.

Over the past years, I've achieved some significant milestones, such as becoming an honorary research fellow at the Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences at Coventry 肆客足球 in 2022. Being promoted to associate professor in 2023 was a deeply proud moment for me. I had worked tirelessly towards this goal, and when it finally happened, it was incredibly rewarding. This year unfolded as a remarkably blessed one with a lot of surprises. Among them were my selection for the prestigious SUNRISE [Stellenbosch 肆客足球 Research & Innovation Strategic Excellence] programme, the honour of receiving a Fulbright scholarship, and the humbling recognition of a Social Impact Award, all affirming my dedication to excellence and societal impact. These achievements serve as constant reminders of why I chose this path and continue to inspire me to push boundaries.

What plans do you have for expanding KIDSMove?
Children are our next generation of adults, and we need to invest in their health and well-being. The aim is to, in future, invite colleagues from various departments within our Faculty and the broader 肆客足球 to join some of our sites and initiatives, allowing our students to collaborate and make a collective impact. This collaboration will enable us to take a holistic approach to the KIDSMove project, integrating diverse expertise and resources. Additionally, by partnering with local organisations in Namibia, seeking international funding, and launching pilot programmes, we can extend our impact beyond our borders. Furthermore, I would like to train local volunteers or even teachers in different areas to become facilitators to help us manage KIDSMove's growth.

Outside of your professional life, what are some of your personal interests and hobbies that help you relax and recharge?

When it comes to relaxing and recharging, there's nothing quite like the simple joys that fill my heart. I live for sunrise and sunset beach walks and family time and cuddles with my toy yorkies are sacred to me. My husband and my two beautiful daughters are my everything, and their presence brings me the greatest sense of peace and contentment. I also absolutely love taking photos 每 it's my way of holding onto all the magical moments.

PHOTO: Prof Eileen Africa receives her Social Impact Award from Dr Zetu Mkize (Director: Transformation Office)  and Renee Hector-Kannemeyer (Deputy Director: Social Impact and Transformation). (Photo by Stefan Els)

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With Stellenbosch 肆客足球's (SU) focus on social impact awareness in July, this series of profiles celebrate remarkable individuals and teams who make a meaningful contribution beyond the 肆客足球's walls. The recent inaugural Social Impact Awards recognised academic and professional administrative support services (PASS) staff at SU who are driving positive change in diverse spheres of life. Merin Raju Jacob, a junior researcher at the Centre for Sustainability Transitions (CST), was one of the winners in the individual category of the Social Impact Awards for her work with the advocacy group the Stellenbosch Homelessness Forum (SHF).

With torrential rain and stormy winds battering Stellenbosch this week, many people's lives have been disrupted. The plight of the most vulnerable individuals in town came into sharp focus as homeless people desperately sought protection against the elements. As someone with a personal and academic interest in addressing this issue, Merin Jacob understands the mixed emotions that homelessness evokes.

Her journey with the SHF began last year when the municipality called for volunteers interested in addressing homelessness. Jacob eagerly responded. Her passion for the cause, combined with a background in engineering and sustainability transitions, has driven her to help seek solutions that are both compassionate and practical.

The SHF is a collective formed by organisations and individuals who aim to understand and jointly design pathways for the homeless or unsheltered people in Stellenbosch, Jacob explains. As convenor of the executive committee, she brings together stakeholders such as the local municipality, the Stellenbosch night shelter, SU, the Winelands Safety Initiative, the Department of Social Development and several churches and NGOs.

※The past year has been a steep learning curve for us as we tried to understand what homelessness entails in Stellenbosch and how we can work together," Jacob points out. ※We've tried to create a shared understanding of what the problems are and what our focus should be. We've put together a sort of mapping of all the institutions dealing with homelessness to streamline referrals.

※We conducted a survey last year with 67 people within the homeless community trying to understand the situation specifically here in Stellenbosch. We also conducted a public perception survey to gauge how the general public engages with the homeless and where they feel responsibility lies. We believe the solutions can't rest entirely with the municipality or local authorities. We understand the challenges that the local government faces. Homelessness is everyone's concern."

Collaborative, targeted and consistent efforts are required to get individuals off the streets and re-integrated into society. That is exactly what the SHF is trying to achieve, Jacob explains.

Fostering partnerships

Jacob is excited about collaborating with organisations that have had success elsewhere such as U-turn and MES (an organisation that empowers homeless and unemployed individuals holistically in cities across South Africa). ※U-Turn Homeless Ministries is quite a large organisation, and they have excellent programmes to help individuals overcome homelessness through skills development, addiction recovery and employment opportunities. We're eager to learn from them."

The SHF is keen to establish a drop-in facility for U-turn in Stellenbosch to make resources available to homeless people during the day.

As a researcher at the CST, Jacob's academic interest is in urbanisation and just energy transitions. Degrees in mechanical engineering and future studies led her from design and engineering into complex systems. ※I'm doing my master's degree trying to understand how we can reimagine cities to be both people-centric and environmentally centred using the arts. It's important to think about it from the perspective of vulnerable communities," she stresses.

Addressing homelessness requires tackling multiple layers of complexity, Jacob notes. Issues such as public toilets being closed at night and the lack of a drop-in facility for homeless individuals are among the critical challenges the SHF is trying to resolve.

One of the things Jacob learned since getting involved with the homeless community is how difficult it is to keep your belongings safe. ※Homeless individuals often lose essential items like identification documents which are crucial for accessing various services. I've heard stories of people's possessions, like clothes and blankets, being burned. That sense of how little security you have is tragic to me, also because it means homeless people are caught up in a never-ending struggle to replace essential items. It explains the complexity of providing safe spaces, like night shelters, because sometimes the trade-off is staying on the street to protect what you have and can't bring into those spaces."

Originally from Tzaneen in Limpopo, Jacob says she only appreciated the value of growing up in a small town when she became a student at the 肆客足球 of Pretoria. ※Tzaneen is the kind of place where when you go to a shop you bump into someone you know, or if you go to the library, they know your name. When I moved to Pretoria to study, the poverty I encountered was a visceral shock to me. You'd meet ten homeless people a day. Hearing the stories of kids who had to leave home because they needed to earn money for families whose breadwinners had passed away was heartbreaking."

Compassion and understanding

Her approach to homelessness is deeply rooted in understanding and compassion. She believes that everyone should feel a sense of belonging, including the homeless community. ※Belonging is something that I care deeply about. Feeling like you belong somewhere is crucial, and the homeless community generally isn't treated as if they belong."

Jacob acknowledges the public perception of homelessness is often negative and there is little consensus on who should be responsible for solutions. Those who want to help and make a difference sometimes lack the knowledge about support systems.

It's important to understand the complex emotions at play when people are confronted with homelessness, Jacob says. When someone responds negatively to a homeless person, it doesn't always come from a malicious place, she observes. ※Sometimes it comes from being overwhelmed or feeling helpless to make a meaningful long-term difference. Trying to distance yourself from the homeless is a common reflex. But when you listen to people who've escaped homelessness, they often say one of the worst things is being ignored and not being able to share their story.

※Part of the problem is that the homeless community is not homogenous. There are a multitude of circumstances that drive people into homelessness. A lot of the challenges that come with homelessness are simply because our economy is stagnant and we're struggling with massive unemployment. And yes, there sometimes are criminal elements in the homeless community and substance abuse is a common occurrence, often as a trauma response or a coping mechanism. I think a major concern is how we make sure that we don't have more people slipping into homelessness while we're pulling people out."

Team effort

Jacob's work is not limited to local efforts. She is involved in broader conversations, including developing a national homelessness policy with the Human Sciences Research Council and U-turn. The aim is to create a more comprehensive and caring approach to homelessness that considers the lived experiences of homeless individuals.

Reflecting on her journey since she joined SU, Jacob expresses gratitude for the support she has received from the 肆客足球 and the CST. ※I'm really grateful to be at SU. I think academia is one of the great spaces to be when you try to address challenging problems. I work in such a phenomenal space." She credits her colleagues and managers for providing the support needed to engage in activist research and drive social change.

Jacob says winning the Social Impact Award was a big surprise. ※In my acceptance speech, I made it clear this is not my individual award. I was just the person based at SU, which is why my name is on the certificate. This is a team effort," she emphasises. The award funds will go towards building and expanding the network of support that the SHF has already established.

Looking ahead, Jacob says the SHF plans to convene facilitated dialogues with various communities in Stellenbosch to better understand the issues and challenges related to homelessness. These discussions will include homeowners, businesses and students as well as the homeless community itself. ※It'd be great to hear their voices and understand their perspectives," Jacob says.

Photograph: Merin Raju Jacob receives her Social Impact Award from Dr Zetu Mkize (Director: Transformation Office) and Renee Hector-Kannemeyer (Deputy Director: Social Impact and Transformation).

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To commemorate Mandela Day, Stellenbosch 肆客足球's Division for Social Impact in partnership with the Transformation Office will host a walking dialogue aimed at reflecting on Nelson Mandela's legacy.

Join us on 23 July 2024, on a designated path around the campus, focusing institutional landmarks, which symbolise the significance of Mandela's long walk to freedom in the pursuit of his ideals for equality and social justice. The walking dialogue, aimed at students and staff, seeks to create a platform for collective reflection and action-orientated commemoration through critical engagement and sense-making.

?The call to action for Nelson Mandela International Day 2024 is ※It is in your hands", focusing on how we can harness our strengths and collectively work together as a nation to create a climate-friendly environment as well as address food insecurity. This call requires us to actively reflect, engage, and act. It remains our responsibility to be the change we want to see.

This year the 23^rd of July is marked as SU's official date to commemorate Nelson Mandela Day. The Division for Social Impact in partnership with the Transformation Office is calling on the SU community to participate in the Walking Dialogue and Food Security Drive Now and Beyond. To register for the walk click here: https://forms.office.com/r/361j2y7EsA?

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Stellenbosch 肆客足球, as a leading institution of higher learning, has a profound role in fostering the well-being of its students. Ensuring food security is essential not only on Mandela Day or for the month of July but throughout the entire year and beyond. In the respective faculty, departments, and support environments, staff and students are encouraged to get involved and join hands in combatting food insecurity and contributing any of the following items by 31 July 2024:

The list above acts as a guideline but you have the liberty to supply any other items of choice. This simple action can pave the way for a future of food security.

Designated drop off points have been established for those who wish to deliver items or alternatively, arrangements can be made with either office for the collection of items/goods.

1.      The Division for Social Impact

Address: Banghoek Road, Ou L邦ckhoff School building.

Contact Person: Ms Karabo Xutwya

E-mail address: karabox@sun.ac.za

Telephone: +27 21 808 2977

2.     The Transformation Office

Address: Transformation Office, Building: Admin A Building, Office 1008,

Contact Person: Ms Shant谷 Neff

E-mail address: shante@sun.ac.za

Telephone: +27 21 808 9465

The Tygerberg Student Representative Council (TSRC) is hosting a knitting circle, where students will have the opportunity to learn and practice knitting and crocheting. Experienced instructors will be available to teach these valuable skills to participants, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their skill level, can contribute. As part of this initiative, the squares knitted by participants will be sewn together to create blankets. These handmade blankets will be donated to a local children's shelter, providing warmth and comfort to those in need.

Hippokratus will be organizing a community soup kitchen, with the prepared food being donated to the Haven Night Shelter. Students will gather at the TSS to assist in the preparation of the soup, working together to provide a warm meal for those in need. This initiative aims to foster a spirit of collaboration and compassion among the participants while making a positive impact on the community.

Meerhof will be visiting the children's ward at Tygerberg Hospital to read books to children who do not have their mothers by their side. This compassionate initiative aims to bring comfort and joy to these young patients, offering them moments of warmth and connection during their stay in the hospital.

Huis Francie van Zijl will be hosting blanket-making for donation and bracelet-making for awareness. The blankets will be donated to either the night shelter or to Tygerberg hospital in order to give back to the community.

Ubuntu will be helping the new mothers in the Kangaroo Mother Care Ward in Tygerberg Hospital, especially this winter with some essential toiletries the mothers will need during their stay, but also with one outfit for their little ones.

Osler will be at the TSS packing 67 ※Meals-in-a-bag". These meal bags will be distributed to homeless shelters in the area. Mi-change vouchers will also be available for purchase to help feed and clothe the homeless.

Nkosi Johnson and Enkanyini will be hosting a sandwich drive at the Enkanyini Hub. The sandwiches will be donated to a local organisation Shirley's Giving Hands who will distribute the sandwiches to the communities they serve.

For more information regarding Tygerberg Nelson Mandela Day Activities contact: Ms. Moedi Ramohlale 每 tsrcsocialimpact@sun.ac.za 

The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences is seeking to donate educational toys to enrich the community library. Your donations can help inspire and educate young minds and support and honour Mandela's legacy through education. For more information contact: Ms. Colleen Charters 每 cdchar@sun.ac.za

?In the spirit of Mandela Day and to deepen our impact, collaboration, participation, and support any other activities planned for Mandela Day are encouraged and requested to be shared with Chevaan Peters 每 chevaan@sun.ac.za by Friday, 12 July 2024. The information should include the following:

A paragraph indicating-

• who is involved (SU stakeholder/s and partner/s)
• where it is taking place
• what is/are the activity/ies
• when (date and time)
• an invitation for involvement
• contact person and contact details

The information will be used to compile a list of all Mandela Day activities for July, which will be placed on the SU website.

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?During the cold winter months, it is nice to light an indoor fireplace for extra warmth or to have the occasional 'braai'. The downside is that you may be inhaling tiny solid or liquid substances that could be harmful to your health.

In a new study published in Energy Research & Social Science, a group of researchers from the Faculty of Engineering at Stellenbosch 肆客足球 (SU) found that using an indoor fireplace can result in the release of harmful particles that can be dispersed in the air and cause health problems when inhaled. Some particles can settle in the lungs, while others can even enter the bloodstream.

The researchers point out that various studies have raised concern about poor indoor air quality in informal settlements, where fires are made indoors as a necessary measure for heating. However, its impact in formal housing, where fireplaces and indoor braais are commonly used as amenities, has not been investigated.

※Our results show that the levels of harmful substances released during indoor fireplace use exceeded the recommended guidelines and standards of the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO recommends prolonged exposure to these small particles for no more than three days in a year," says PhD candidate Rita van der Walt from the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at SU.

※Prolonged exposure (months to years) to finer substances has been associated with early deaths, particularly among individuals with chronic heart or lung conditions, and stunted lung function growth in children," adds van der Walt, who conducted the study with her supervisors and colleagues from her department and the Department of Industrial Engineering.

They looked at the air quality in a few houses that use open and closed indoor fireplaces during winter. ※It is imperative to consider the effect of particles, released from an indoor fireplace, on the indoor air quality and the potential health risks associated."

To collect air-quality data, they used sensing devices to measure and record the concentration of tiny particles in the air every 11 minutes 每 a total of 130 times daily. These sensing devices were placed on counters or tables near the fireplace.

※Our results suggest that the 24-hour average concentration of tiny particles often exceeds the WHO's recommended limit of 15 micrograms per cubic meter (a space that is one meter long, one meter wide, and one meter tall). Fifteen micrograms is very tiny and lightweight. If you were to split a grain of table salt into four equal parts, one part would weigh 15 micrograms.

※The daily average exposure to these particles showed that, in all households measured, particle levels remained above the recommended limit for a long time after fireplace use. The results indicated periods ranging from slightly less than an hour to more than three hours of high exposure.

※The concentrations of these substances are only marginally higher for open fireplaces than enclosed ones."

※However, when we compared the average levels of small particles between open and enclosed fireplaces, we found much higher and more unusual readings in homes with open fireplaces," add the researchers.

During the study, they shared their findings with one of the households. ※After sharing the preliminary measurements with one of the households who had an open fireplace, they immediately stopped making indoor fires. This resulted in a substantial reduction in the particulate concentrations and peak measurements.

※As many South Africans may not know about the health risks associated with using indoor fireplaces, these results might inform households on fireplaces and indoor air quality. Hopefully, this would reduce the number of indoor fires or get people to stop making them."    

The researchers say even though this was an exploratory study, it delivered valuable results laying the groundwork for a larger future study with more households. These households may include lower-income housing, where indoor fire-making becomes necessary for heating in winter, posing a potential public health concern.

They add that future work may also include conducting interventionist experiments that could involve making indoor air quality monitoring data available to households, potentially leading to proactive changes in behaviour and indoor environmental practices.

• Source: Van der Walt RE, Jacobs R, Grobbelaar SS & Booysen MJ 2024. Lifting the unseen smokescreen on indoor air quality due to amenity indoor fireplaces in South African homes. Energy Research & Social Science 114 (2024) 103597: DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2024.103597
  

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Professors Marlo M?ller and Samantha Sampson from Stellenbosch 肆客足球's (SU) Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics have secured a R28 million grant from the US National Institutes of Health's Fogarty International Centre. The five-year funding will bolster bioinformatics training in Africa, focusing on infectious diseases, particularly tuberculosis (TB).

The grant supports the African Tuberculosis Bioinformatics Training Programme, which aims to train African students in bioinformatics, TB biology, research and more.

M?ller, co-lead on the project, emphasizes the importance of this type of training on the continent. ※TB is a major public health issue on the African continent. The training programme will address the dearth of trained bioinformaticians with expertise in TB and other infectious diseases," says M?ller, a professor in molecular biology and human genetics at SU.

This collaborative initiative involves SU's 肆客足球 of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) and Science, along with partners in Africa and the United States (US), including Dr Paul Edlefsen, from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.

The FMHS' Prof Gerard Tromp, a programme partner, highlights the critical role of bioinformatics of modern biological research. ※Bioinformatics is critical for modern biological investigations to convert large volumes of data into information by combining the disciplines of biology, computer science, and statistics. Due to the multidisciplinary nature, there is a great shortage of bioinformaticians and a need for education and training.

※The African TB Bioinformatics Training Programme is essential to fill the TB bioinformatics needs in southern Africa," explains Tromp, a bioinformatician with the FMHS.

Prof Hugh Patterton, Director of SU's Centre for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, explains how the training will equip students with the required skills. ※The planned programme will provide a skillset to students to utilise powerful computational methods, including artificial intelligence, to distil insight from complex biological and health data sets not possible with conventional approaches."

※The programme will equip trainees with bioinformatics and research skills to position them as future innovators and leaders in infectious diseases research," says Sampson, a professor in molecular biology at FMHS. ※This integrated approach will make a big impact on the current bioinformatics landscape in Southern Africa."

More information on the programme, including the planned implementation date, will be made available once the accreditation and registration processes have been finalised.

Caption: Profs Marlo M?ller and Sam Sampson. 

Photo credit: Dr Elizna Maasdorp

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????Born and raised in the Cape Winelands, the once aspiring professional golfer, Rudolph du Toit, finds his value, calling, and purpose in helping create a platform for people to grow and strive for more.

Rudolph completed his school career in Paarl and after his matric year at Boishaai in 2011 he took a gap year.

Fast forward a few years and the founder and current managing director of ARVO 每 a company focused on headhunting and recruitment 每 has built his career on the foundation of creating opportunities. ARVO is based in Cape Town, but every ARVO staff member works remotely, across the globe.

His passion for sports, people, and spending time helping the vulnerable in under-resourced communities has laid a healthy foundation that has allowed him to impact lives.

Playing off a plus 2 golf handicap, his earlier years were marked by a strong emphasis on sports, which continued during his time at Stellenbosch 肆客足球. Following the completion of his social dynamics degree in 2013, he wanted to help people succeed in life, directly impacting them, but he did not know what that looks like in the corporate world.

His search led him to a postgraduate qualification in marketing, which allowed him to understand that he could connect business and his passion. He soon discovered his passion for business and entrepreneurship during this time around 2016.

"Studies were not [my] everything, sport was, and I was very good at it," Rudolph says. "My primary and high school years were some of my best memories, so much so that I still have friends who were with me at Paarl Boys Primary. These are some of my most valuable friendships.

"After a gap year spent playing golf overseas and coaching cricket in townships around Paarl, I found my calling during my time at Stellenbosch 肆客足球. Seeing people thrive and having a hand in that makes me happy."

He recalls that it was during a lecture, while the professor was teaching, that something in his heart awoken. "I saw business as a platform to touch lives and impact those around you. This realisation led me to co-find a business with two friends, an experience that shaped my entrepreneurial journey. When I told my dad I wanted to give this a go, my parents backed me all the way."

Rudolph says one of his biggest learnings was that he does not want to do business on his own but with people who bring different skills to the table.

His vision for ARVO is deeply rooted in finding the right people for the right positions in the right working environment.  "Our focus is on managerial and executive positions 每 finance, marketing, and engineering," he explains. "We position ourselves as professionals and find out what it takes to find the right person. Predominantly, people join amazing companies with great vision and mission statements, and they leave because of management styles and culture. We aim to influence the culture."

ARVO's name and ethos reflect his approach to business. "I saw a message on a friend's WhatsApp 每 'Surf tomorrow, arvo?' I thought it was such a cool word and I asked about it.

"It reflects how we do business, very relational, and very fun, but at the same time it is excellent and in a class of its own."

?Rudolph is committed to using his business as a platform to make a positive impact. "My work is not who I am. My relationship with the Lord, my wife, my family, and my health are above work. I want to be known as someone who always walked in humility, putting other interests above my own. I aim to put other people in the spotlight and create space for others to thrive."??

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Liesl Fichardt is not just a top tax lawyer, but also an advocate for the arts. While she has established herself as a leader in the legal world, her love for art runs deep, evident in her roles as a trustee, patron, and advisory board member of art foundations and institutions.

This Matie alumna has established herself as a leading figure in the legal world as chair and head of the International Tax Disputes and Resolution team at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP in the United Kingdom. She is also a Trustee of the Stellenbosch 肆客足球 SA Foundation UK.  Liesl is dual qualified in the UK (solicitor of England and Wales) and South Africa (advocate of the High Court). Previously, she was head of the tax disputes team at Clifford Chance LLP in London and, while an advocate in Cape Town until 2005, also acted as a judge of the High Court in 2004.

Liesl and her team engage in complex tax and regulatory disputes for global corporations and high-net-worth individuals. She is also actively involved in several prestigious organisations, including the International Taxes Committee of the Law Society and the Advisory Board for the MSc (International Tax) at Oxford 肆客足球. 

Despite thriving on foreign soil, South Africa calls on her from time to time. "Later this year, I shall participate as a speaker at the International Fiscal Association Congress in Cape Town," she says. 

Liesl is however not only a successful legal professional but also active in the art world. "My love for art comes from my childhood," she recalls. "I saw an art exhibition in Bloemfontein when I was five years old, and I was mesmerised.  Over the years, some of my best friends have been artists, and they have always inspired me to do what I am able to do, to the best of my ability." 

This early fascination with art has driven her to play an active role in various art groups and initiatives. She serves as a trustee and member of the International Council of the Norval Foundation in Cape Town and is a Trustee of the Contemporary Art Society in the UK, where she co-chairs their Development Board and Frieze Acquisitions Board.

Her law firm, Quinn Emanuel's commitment to the arts is evident through an in-house artists-in-residence initiative known as the QE AIR programme.

"This was conceived during and after the Covid lockdown when lawyers started to work more often from home or remotely," Liesl says. "We had excess office space, which we have made available as artists' studios in our offices in Los Angeles, New York, and London."

Liesl's passion does not only stop at the arts, but she is also helping law students at her alma mater. Reflecting on her involvement with the AMICUS Fund, she highlights its role in supporting law students. "There is no direct link with the arts, but via the AMICUS Fund and various art initiatives, we are able to support others in need."

For professionals aspiring to pursue their passions alongside their careers, Liesl offers sage advice. 

?"I always wanted to believe that you will be successful when you do what you love 每 but life does not always work like that. What has worked for me is to work hard at what I do in my legal career. This in turn has enabled me to do what I love and give back what I can in both the legal and art worlds 每 for me, they have become the perfect parallel universes."

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