Friends of UKZN Agriculture

𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 𝗕𝗨𝗥𝗦𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝗔𝗣𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡

Potatoes South Africa invites eligible students to apply for funding for the 2027 academic year.

We are looking for individuals who are committed to studies in agriculture or related fields, with a passion for building a sustainable future for our industry.

📅 Closing date: 31 August 2026
📩 Apply here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/HAu6WMi8Qw
📞 Tel: 012 349 1906

Call for applications!! Apply now for the Justin Chadwick Bursary in Agricultural Economics!

Applications close on 15 September 2026. Visit the Citrus Academy website for more information and to apply!

https://citrusacademy.org.za/apply-for-a-bursary/justin-chadwick-bursary-for-agricultural-economics/

It is with profound sadness that we announce the sad and sudden passing of our colleague, Dr Krishna "Denver" Naidoo on 02 August 2026. His untimely departure has left a deep void in the School of Agriculture and Science and the broader academic community.

Dr Naidoo was a Lecturer and Researcher in the School of Agriculture and Science within the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). Dr Naidoo completed his tertiary education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science (2005), followed by a Bachelor of Science Honours in Community Resource Management (2006), a Master of Agriculture in Food Security (2009), and subsequently, a Doctor of Philosophy in Food Security (2024).

Dr Naidoo was the youngest son of Jennifer and the late Daya Naidoo. He grew up in Raisethorpe and matriculated from Raisethorpe Secondary School in 1993.

Dr Naidoo worked in the field of Food and Nutrition Security, with a strong interdisciplinary background encompassing Geography, Community Resource Management, sustainable agriculture and rural development. His research focused on food and nutrition security, climate change adaptation, sustainable agricultural systems, smallholder farming, natural resource management and rural livelihoods. His work sought to address the complex interactions between agricultural production, environmental sustainability and socio-economic development, with particular emphasis on improving the resilience and productivity of vulnerable farming communities in South Africa and across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Dr Naidoo’s research examined resource-use efficiency among smallholder potato farmers, household food security during the COVID-19 pandemic, the contribution of community gardens to food security and climate resilience, traditional dairy hygiene practices affecting milk quality and the role of fisheries in enhancing food and nutrition security in Sub-Saharan Africa. Dr Naidoo contributed as a researcher to externally funded research projects, including projects funded by the Water Research Commission (WRC), South Africa and Wellcome Trust (SHEFS-SA project), United Kingdom. His work demonstrated a steadfast commitment to generating evidence-based solutions for sustainable agricultural development and improved livelihoods. As an active researcher, Dr Naidoo made significant scholarly contributions through publications in reputable peer-reviewed journals and several other technical reports. He also served as a reviewer for several academic journals.

Beyond his own academic accomplishments, Dr Naidoo was an experienced and passionate supervisor of postgraduate students. He successfully supervised five doctoral and 15 Master's students. His supervision philosophy promoted rigorous scientific inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration and practical research that contributed to policy development and community transformation. To many of his students, he was more than a supervisor; he was a mentor who inspired confidence, nurtured curiosity and encouraged excellence with patience, humility and genuine care. His unwavering belief in the potential of others empowered many young scholars to pursue their academic aspirations and make meaningful contributions to society.

Driven by a deep passion for advancing sustainable food systems, Dr Naidoo collaborated extensively with researchers, policymakers and development practitioners to produce high-impact research that informed agricultural policy, strengthened food security and promoted resilient livelihoods. His career reflected an unwavering commitment to academic excellence, research innovation, postgraduate mentorship and meaningful societal impact through evidence-based solutions to contemporary agricultural and environmental challenges. His commitment to academic excellence was matched only by his kindness, humility and unwavering dedication to serving others.

His expertise established him as a respected contributor to research on food security, climate resilience, rural development, and sustainable natural resource management. Colleagues admired his professionalism, collaborative spirit and willingness to generously share his knowledge and expertise. His commitment to academic excellence was matched only by his kindness, humility and unwavering dedication to serving others.

Dr Naidoo's passing has left an immeasurable void in the lives of his beloved family, cherished friends, respected colleagues, devoted students and the many communities he served with unwavering compassion. He was far more than an accomplished academic; he was a loving son, a brother, uncle, a trusted friend, a compassionate mentor, a gifted teacher and a source of encouragement and hope to countless individuals whose paths crossed his. His humility, generosity and willingness to place the needs of others before his own distinguished him as an extraordinary human being. He gave freely of his time, knowledge and heart, believing that the true measure of success was not found in titles or accolades, but in the positive difference one makes in the lives of others. Those who had the privilege of knowing him will forever remember his gentle spirit, warm smile, infectious laughter, quiet strength and genuine concern for the well-being of everyone around him.

Although his earthly journey ended far too soon, Dr Naidoo's legacy will continue to live on through the students he mentored, the researchers he inspired, the communities he uplifted and the lives he transformed. His family and friends will dearly miss his unconditional love, unwavering support, wisdom and comforting presence. His colleagues will remember a dependable collaborator and an exceptional scholar, while his students will forever cherish a mentor whose office door, heart and mind were always open. The farming communities with whom he worked will remember his remarkable selflessness, his hands-on approach and his unwavering commitment to standing alongside them in addressing real-world challenges rather than merely studying them from a distance. His absence will be profoundly felt across every life he touched, but the values he embodied (compassion, humility, integrity, service and excellence) will continue to inspire generations of scholars, practitioners, and community members. Though he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on in every student he encouraged, every colleague he supported, every community he strengthened and every life he changed.

His memory will forever remain a blessing and he will be deeply and dearly missed by all who had the honour of knowing and loving him. His funeral will take place on 08 August, 2026 at Holy Angels Anglican Church, 247 Khan Road, Raisethorpe.

Tribute written by colleagues of the erstwhile School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences.

South African National Seed Organization 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲!

This is an excellent opportunity for graduates in Agricultural Sciences to gain experience in the seed industry, including certification processes, regulatory frameworks, and industry operations.

📍Location: Pretoria (Lynnwood)
📅Duration: 1 August 2026 – 31 July 2027
🚨Application Deadline: 15 July 2026
📧Apply to: [email protected]
Subject: Certification intern application 2026

🔗Find more information here: https://bit.ly/4vbi1gr

𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:
• Seed certification and field monitoring
• Administrative and technical support
• Agricultural legislation and industry engagement

If you are a motivated graduate looking to build a career in the agricultural sector, we encourage you to apply.

The University of KwaZulu-Natal's (UKZN) Professor Onisimo Mutanga, South African Research Chair (SARChI) in Land Use Planning and Management, is a member of the Airborne Remote Sensing Observations Team involved in the Survey of the Cape (BioSCape) biodiversity project, which recently received the prestigious (NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration) Group Achievement Award, one of the agency’s highest accolades recognising exceptional contributions to NASA’s mission and scientific endeavours.

BioSCape is NASA’s first biodiversity-focused airborne and field campaign, designed to capture ecosystem structure, function, and composition data in South Africa’s Greater Cape Floristic Region using four NASA instruments on two aircraft. The Region is one of the world’s rare biodiversity hotspots and one of the most biologically rich and unique ecosystems, with thousands of endemic species found nowhere else on the planet.

The team comprised over 150 scientists from more than 40 institutions, including government agencies, universities and non-governmental organisations. BioSCape achieved precise, near-simultaneous observations, positioning NASA’s Earth Science Division to advance biodiversity monitoring globally.

It is one of the most ambitious biodiversity mapping efforts ever undertaken in South Africa, significantly advancing understanding of how ecosystems can be monitored at the landscape scale using cutting-edge remote sensing technology.

Achieving this recognition reflects the hard work, dedication and remarkable accomplishments of the entire BioSCape team.

Mutanga is an expert in vegetation-state analysis under global change using remote sensing techniques. In his work, he integrates ecology, biodiversity conservation, and remote sensing to model the impacts of forest fragmentation, pests and diseases, and invasive species on agricultural and natural ecosystems.

Read more: https://ndabaonline.ukzn.ac.za/UkzndabaStory/volume-14-issue-21/nasa-honours-team-including-ukzn-professor-for-biodiversity-monitoring-research/

At the University of the Free State (UFS) 40th Chancellor’s Distinguished Alumni Awards, Professor Hussein Shimelis, South African Sugarcane Research Institute (SASRI) Chair of Crop Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and Director of the African Centre for Crop Improvement (ACCI), was recognised as one of the University’s distinguished alumni for his considerable contributions to demand-led plant breeding research and capacity development in Africa.

The awards in several categories have been presented to a host of notable South Africans over their 40-year history, including jurists, Olympic champions, Springbok rugby stars, global ambassadors, and more. One of the country’s top public universities, UFS has educated eminent professionals, business leaders, and scholars. Award recipients are celebrated for undertaking work that has impacted communities, professions and society in South Africa, across the region and internationally.

Read more: https://ndabaonline.ukzn.ac.za/UkzndabaStory/volume-14-issue-21/ukzn-plant-breeding-professor-receives-ufs-distinguished-alumni-award

Citrus Academy Bursary Fund applications are open!

Join the Student Community for more information and application criteria.

www.citruscommunities.org.za

The sub-discipline of Soil Science in the Agricultural Science discipline in the UKZN School of Agriculture and Science is celebrating a high number of master’s and PhD graduates in the autumn graduation ceremonies, with their research underscoring the importance of soil science in addressing challenges linked to soil degradation, climate change, sustainable agricultural productivity and food security. Four graduates celebrated attaining their PhDs while working in research and academia.

Dr Grace Kanonge, a Chief Research Officer focusing on soil fertility and microbiology at the Soil Productivity Research Laboratory in Zimbabwe’s Chemistry and Soils Research Institute, characterised and evaluated naturally occurring soil microbes in Zimbabwe that can help unlock phosphorus in the soil, making it easier for cowpea plants to absorb important nutrients for improved growth.
..
Dr Hlayisani Mabasa, a researcher at the Agricultural Research Council’s (ARC) Natural Resources and Engineering (NRE) division, was also supervised by [Professor Pardon] Muchaonyerwa and the ARC’s Dr Adornis Nciizah. He explored farming methods to help sorghum crops grow better and keep sandy soils healthier in semi-arid areas under rainfed farming systems of South Africa.
..
Dr Kaya Mrubata, also a researcher at the ARC’s Institute for Soil, Climate and Water, examined how different farming practices, such as planting dates, soil disturbance, and crop rotation, affect sorghum growth and soil health across semi-arid and subhumid parts of South Africa.
..
Dr Samukelisiwe Vilakazi, a lecturer at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), explored methods of nitrogen recovery from urine that transform it into a useful fertiliser, using materials made from pine bark and potato waste.
..
Ms Samukelisiwe Ndlovu and Ms Sikhulile Gumbi graduated with their master’s degrees.
..
In addition to these six postgraduate students, 12 students graduated with their Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Agriculture in Soil Science, and three graduated with a BSc in Soil Science, co-majoring with Hydrology.

Read more: https://ww1.caes.ukzn.ac.za/news/building-capacity-in-soil-science-for-sustainable-agriculture/