UFS Department of Soil, Crop and Climate Sciences

Congratulations to all our graduates. With great pride and joy, we celebrate all your achievements.

1. Dr Cowan Mc Lean, PhD in Soil Science
2. Dr Eleanor Mutsamba Magwaza, PhD in Agronomy
3. Dr Muthianzhele Ravuluma, PhD in Agrometeorology
4. Boingotlo Tshabang, MSc in Chemistry, with a distinction
5. Retief Senekal, MSc. Agric. (Agronomy)
6. Innocent Sibabalo Gcelu, MSc. Agric. (Soil Science)
7. Raesibe Kgaphola, MSc. Agric. (Agrometeorology), with a distinction
8. Tshedza Matladi, MSc. in Climate Change

Congratulations to Prof Van Tol and the team.

𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 – 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲

The University of the Free State (UFS) Afromontane Research Unit, in partnership with South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), has installed Southern Africa’s highest weather station on the Amphitheatre in the Maloti-Drakensberg.

This landmark project will deliver vital real-time climate data from one of Africa’s least-studied alpine zones.

Read more: https://ufsweb.co/489gJcu

Another year, another successful and productive engagement with our industry partners at the annual Postgraduate Student Research Symposium.

A shoutout to
Bayer

Department of Employment and Labour

Villa Crop Protection

Omnia Nutriology

PPS For Professionals

Your commitment to co-creating knowledge for impactful research is truly inspiring. Thank you for a blissful day, and here's to more that we are yet to discover together. Thank you.

Congratulations to our former Soil Science Masters Student, Hleziphi Ntuli, who recently obtained her second Master of Science in Energy and Climate Policy from the University of Sussex, graduating with distinction.

We are proud of your achievements and wish you well.

We are still at it! Helping you connect with your potential employers.

Same place as last year, we will be hosting the Department of Employment and Labour, who will be helping students register on the ESSA Labour Database on Friday, 7 November from 9 am.

See you all there. Fountain entrance of the Agriculture building

Have you booked your spot yet? Don't miss out on this opportunity.

A day well spent at Dfert Agricultural Fertiliser Company, based in Bothaville, which we connected with at the NAMPO Cape Event. Productive conversations at their factory and offices regarding collaboration with research using their products, as well as ways to equip students with work experience and industry exposure. Thank you to Chris du Preez (yellow hat) and Ian Bezuidenhoudt (white hat), who were wonderful hosts to our colleagues. We look forward to this new journey together.

Meet Maipato Margaret Mota. She holds a Masters degree in agronomy. She is currently a PhD candidate at Stellenbosch University and works as an agronomist at the Department of Agriculture Research in Lesotho.

🚨🎯Invitation to a guest lecture by Wim Voogt from Wageningen University & Research (PUM, Netherlands).

Dear Colleagues,
You are invited to a guest lecture by Mr. Wim Voogt, an international expert in nutrient solutions and greenhouse horticulture from the Netherlands (PUM).

Details:
• Date: 27 October 2025
• Time: 13:00 – 14:00
• Venue: Agricultural Board Room
• Topic: Modern Greenhouse Horticulture: The Dutch Approach

Mr. Voogt will share insights into current developments in Dutch greenhouse horticulture, addressing challenges related to energy use, water quality and quantity, and reduced agrochemical inputs, with a special focus on soil and soilless culture systems.

We look forward to your participation in this engaging session.

For more information, contact:
Dr Gesine Coetzer ([email protected])

Not only memories, but also new networks, were formed at the NAMPO Cape in Bredasdorp Park from September 10th to 13th. Keep an eye out for the work that will emanate from these new relationships 😎.

The Department of Soil, Crop, and Climate Sciences, as well as the Department of Sustainable Food Systems and Development, were invited by the Office of International Affairs - UFS, which was funded by AERES University of Applied Sciences, Netherlands. The purpose was to market and get collaborations with industry partners, as well as promote some of the products produced through the UFS Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Departments.