Tukkie summer v2_n19

TukkieSpring/Summer 2013 Volume 19 Number 2

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TUKKIE
Voorbladfoto/Cover photo
Jakarandabloeisels op die Hatfieldkampus kondig die naderende einde
van die akademiese jaar aan en die aanvang van eksamens.
Jacarandas blooming on the Hatfield Campus signal that the end of the
academic year is approaching together with final examinations.
Menings in Tukkie is dié van die betrokke persoon en nie noodwendig
die standpunt van die Universiteit van Pretoria nie. Tukkie word
uitgegee deur die Universiteit van Pretoria se Departement
Universiteitsbetrekkinge.
Opinions expressed in Tukkie are that of the individual concerned and
not necessarily the view of the University of Pretoria. Tukkie is published
by the University of Pretoria’s Department of University Relations.
Enige redaksionele navrae of inligting kan gestuur word aan:
Any editorial queries or information can be sent to:
Marissa Greeff
E-pos/Email: marissa.greeff@up.ac.za
Tel: 012 420 5193
Adresveranderings
Change of address
Gee asseblief kennis van adresveranderings of kansellasies deur na:
Please send notification of change of address or cancellations to:
E-pos/Email: alumni@up.ac.za
Tel: 012 420 3533
Faks/Fax: 012 362 5088
Meld die kode wat op u adresetiket verskyn in alle korrespondensie.
Quote the code that appears on the address label in all correspondence.
Redakteur/Editor:
Marissa Greeff
Skrywers/Writers:
Manie Bosman
Delia du Toit
Marissa Greeff
Meropa Communications (Pty) Limited
Sanku Tsunke
Foto’s/Photos:
EYEscape Studios, tensy anders vermeld
EYEscape Studios, unless otherwise indicated
Taalredigering/Subediting:
UP Taaleenheid/UP Language Unit

Uitleg/Layout
Francois van der Westhuizen, Departement Universiteitsbetrekkinge/
Department of University Relations
Verspreiding/Distribution:
Prestige Bulk Mailers
INHOUD
CONTENTS
Rektor se Boodskap/Principal’s Message 4
Capital Cities Research Theme 6
UP rated as one of top 500 universities 9
Introducing the new Tuks Scholarship Fund 10
Prof Anthony Melck turns to his parallel
career
12
Mining Industry Study Centre opened 15
The Kumba Virtual Reality Mine Design
Centre — aiming to save lives
17
Innoverende gesondheidsorgprojek betrek
baie by UP
20
Facing reality with dignity 23
Animal Health and Zoonoses at the
University of Pretoria
26
UP’s One Health training and research
platform benefits communities
30
‘UP With Science’ verryk leerders en
gemeenskap deur kennis en onderrig
34
Alumninuus/Alumni news
Strengthening ties with alumni 38
UP alumni kuier in Oxford 40
Prof Robin Crewe: first UP recipient of
the Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship
41
SA Akademie vereer prof Breytenbach 41
Vivit Lingua Latina! 42
Huberte Rupert-prys vir prof Wim Viljoen 42
Mandela Poster Project exhibited first at
UP
43
Botone van ‘n koorlewe klink weer 44
Aardklop raak Tuks 45
‘n Groot gees groet 46
UP-rugbylegende en wetenskaplike
oorlede
47
2013 - A winning year
Rugby - Varsity Cup Champions
Varsity Football Champions
Cricket South Africa National Club Champions
Varsity Athletics Champions

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Universiteit van Pretoria • University of Pretoria • Yunibesithi ya Pretoria
Beste Tukkie-leser
Ek skryf hierdie boodskap aan u vanaf ’n Hatfield-
kampus oortrek met ’n tapyt van jakarandabloeisels;
’n sekere teken dat die akademiese jaar einde se kant
toe staan. Meer as 30 000 voorgraadse studente
skryf nou finale eksamens. Die jaareinde is ook ’n tyd
vir terugskouing oor die afgelope jaar.
U sal in hierdie uitgawe van Tukkie lees oor ons
voortgesette pogings om bande met alumni wat in
die buiteland woon en werk, te hernu. Dit was vir my
’n groot plesier om ons eerste alumni-geleentheid
in Auckland, Nieu-Seeland aan te bied. Dit was
bemoedigend om talle alumni met soete herinneringe
van hul studentedae by Tuks te ontmoet. My
aanvangsbesoeke aan New York en Perth is opgevolg
deur die Dekaan van die Fakulteit Ekonomiese en
Bestuurswetenskappe, prof Elsabe Loots, wat in New
York die spreker was en prof Roelf Sandenbergh,
Dekaan van die Fakulteit Ingenieurswese, Bou-
omgewing en Inligtingtegnologie wat alumni in Perth,
Australië ontmoet het. Nader aan die huis was dit vir
my ’n plesier om ’n alumni-byeenkoms in Windhoek,
Namibië aan te bied waar die bywoning rekordgetalle
bereik het. Ons sal volgende keer ’n groter plek in
Windhoek moet vind!
Dit is altyd bevredigend om alumni te ontmoet wat
ervarings deel wat bevestig dat ’n kwalifikasie van
die Universiteit van Pretoria nie net in Suid-Afrika
nie, maar ook in talle lande regoor die wêreld, ’n
uitstekende grondslag vir toekomstige sukses
bied. Mobiliteit van professionele mense is in die
een-en-twintigste eeu, waar globalisering teen ’n
ongeëwenaarde tempo toeneem, ’n werklikheid van
die lewe. Een van die belangrikste doelwitte van
UP2025, ons langtermyn strategie, is derhalwe om
ons graduandi in staat te stel om in die diverse wêreld
van werk, plaaslik sowel as internasionaal, te slaag.
Een van die aangenaamste prestasies van 2013 is
UP se lysting onder die top 500 universiteite in
die wêreld. Meer as 2000 universiteite word in
die QS-wêreldrangordeningstelsel geassesseer
en slegs 500 word individueel gegradeer. Om
by die top 500 ingesluit te wees, is dus ’n
noemenswaardige prestasie. UP is ook die grootste
navorsingsuniversiteit in Suid-Afrika met 48 700
tans ingeskrewe kontakstudente. UP se sakeskool,
GIBS, presteer steeds besonder goed. GIBS is in die
Suid-Afrikaanse Financial Mail deur maatskappye as
die beste skool gegradeer en internasionaal is GIBS
die enigste sakeskool in Afrika wat die VK se Financial
Times se 2013-rangordetoekennings gehaal het.
UP beskik oor ’n uitstekende rekord vir die lewering
van top gehalte graduandi. In hierdie uitgawe
van Tukkie doen ons op u ’n beroep om die Tuks-
beursfonds te ondersteun. Nagenoeg 44% van
UP-studente maak op finansiële steun in die vorm
van beurse staat. Die Universiteit bewillig self ’n
aansienlike bedrag van ons eie finansiële bronne om
soveel as moontlik studente by te staan, maar dit
is ontoereikend. Die oogmerk van die nuwe Tuks-
beursfonds is om ons by te staan deur ons potensiële
steun aan studente met die vereiste akademiese
talent en ambisie om te slaag, uit te bou. Deur aan
meer jong mense die geleentheid tot ’n UP-graad te
bied, kan ons ’n selfs groter rol in die vorming van
Suid-Afrika se toekoms speel. Daar is hierdie jaar
14 097 grade, insluitende meer as 200 doktorsgrade,
aan UP toegeken. Toegang tot top gehalte onderwys
verander ongetwyfeld lewens ten goede en dit het ’n
breër voordeel vir die samelewing.
Die jaar 2013 is oor die algemeen ’n baie suksesvolle
jaar vir UP. Benewens ons akademiese prestasies
is daar nuwe kampusfasiliteite ontwikkel en
het ons weereens ’n goue sportjaar beleef. Die
hieropvolgende bladsye bied aan u ’n kykie op van die
jongste inisiatiewe en verwikkelinge.
Dié uitgawe is die laaste vir 2013 en ek gebruik dus
die geleentheid om ons beste wense aan u en u gesin
en familie vir die feesgety en die Nuwe Jaar oor te dra.
Vrede, vreugde en goeie gesondheid.
Professor Cheryl de la Rey
Principal’s
Message
Rektor se
Boodskap
Dear Tukkie reader
As I write this message to you the Hatfield Campus
is covered in a carpet of Jacaranda blossoms; a sure
sign that the end of the academic year is not far
off. Over 30 000 undergraduate students are busy
writing their final examinations. The end of the year is
also a time when we reflect on the past year.
As you will see from the pages of this edition of
Tukkie, we have continued our efforts to reconnect
with alumni who live and work abroad. I was very
pleased to host our first alumni event in Auckland,
New Zealand. It was heartening to meet many alumni
who have fond memories of their student days at
Tuks. My initial visits to New York and Perth were
followed up by the Dean of the Faculty of Economic
and Management Sciences, Prof Elsabe Loots,
who was the speaker in New York and Prof Roelf
Sandenbergh, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering,
Built Environment and Information Technology, who
met with alumni in Perth, Australia. Closer to home in
Windhoek, Namibia, I was pleased to host an alumni
gathering at which attendance reached a record
number. Next time we will need a bigger venue in
Windhoek!
It is always gratifying to meet alumni who share
experiences that confirm that a qualification
from the University of Pretoria provides an
excellent foundation for future success
not only in South Africa but also in many
countries across the world. Mobility
of professionals is a fact of life in the
twenty-first century where globalisation is
intensifying at an unprecedented rate.
Therefore, one of the main objectives of
UP2025, our long-term strategy is to
enable our graduates to succeed in the
diverse world of work both locally
and internationally.
One of the most pleasing
achievements of 2013 is the
listing of UP among the top 500
universities in the world. Over 2000
universities are assessed in the QS World
Ranking System and only 500 are ranked
individually. So to be included in the top
500 is a significant achievement. UP
is also the largest research university
in South Africa with a current enrolment of 48
700 contact students. UP’s business school, GIBS,
continues to perform exceptionally well. In the South
African Financial Mail GIBS was rated as the best
school by companies and internationally GIBS is the
only business school in Africa to feature in the 2013
rankings conducted by the UK Financial Times.
UP has an outstanding record of producing quality
graduates. In this edition of Tukkie we are appealing
to you to support the Tuks Scholarship Fund. About
44% of UP students rely on financial support in
the form of bursaries and scholarships. Although
the University commits a substantial amount of its
own financial resources to assist as many students
as possible, this is not enough. The aim of the new
Tuks Scholarship Fund is to assist us in growing the
support we can provide to students who have the
necessary academic talent and ambition to succeed.
By giving more young people an opportunity to obtain
a UP degree; we can make play an even greater role
in shaping South Africa’s future. This year 14 097
degrees were awarded by UP including over 200
doctorates. There is no doubt that access to top
quality education changes lives for the better and this
has a wider benefit for society.
Overall, 2013 has been a very successful
year for UP. In addition to our academic
achievements, new campus facilities have
been developed and we have had another
golden year in sport. The pages that
follow will give you a glimpse of some of
the recent initiatives and developments.
Since this is the last edition of 2013,
I wish to take this opportunity to
extend our best wishes to you and
your families for the festive season
and the New Year.
Peace, joy and good health.
Professor Cheryl de la Rey

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CAPITAL CITIES
RESEARCH
THEME
By Delia du Toit
Artwork by Leane vd Merwe
The Faculty of Humanities’ exciting new
Institutional Research Theme, Capital
Cities, will plant the seed of a new way
of thinking, and of living, in Pretoria.
There is a new train of thought emerging among
Pretoria’s young population: that their city is cool, that
it is worth studying and exploring, and that it should be
treasured.
“Capital Cities: Space, Justice and Belonging”, a new
Institutional Research Theme (IRT) at the University
of Pretoria, initiated by the Faculty of Humanities, calls
on students and people from various backgrounds and
fields to study the capital city, preserving all that makes
it special for future generations – while contributing to
the well-being of the city’s inhabitants and spreading
the word on what makes Pretoria so unique.
“There is a lot of literature on Johannesburg, Cape
Town and even Durban, but not much is written
and preserved about Pretoria,” says Dr Detlev
Krige, co-leader of the project and senior lecturer in
anthropology.
“There was obviously room for such a project. We are
very excited about it and think it will get Pretoria’s
inhabitants, and especially young inhabitants, excited
about their city as well. The uniqueness of capital
cities in general, and of Pretoria in particular, will
be investigated from the viewpoint of a variety of
disciplines including arts and language, architecture,
urban planning, law, history, social work, psychology,
gender studies, political science and economics. It will
be interesting to capture different scholars’ thoughts on
the subject and it is clear that this would have to be a
multi-disciplinary approach,” he says.
Although an initiative of the Faculty of Humanities,
the project involves several other faculties including
Law; Engineering, Built Environment and Information
Technology; Theology; and Natural and Agricultural
Sciences.
Collaboration with other universities, local and
international communities and governmental
departments and municipalities is also in the pipeline.
“The study of urban spaces took off in the last decade
and, although South Africa is a little behind in taking
up this sort of research, this is cutting edge work and
we are proud to be a part of it. As such, there is a lot of
potential for collaboration – locally and internationally,”
says Prof Norman Duncan, Dean of the Faculty of
Humanities.
For the first time in human history, the majority of
the world’s population now lives in cities. Cities,
especially capital cities, both ancient and modern, are
fascinating yet complex physical entities. Not only in
their functioning, but as if they were living organisms
that evolve as their inhabitants do – adapting to the
environment, the needs of the population and the
culture and heartbeat of the citizens.
However abstract the feeling of any city is, it can
still be studied from an objective, exact, numerical
and measurable perspective. Population statistics,
demographics, population density in various suburbs,
the number and nature of residences and businesses,
the road networks, the size and shape and location of
the city, its access to water and other natural resources,
the size of its economy and its budget are all fascinating
subjects providing indispensable information about a
given city.
This presents the University with an opportunity to
contribute towards finding solutions to challenges
that face Pretoria as a city and as a society. Accurate
statistical data about a capital city’s past and present
provide information to project the city’s future – used
by town planners, architects, engineers, geographers
and sociologists who are all involved in the continual
processes of shaping the reality of a city.
Studying, interpreting and contemplating Pretoria as a
capital city is of utmost importance to all who live in it,
and also those who intervene directly or indirectly in the
society and the lives of individuals.
Dr Krige adds that the potential for inter-faculty
collaboration, as well as collaboration with entities
outside the University, added to its impact as an IRT.
“With this project, we want to break down the historical
walls between the University and the city and its
residents. Many institutions in the city possess a wealth
of knowledge on the topic, but it’s not being shared at
the moment. This project will also seek to make that
possible,” says Dr Krige.
So far, the Capital Cities Project has received an
award from the Andrew W Mellon Foundation to
encourage multi-disciplinary research on the city,
and the University will provide substantial funds
for the next three years as part of its programme to
support Institutional Research Themes. This includes
postgraduate bursaries for students in the humanities.
Four research themes have been identified for the
project. Firstly, ‘Cities Represented: Arts and culture’
will explore urban artistic and cultural expressions as a
reflection of city life. “This theme will ask, for example,

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why Johannesburg and Cape Town have specific public
art scenes or public spaces where members of a sub-
culture meet, while art scenes in Pretoria are hidden and
private. We’ll involve the city’s artists – not only through
official avenues such as galleries, but we’ll also talk to
street artists, graffiti artists, poets and mural painters,”
says Dr Krige.
Then, there’s ‘Cities Lived: Movements, Exchanges,
Memories and Histories of the Present’. This theme
looks at what living in the city means to the people who
do so. “There are so many cultures present within this
city,” says Dr Krige. “Youth culture, mall culture, migrant
culture, diplomatic culture and many sub-cultures.
Pretoria, in fact, houses the second biggest number of
diplomats in the world, after Washington DC in the USA.
How do these people live here, and fit in?”
The third theme is ‘Cities Remapped: Industry, Power
and Linkages’, to put a spotlight on how urban economic
structures and the nature of the state influence social
processes. “For this theme, we’ll look at how businesses
in the city work together, what influence politics and
the diplomat culture has on the city, and even at how
attempts to redevelop the industrial north of the city
influences its cultures,” says Dr Krige.
Lastly, ‘Cities Revisioned: Violence, Dignity and
Interventions’, focuses on the multitude of ways in which
academics and other social and political communities
are revisioning the city – in their everyday lives and their
professional practice. “The project, after all, should
not only be for archival purposes, but should become a
living part of the city. It should look at how we can better
everyone’s lives in the city,” says Dr Krige. “Academics
do not have all these answers, of course, but it is a good
starting point for a conversation and debate on the topic.
Many city-related problems are being solved by ordinary
people in their everyday lives and this knowledge and
innovation is a great way of shining the spotlight on
where we live, and where we want this city to go in the
future – to encourage sustainable living.”
“It’s a very long-term project, of course,” says Prof
Duncan. “Even though we look at the history of a
place, it’s future-driven research to help guide the way
self-sustainable cities evolve. With this project, and
without being narcissistic, we want to contribute to the
way people live, so that the future of the city can be
ensured. We need to ask where Pretoria will be in 50
years’ time, and how we can respectfully help develop
it as a progressive, self-sustainable city that respects
its environment while enhancing the well-being of its
people.”
Why the Capital Cities IRT?
The Faculty of Humanities aspires to be a research-
driven faculty. “The Faculty wishes to undertake
research that will substantively contribute to knowledge
generation and add value to the quality of life of the
communities that the University serves and aspires to
serve,” said Prof Norman Duncan, Dean of the Faculty at
the launch of the Capital Cities IRT on 9 October.
The Faculty of Humanities consists of 17 academic
departments and ten centres, institutes and academic
or research units that offer a wide array of programmes
in the humanities, arts and social sciences. Through
its research and scholarship in psychology, social
work, sports and leisure sciences and communication
pathology programmes the Faculty endeavours to foster
the well-being of communities and people in South
Africa at large, and specifically in the City of Tshwane.
“Through its research and scholarship in the fields
of history, anthropology, archaeology, sociology and
languages the Faculty wishes to contribute to a greater
understanding of the city in which it is located.”
Prof Duncan said the Capital Cities Project provides
the University with a strategic opportunity to harness
existing expertise and position the project as a leading
effort to address the global challenge of sustainable
cities. He added that the project would contribute
significantly to cross-faculty and cross-university
collaboration – it would bridge the historical gap
between ‘gown and town’.
Prof Duncan thanked the Executive Mayor of Tshwane,
Councillor Ramokgopa for agreeing to partner with the
University on the project.
The Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane, Councillor
Kgosientsho Ramokgopa (in the middle) with Prof Cheryl
de la Rey, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of
Pretoria (right) and Prof Norman Duncan, Dean of the Faculty of
Humanities (left) at the launch of the Capital Cities IRT.
Academic peers from around the globe consider UP
to be among the top 310 institutions in delivering
education and research, while the job market places
UP at number 311 in producing the best graduates.
These were some of the figures released in the annual
QS World University rankings. The QS rankings
compare the world’s top institutions across a range
of indicators, including those that are of interest to
prospective students.
Overall, UP was ranked between 471 and 480 in
the world for 2013/2014 – at least 20 positions up
from its previous ranking in 2012 when it was rated
between 501 and 550.
More than 2 000 universities across the world were
assessed and 800 ultimately rated to determine
the latest rankings. The top 400 universities are
given individual ranking positions. Lower-ranked
universities are placed within a group starting from
401-410, down to 701+.
UP’s academic reputation, where academic peers
from all over the world indicate the most significant
research currently taking place in their fields of
expertise, was ranked at 305.
UP’s employer reputation, where employers are asked
to identify universities that in their view produce
the best graduates, was ranked at 311. This indicator
is aimed at giving students a better view of how a
higher education institution prepares them for the job
market.
In addition to overall university rankings, the results
are also published relative to five broad subject areas.
In the field of arts and humanities the University was
ranked at 292. For social sciences and management,
UP came in at 270.
UP RATED AS ONE OF
TOP 500 UNIVERSITIES
The University of Pretoria (UP) is among the top 500 universities in the world
and one of the big five in South Africa.

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Cutting-edge research produced by tertiary
institutions in this country has made South Africans
world leaders in several fields of study. It therefore
goes without saying that an investment in higher
education benefits not only the individual in terms of
better career prospects and a higher lifetime income
potential, but also sustains the economic growth
of our country. Higher education strengthens the
fabric of our society by contributing to growth in
the number of gainfully employed people, thereby
potentially addressing many of the negative factors
that may impact on the collective wellbeing of the
nation. The more than 231,000 University of Pretoria
graduates have similarly helped to shape South
Africa, and the world, for the past 105 years.
To sustain and accelerate development and
innovation, universities need to raise graduation rates
and produce more specialised graduates. However,
within the South African context of unemployment
and poverty, the increased pressure on household
expenditure such as high electricity and food prices,
increased cost of healthcare and the ever-increasing
cost of fuel, a good university education is very costly,
and for many an impossible dream. This situation is
exacerbated by the prevailing international economic
conditions which also impact on universities in
South Africa, making it difficult for them to grow and
accommodate the increased demand for tertiary
education.
South Africa’s top universities are currently
experiencing a marked increase in students who
show exceptional academic potential, but who have
acute financial need and are unable to afford tuition
fees. At present more that 45% of Tuks’ over 45,000
students require financial assistance to complete
their studies.
The University commits substantial financial
resources to assist as many needy students as
possible. To this end we’ve established the new Tuks
Scholarship Fund, a unique initiative for a South
African university, to help ensure that deserving
young students with a passion for enhancing the
world are not constrained by a lack of financial
resources. For the first time Tuks has a general
scholarship fund that will be able to support students
across all faculties and academic disciplines –
ensuring that the University continues to be a driving
force in redefining what is possible in a country that
desperately needs skills, flexible and creative young
minds.
Annually the prospect of more cuts to public
spending on universities as a result of the economic
downturn is of great concern and we are increasingly
dependent on the dedicated and generous support
of alumni, corporate donors, parents and friends of
the University who have helped to build and sustain
the institution in its more than 100 years of existence
to sustain the support to our financially needy
and academically deserving students. Our alumni
appreciate what the University of Pretoria has meant
for their lives, businesses and careers.
As proud Tukkie graduates and ambassadors, alumni
wish to see their University prosper and continue to
educate leaders who make a positive difference in
the world. With the new Tuks Scholarship Fund you
now have an opportunity to help pass on the torch
of education and ensure that the future generations
of South African leaders achieve a similar degree of
success to that which you have achieved in life.
The response card in this edition of the Tukkie
enables you to respond to the call for inter-
generational investment in developing talent and
innovation at your alma mater. I urge you to complete
the card and return it to our Advancement office that
will be in contact with you to discuss your gift to the
Fund. Whatever the level of your giving – from a few
Rand per year to a hundred thousand or more – your
support is valued by the University of Pretoria and the
deserving beneficiaries of your generosity. Your small
gift can make remarkable things happen in the lives
of current UP students.
Prof Cheryl de la Rey
Vice-Chancellor and Principal
Dr Theresa Rossouw, UP
alumna and member of staff
says she was privileged enough
to start her working life with
no debt. “This gave me the
opportunity to focus on my
career without the stress of
having to repay large student
loans. It made it possible for
me to achieve financial stability quite early in life,
a rare thing after seven years of study. It gives me
great pleasure to pass this gift on to another student
and hope that she will do the same when she has the
chance.
Mr Peter Thanthwe Chisama, UP alumnus says he
donates to help to maintain the Library as a bank of
knowledge for generations to come. “We can call
ourselves academics or alumni of UP because of the
books, the facilities and staff in the Library we have
had access to. “
Ms Caroline Dassonville,
parent and trustee of the
Nunes Family Trust that
donates monthly to the new
Tuks Scholarship Fund.
After visiting UP on Open
Day, I invested in Tukkies
by sending my daughter to
study there in 2013. During
the Welcoming Ceremony I decided to make a
monthly donation so that I too, in a small way, can
help contribute to the upkeep of this world class
establishment. In South Africa today, we all need
to play a part in the upkeep and maintenance of our
educational institutions as a continued investment for
our future!
Ms Morongwa Makakane,
motivational speaker,
entrepreneur, consultant and
author
I did find my way through
university and I worked hard
to get to where I am today.
Things were twice as difficult; I
had to put in double the effort to learn the things that
were supposed to have been built into my foundation.
I believe that had I received the right guidance, from
an early age, I could have become something else, a
doctor maybe, or an astronaut - I would have had the
latitude to make the choices that I wanted.
It is because of my own circumstances and history,
and the history of the country, and because I
understand the circumstances of most black
students, those who are able, willing, dedicated,
committed, but are unable to, because of their family
backgrounds and lack of finances, that I decided to
step in. I realise that I cannot blame my past, nor can
I undo it, but I can make the lives of the few a little
easier. My contribution is very little, and cannot be
compared to those of big corporates, but I know that
in a small way, I’m contributing, and helping. If I am
able to make a little difference, I am happy because
I know I’m not only helping an individual, I’m helping
the family, the community and the nation.
Morongwa Makakane People and Business Solutions
www.tlholego.co.za
Introducing the new
Tuks Scholarship Fund
Universities contribute substantially
to the development of our country
and its people by delivering excellent
graduates and future leaders in
business, government, politics and
civil society.

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After a long and illustrious career that saw him obtain
qualifications from institutions on several continents
and hold high-ranking positions, such as Rector of
the University of South Africa (UNISA) and Executive
Director at UP, Prof Melck is going to build organs.
Meeting Prof Melck for the first time I am
immediately struck by his modest demeanour and the
fact that he is considerably taller than I had expected.
As we exchange the usual pleasantries over a cup of
coffee in his office, he even seems a little surprised
that I would be interested in writing an article about
him.
“I do not think I am that interesting. I have had some
interesting experiences and worked with some
interesting people, but through most of my career I
had the sense that things just happened to me. That
often determined what I would be doing next,” he
muses.
His first love was music – classical music in particular
– and as a boy growing up in Cape Town and later
in Wellington he dreamed of becoming a fulltime
musician. “At that time we were often encouraged to
do something that would ensure a stable income, so
I then decided to enrol for a BCom Law degree and
thereafter an LLB at University of Stellenbosch (US).”
In spite of doing the more ‘responsible thing’ by
pursuing a career in law and economics, Prof
Melck never gave up his love for music. “Even
when I first started my studies at Stellenbosch I
continued studying music on a part-time basis, firstly
completing a licentiate in organ music and in 1972
obtaining a Fellowship Diploma from the Trinity
College of Music in London.”
Prof Melck explains that in the British system the
fellowship is a qualification certifying professional
competence in certain fields, eg medical doctors
are required to take similar exams when qualifying
as specialists. Although his dream of becoming a
fulltime musician was clearly still alive, his career
took another unexpected turn.
Still at US, Prof Melck decided to switch to economics
and was appointed as a part-time lecturer in
Economics and Commercial Law in the Commerce
Faculty while he completed his MCom degree. As a
result of this switch, he was offered a scholarship to
continue his studies at the elite Cambridge University
in the United Kingdom (UK). He accepted, moved to
the UK and subsequently completed a BA and an MA
degree in Economics at Cambridge.
“When I got to Cambridge I thoroughly enjoyed
the rich traditions of student life, even taking up
rowing and competing in my college’s second rowing
team. However, what I probably enjoyed most was
becoming involved with the classical music scene
at Cambridge. Colleges such as St. John’s College
and King’s College have these incredible musical
traditions and choirs. Although I was not studying
music at Cambridge, I had the good fortune of being
asked to assist in the organ loft at St. John’s for
several years, which was an unbelievable experience
for me.”
The close exposure to his childhood dream once
again revived the prospect of pursuing a career in
the classical music industry. Apart from the fact that
he was a proficient organ player, he was fascinated
by the organ as an instrument and contemplated
taking up an opening as an apprentice with an organ-
building company in Germany.
He smiles as he recalls how that was still not to
be. “While at Cambridge, I received an offer for a
lecturing position from US’ Economics Department.
I replied by thanking them for the kind offer but
explained that it would not be possible for me to
accept at that point. I wanted to complete my studies
in the UK and was also considering organ building. To
my surprise, I got a letter from them some time later
congratulating me on my appointment, delayed for
more than a year in order to allow me to complete my
studies at Cambridge!”
In spite of his initial hesitance, Prof Melck moved
back to Stellenbosch in due time and picked up where
he had left off, albeit this time as senior lecturer. A
brief description on the US’ Department of Economics
‘About’ web page states that Prof Melck was “not
only an excellent researcher, but also an esteemed
lecturer. His way of talking and dry humour ensured
the attention of his students”.
At this time Prof Melck completed his doctoral thesis
in which he analysed Government’s financial policy
towards universities. His thesis formed the basis
for subsidising the South African university sector
for about 20 years. He became professor in the
Department of Economics in 1983 and served a term
as head of the department.
In 1984 Prof Melck again expanded his considerable
academic arsenal by completing a fellowship in
economics through the Alexander von Humboldt
Foundation in Germany. The foundation promotes
academic cooperation between scholars from abroad
and from Germany. As a result, he became a visiting
professor at the University of Cologne.
Going full circle – that is what Prof Antony Melck, the University of Pretoria’s
Executive Director, is planning to do when he retires at the end of this year.
Prof Antony
Melck turns
to his parallel
career
By Manie Bosman
Prof Melck puts the Rieger organ in the UP Chapel through a cadenza.

15
TUKKIE
14
“Another major change in my career occurred in 1988
when I accepted the position of Registrar for Finance
and Operations at Unisa. I started as a lawyer, then
became an economist and now switched to university
management,” he explains.
Within ten years Prof Melck’s career at Unisa
progressed to that of Rector and Vice-Chancellor.
A highlight during his time at Unisa was being
involved with the forming of the Financial and Fiscal
Commission (FFC) – the constitutional body that
advises Parliament on the allocation of resources
between the tiers of government. In 1994, Unisa
seconded him to serve as the FFC’s founding vice-
chairman and while in this position he got to meet
and interact with Nelson Mandela on several
occasions.
“Although I attended his inauguration and the
celebrations following his wedding to Graça Machel,
I would not say that I got to know him personally.
However, what always impressed me about him was
his total commitment to being inclusive. He was
completely accepting and I never saw a hint of
discrimination or ill feeling in his approach. The
only question was if one could do the job.”
As several times earlier in his career, Prof
Melck’s move to UP at the end of 2001 was
again partially mediated by external
influences. Prof Johan van Zyl, UP’s
rector from 1996 to 2001, had on
more than one occasion mentioned
that he would be welcomed at UP
when his time at Unisa came to an
end. By 2001, Prof Melck’s term of
appointment at Unisa had ended
and he decided that it was time to
make the move.
“When I called the University of
Pretoria to say that I was ready to
come over, Johan had already left to become CEO of
Santam and later of Sanlam. However, UP welcomed
me with open arms and within a few weeks had
created the new post as advisor to the Rector
especially for me,” says Prof Melck.
After serving as advisor to the Rector for some
six years, Prof Melck was appointed to his current
position as Executive Director in 2009.
“My time at Tukkies has been very fulfilling and I
have been very happy here. Since I started, there
has always been good leadership – not just at senior
executive level – but at every level throughout the
different faculties. As a result we have a strong
sense of common purpose. There is a team approach
that works and gets everyone pulling in the same
direction. That is extraordinary and I am privileged to
have been part of it,” says Prof Melck.
At this point in our interview I realised that I had
completely forgotten to ask about his family life. His
face lightens up as he tells about first meeting his
wife, Gudrun. “Her father was professor of music at
Stellenbosch. We met on a blind date organised by
my sister, and as you can see all these years later, it
actually worked out!”
The couple have three sons – the oldest an engineer,
the second an historian, both with a master’s degree,
and the third just about to finish his master’s in art-
based information design. All three studied at the
University of Pretoria.
And now finally, full circle with an offer from a leading
Austrian organ building company to join them? “I
have been practising my love for music in a sort of
parallel career since I finished matric. Apart from
what I have already mentioned I have been organist
at various Lutheran churches for nearly 35 years.
The organ has always fascinated me. At the
Austrian firm, I will have a managerial and
administrative role and also get involved on
the marketing side.”
As the interview comes to an end and we
head for the door, I ask Prof Melck if
he has a final word of advice or
wisdom to share with students.
He hesitates for a moment before
responding. “I am very positive
about the future of the country.
Decide what you really want to
do and then devote your energy
to it. Whatever field you are in,
opportunities will open up if you
do what interests you and you do
it well.”
My time at Tukkies has been
very fulfilling and I have been
very happy here. Since I
started, there has always been
good leadership – not just at
senior executive level – but
at every level throughout the
different faculties.
‘
‘
The development of additional teaching and research
facilities for the School of Engineering through
the financial support of both the University and
the Department of Higher Education and Training
resulted in the construction of the new Engineering
3 Building and parkade on the Hatfield Campus.
This development provides additional lecture halls,
laboratories, a new access road and entrance, and a
parkade for 1 000 cars.
A further development, which forms a vital part
of the School’s strategy to increase the success of
engineering students, was the construction of the
Mining Industry Study Centre, officially opened on
31 October. The Study Centre provides facilities to
support learning, especially group work.
Such a facility became a necessity due to the
complexity of the students’ lecture timetable and
their changing demographic profile. Many students
live far from campus and travel great distances on
a daily basis, and do not have adequate facilities for
study or group work at their homes or on campus.
The development of the Study Centre, situated
immediately west of the Engineering 1 Building,
was financially supported by Glencore-Xstrata and
the Anglo-American Chairman’s Fund. Additional
sponsorships were received from CBI Electric and PPC
Cement. The contract for the project was allocated to
Robenco Construction.
The Study Centre accommodates 758 students
across two levels. Level one houses 252 individual
workstations for students on a first-come-first-served
basis, as well as 30 conceive, design, implement and
operate (CDIO) venues, where groups of up to seven
students can work in a private cubicle equipped with
a table and a flat screen monitor. These venues are
reserved through a computerised booking system.
The second level houses 296 cubicle seats without
workstations.
The Study Centre is situated at the University’s
former entrance off University Road at the
Engineering 2 Building, which was closed when the
new entrance to the parkade was constructed. A new
‘drop-off-and-go’ facility has been constructed at the
old entrance – a convenient means for dropping off or
picking up students in a safe environment adjacent to
the Study Centre.
Mining Industry
Study Centre opened
The School of Engineering in the University’s Faculty of Engineering, Built
Environment and Information Technology has embarked on a growth
strategy over the last decade to address the shortage of engineering skills
in South Africa. This has resulted in a significant increase in the number
of engineering students who need to be accommodated.
Continue on p 16

17
TUKKIE
16
Unique landscaping project
The site of the Study Centre consisted of a degraded
space of impervious surfaces and roads older than
60 years, resulting in very poor soil conditions. The
building’s large roof placed considerable pressure on
existing stormwater infrastructure. Further, the space
also had to address the requirements of increasing
numbers of students at the University.
The Study Centre included a unique landscaping
project which revolved around the collection of
stormwater from the roof of the Study Centre
and surrounding hard surfaces into vegetated
swales. From there, the cleansed water flows into
a permanent pond that overflows into tidal ponds.
The tidal ponds were designed to flood in the rainy
season and be partially dry during dry periods. The
overflow from the tidal ponds flows into a tank under
the staircase on the western side of the Study Centre.
This water will be used for irrigating the University’s
botanical garden. Some 145 aquatic and terrestrial
plant species were established in the spaces in and
around the system.
Following the creation of this suitable microclimate,
the University’s tropical African cycad collection
was transplanted into the rain garden. The site has a
number of existing trees protected by South African
legislation, all of which have been incorporated
into the design. The landscape design showcases
the progressive nature of the various professions
involved, and is an example of a functional, cultural
and aesthetically pleasing landscape. It is designed to
be a living laboratory for research purposes.
Demolished building materials were recycled as
permeable paving, cladding for walls in the ponds
and energy breakers for storm water entering the
system. The landscape’s lighting does not interfere
with the natural day-night cycles of the plants, frogs
and fish, which will be introduced into the system for
ecological purposes and research.
This is the University’s first project that truly merges
landscape and buildings, and is one of only a few
buildings in the world where a rain garden system has
been integrated with a building.
Architectural commendation in 2013 Steel Awards
The Mining Industry Study Centre won a commendation in the architectural category at the Southern African
Institute of Steel Construction’s (SAISC) 2013 Steel Awards. One of the judges, Johann Nel from the South
African Iron and Steel Institute, commented that the Study Centre project is an example of where old meets
new, where good engineering meets good architecture, complimenting each other in addressing the aesthetics –
particularly the steel arch design at the entrance to the Study Centre.
Mining Industry Study Centre opened
What was still an unbridgeable gap a few years ago
is soon to become reality – albeit virtual reality –
with the establishment of Africa’s first virtual reality
mining centre at the University
of Pretoria. This centre, the
second largest of its kind in the
Southern Hemisphere, will open
up a myriad of new training
and design possibilities for the
mining industry.
Prof Ronny Webber-Youngman,
Head of UP’s Department of
Mining Engineering, is visibly
excited when he explains how
the new centre – to be named
the Kumba Virtual Reality
Mine Design Centre – is set
to do for the mining industry
what flight simulators do for
the air flight industry.
“One of the challenges in
training people for the mining
industry – be it safety and
rescue teams or mining
design – is that it is both
expensive and potentially life-
threatening to gain practical
experience. The new centre
will enable us to expose
students and other trainees to
situations and conditions very
similar to what they would
encounter in a mine, but at
a lower cost and without the
risks involved.”
Flight simulators had completely transformed the way
pilots and other personnel are trained. Simulators are
cost-saving and safe and they provide more effective
training.
A key factor here is “knowledge
transfer” – the extent to which
knowledge or abilities acquired
in one area can be applied to
problem solving or knowledge
application in another area.
For instance, learning about
safety and rescue procedures
There is no better way to learn than through experience, but this is often
easier said than done. Learning about mining safety or rescue techniques
through experience could be very costly – not only in financial terms, but
also in lives lost.
‘You cannot create
experience. You must
undergo it.
– Albert Camus
‘
The Kumba
Virtual Reality Mine Design
Centre – aiming to save lives
By Manie Bosman
A floor plan of the Kumba Virtual Reality Mine Design Centre. Continue on p 18

19
TUKKIE
18
in a conventional classroom could be effective, but it
is no guarantee that students will be able to transfer
and apply what they had learned when facing life-
threatening situations deep down below the earth’s
surface.
The Kumba Virtual Reality Mine Design Centre, to be
built on the roof of the existing Mining Engineering
Building, will consist of a cylindrical theatre with 360˚
floor-to-ceiling screens on which the simulator will
project three-dimensional (3D) images. Sensors will
respond to a trainee’s actions and change the images
to provide a very life-like experience. Walking down a
mine tunnel, ducking below overhead pipes, avoiding
hazard zones or evacuating an injured miner will have
a very real feel to it, augmented by realistic surround-
sound audio effects.
In this way experiential learning will be taken to
the next level as trainees can be exposed and their
decision-making abilities honed in scenarios ranging
from accident reconstruction and risk analysis
to responding to potential hazards and testing
evacuation procedures.
The virtual technology will also allow for mining
engineers to be trained in mine design, with the
additional benefit of being able to visually portray
the effects of both good and bad practice. “This
will improve the ability of mining engineers to
consider and analyse the long-term environmental
consequences of their decisions. When applied in
the real world, this will result in significant economic,
environmental and safety benefits to the mining
industry and its nearby communities,” he says.
But there’s more – in addition to the virtual simulator,
a state-of-the-art lecture hall and offices for the
departmental faculty are to be constructed. It will also
house the new Mineral Resources Resilience Institute
(MRRI).
This new inter-departmental institute will create a
common platform for all departments involved in
mining and the mining industry, to share resources
and streamline research.
Prof Webber-Youngman explains that the need for
such a platform stems from the fact that departments
involved with mining had worked in isolation from one
another, and industry-based mine research in South
Africa had been scaled down in the last couple of
years.
“There is a difference between education and
training,” Prof Webber-Youngman points out.
“Traditionally, universities focused mostly on
education. The new centre will enable UP to focus
on mining research, education and quality training
to provide a much-needed service to the mining
industry.”
The vision for this exciting project was born in
2008 when Prof Webber-Youngman attended the
annual conference of the International Society of
Mining Professors (ISMP) in Australia. As part of the
programme he visited the Virtual Reality (VR) Suite
at the University of New South Whales (UNSW). He
was immediately inspired by this groundbreaking new
3D learning experience, at the time a world-first for
UNSW’s School of Mining Engineering.
“It is now five years later and it’s hard to believe that
we are actually on the brink of creating a similar
facility here. If all goes according to plan, building
should start in January 2014 and be completed in
The Kumba Virtual Reality Mine Design Centre will be built on the
roof of the existing Mining Engineering Building.
2015. I can see how this centre will be of great benefit
to UP and our students and I expect that people from
all over the continent and even abroad will come
here for this unique learning experience,” says Prof
Webber-Youngman.
While he has obviously been the driving force for
taking the project this far, Prof Webber-Youngman
makes it very clear that it would not have been
possible without the support and input from his
colleagues, the University’s leadership and key
players in the mining industry.
At this point the passionate engineer turns
philosopher, perhaps revealing the depth of what
must be an extraordinary skill set to bring this
industrious vision to life in a time when almost
everyone else seems set on mere survival. “A
university that does not have its collaboration
structures with industry in place can close its doors.
If you do not have a strategy to involve the industry
in your initiatives, you are in trouble. If you are not
excited about what you are doing, you will never get
them excited about it either.”
Prof Webber-Youngman’s excitement and passion
for the new project and what it offers is obviously
contagious. The estimated cost of completing the
Kumba Virtual Reality Mine Design Centre comes to
about R50 million. Mining giant Anglo American’s
Kumba Iron Ore has come to the party early and
shown their commitment with a R18 million donation
towards the project, hence the name of the centre.
Harmony Gold have pledged R4,7 million over three
years to sponsor numerical modelling and rock
engineering research, and Sasol Mining contributed
R4,2 million to the establishment of a Chair in Safety,
Health and the Environment at UP.
“We are really grateful to Kumba and the others
for making this happen at this time. In 2014 South
Africa will be hosting the annual conference of the
ISMP and the timing is just perfect. We are expecting
about 100 professors from different universities
in approximately 40 countries, and we are looking
forward to showcase what UP, South Africa and Africa
has to offer the mining industry.”
Virtual images give an idea of the 3D learning experience the Centre will offer.

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Die Departement Huisartskunde
is besig om gesondheidsorg in
en om Tshwane stap vir stap
wesenlik te verander deur hul
gemeenskapsgeoriënteerde
primêregesondheidsorg-program.
Dié Departement in die Universiteit van Pretoria
se Fakulteit Gesondheidswetenskappe doen
baanbrekerswerk met ’n program wat die basis van
gesondheidsorg in die land ingrypend kan verander.
Dit is deel van die Nasionale Departement
van Gesondheid en Nasionale
Gesondheidsorgsversekering (NGV) se pogings om
primêre gesondheidsorg in die land te herstruktureer.
Die Departement Huisartskunde werk sedert
2010 saam met die Gautengse Departement
van Gesondheid, die Tshwane-metro, verskeie
private besighede, algemene praktisyns en
inligtingstegnologiemaatskappye om ’n benadering
tot primêre gesondheidsorg binne gemeenskappe te
ontwikkel wat siektes proaktief takel en verbeterde
gesondheid in die algemeen bevorder. Daar is
spesifiek noue samewerking met die Tshwane-metro
om die projek binne die hele gebied uit te brei.
“Gemeenskapsgeoriënteerde gesondheidsorg is nie
soseer ’n gesondheidsprogram nie as ’n revolusie
in die wêreld van gesondheidsorg,” sê prof Jannie
Hugo, Hoof van die Departement Huisartskunde.
“Dis ’n fundamentele verandering van sorg wat moet
lei tot verbetering in gesondheid – veral waar dit die
nodigste is. Ons is trots en opgewonde om ’n kernrol
hierin te kan te speel. Dit is die eerste keer dat die
visie van primêre gesondheidsorg as ’n volwaardige
en volledige gesondheidsorgmodel binne bereik
gekom het.”
Die voordeel van dié soort sorg, sê hy, is dat
gesondheidswerkers ’n treetjie voor siektes
en veral epidemies kan kom. “Gewoonlik is
gesondheidswerkers by bepaalde statiese punte
buite dié gemeenskappe beskikbaar waar hul hulp
die nodigste is. Deur die sorg na die gemeenskap toe
te vat, in plaas daarvan om te wag dat hulle na die
betrokke punte kom, kan epidemies baie
INNOVERENDE
GESONDHEIDSORGPROJEK
BETREK BAIE BY UP
makliker beheer en die algemene gesondheid van ’n
gemeenskap verbeter word.”
Die rol van gesondheidswerkers by hospitale, klinieke
en praktyke bly steeds belangrik, maar omdat hulle
las verlig word, kan hulle op take fokus wat primêre
gesondheidsorg nie kan takel nie.
UP is sedert 2008 betrokke by die program. Tóé al
het die Departement Huisartskunde saam met ander
dissiplines in die Fakulteit Gesondheidswetenskappe
hom ten doel gestel om veral junior studente
vir praktiese opleiding uit die lesingsale na
gemeenskappe te neem. Die eerste verskuiwing
was van die tersiêre instelling na distrikshospitale
en daarna na klinieke. Aan die begin is eerste- tot
vyfdejaarstudente betrek by gesondheidsorg in
gemeenskapsklinieke, maar die program het intussen
só gevorder dat die studente nou uitreike na huise en
werksplekke binne gemeenskappe doen.
Vanjaar werk meestersgraadstudente in
gemeenskappe eerder as by instansies. Hul goeie
invloed is reeds waarneembaar. Die studente het nie
noodwendig insig in die gemeenskappe waarin hulle
werk nie, en daarom werk hulle ten nouste saam met
die gesondheidswerkers van ‘n betrokke gebied. Dit
help ook met verdere opleiding en navorsing sodat
siektes se houvas op gemeenskappe verbreek kan
word, sê prof Hugo. Vervolg op bl 22

23
TUKKIE
22
ONDERSTEPOORT
help met dieregesondheid in
Mamelodi
In 2011 het die Universiteit saam met die Foundation
of Professional Development en die Departement
Gesondheid sewe behoeftige areas geïdentifiseer
waar die uitreike sou plaasvind, waaronder Mamelodi,
Atteridgeville en Daspoort. Die rol van UP in die
projek is veral om te help met konsepontwikkeling
en navorsing, om data te bestuur en die betrokke
studente en gemeenskapswerkers deeglik op
te lei – asook opleiding binne die wykgegronde
uitreikprogramme te implementeer.
Prof Tessa Marcus (PhD) van die Departement
Huisartskunde het die eerste teksboek oor die
onderwerp geskryf, genaamd Community-oriented
primary care L2: Primary health, wat vanjaar tydens die
opening van die Daspoort-program bekendgestel is.
Die inhoud is ontwikkel vir
die nasionale kurrikulum
in primêre gesondheidsorg
wat by 12 FET-kolleges
landwyd aangebied word,
asook om verdere onderrig
in die professionele veld te
bevorder. Dit verduidelik
die beginsels van
gemeenskapsgeoriënteerde
primêre gesondheidsorg en
hoe dit toegepas kan word
in die praktyk op individue
en gesinne binne ’n gegewe
gemeenskap.
In 2012 het voor- en
nagraadse mediese studente vir die eerste keer saam
met gesondheidswerkers in die geïdentifiseerde
gemeenskappe begin werk. Tans vind meer as
12 000 studentebesoeke aan die gemeenskappe per
jaar plaas. Wykgebaseerde uitreike word ondersteun
deur spanne medici, onder wie verpleegsters, dokters,
gesondheidswerkers, dieetkundiges, tandartse,
aptekers en selfs fisioterapeute.
Daar is ’n behoefte aan ’n gebou in elk van die
uitreikwyke geïdentifiseer, aangesien studente en
gesondheidswerkers tans in tydelike geboue soos
klaskamers of kerksale werk.
Die Departement Argitektuur in die Fakulteit
Ingenieurswese, Bou-omgewing en Inligtingtegnologie
is nou ook betrek by die projek om navorsing-
en leernodes vir die uitreike te bou. Dié nodes,
wat gesamentlik deur Boukunde en mediese
studente ontwerp is, sal as ’n saamtrek- en
organiseringspunt vir die uitreike dien, waar studente,
gesondheidswerkers en ander betrokke partye kan
vergader, toerusting stoor, navorsing doen en in
rekenaars invoer. Hoewel die node-projek nou eers in
’n beplanningsfase is en goedkeuring en befondsing
nog verkry moet word, het dit reeds ’n toekenning van
UP se Departement Onderwysinnovasie gekry vir die
kreatiewe en innoverende nuwe tegnieke wat vir die
bou daarvan ingespan gaan word.
Hierdie projek bied uitstekende geleentheid
vir samewerking oor verskeie vakgebiede en
departemente binne die Universiteit heen. Studente
in inligtingtegnologie help met die ontwerp van
gesofistikeerde inligtingstegnologiestelsels vir
selfoonaanwending, aangesien data-insameling
tydens die uitreike met selfone plaasvind.
“Dit is ’n interdissiplinêre
projek met
samewerkingsgeleenthede vir
verskeie dissiplines. Buiten
die samewerking tussen
gesondheidswetenskappe,
boukunde en
inligtingtegnologie, kan
arbeidsterapie, fisioterapie,
tandheelkunde en selfs
spraakterapie betrek word,” sê
prof Hugo.
“Die projek word inderdaad
’n dinamiese, lewende
laboratorium om ’n
primêregesondheidsorg-stelsel
binne gemeenskappe te vestig en na te vors. Dié moet
dan gestabiliseer word deur institusionalisering om
dit ’n integrale deel van toekomstige gesondheidsorg
in ons land te maak – nie net binne die uitreikgebiede
van die Universiteit nie.”
Die Universiteit sal ’n integrale akademiese rol in die
ontwikkeling van só ’n landwye stelsel speel. Daar
word reeds beplan om die program in Mpumalanga
van stapel te stuur.
FACING REALITY
WITH DIGNITY
Few institutions have the ability to change lives
so completely, and so quickly, as the University’s
Department of Prosthodontics in the School of
Dentistry, Faculty of Health Sciences.
Under the guidance of Dr Cules van den Heever, Head
of the Department, maxillo-facial prosthodontics and
the accompanying surgical procedures have restored
form and function to the faces of many state patients
- people who were either born with facial deformities
or where these were caused through disease,
accidents or surgery.
“Some of these patients lived reclusive lives and were
too ashamed to go out in public because of massive
deformities to their faces. Some, for example, did not
have noses, ears or eyes (see p26),” says Dr Van den
Heever.
In a world and at a time when so much emphasis is placed on physical appearance,
the University of Pretoria’s Department of Prosthodontics is restoring that dignity for
many people with facial deformities.
By Delia du Toit
Dr Cules van den Heever, Dr Hermann
Kluge and Dr Johan Kluge in the theatre
during the operation on Ms Mahkge.
Vanjaar werk
meestersgraadstudente in
gemeenskappe eerder as
by instansies.
‘
‘ Continue on p 24

25
TUKKIE
24
“The face and head are probably the most important
parts of our physical anatomy. They house the brain,
the eyes for sight, the nose for breathing and smell,
the mouth for eating and taste, the ears for hearing
and the facial muscles that express emotion. Besides
all these physical functions of the face, a person’s
ego and self-esteem are intrinsically linked to it. It is
understandable that any facial defect would have a
massive impact on someone’s quality of life.”
In 2010, after seeing so many of these patients, Dr
Van den Heever and a small team of technicians
started delivering a community service by making
and installing facial prosthetics, along with the
accompanying necessary surgery, for indigent people
with deformities. 54 patients have since been treated
at the University and 62 are on a waiting list pending
funding.
With the demand for this service on the increase, it
became necessary to look for funding, as Dr Van den
Heever paid for the procedures out of his own pocket.
He had started travelling to Kimberley once a month
to serve the Northern Cape communities, as well as
to Bloemfontein to help patients in the Free State.
“I left my private practice and started working at the
University after I had had a heart attack six years ago
and needed to take things a little easier. But I soon
became as busy as ever because of the huge demand
for these procedures and prosthetics. So many people
need help, and I believe that no-one deserves living
the life they have to endure until they can receive
prosthetics.”
Disfigurement, be it through birth defects, accidents,
domestic violence, or as a result of operations to
remove cancerous tumours, has an impact on the way
people interact with others and how society reacts
to them. The disfigurement may not only threaten
the life of the sufferers, but also their identity. In
addition to social exclusion, these patients may
experience other problems that result from the loss
of facial tissue such as difficulties with chewing and
swallowing food, breathing and speech impairment.
Many can be assisted through operations that
reduce the extent of the deformities and improve the
associated health problems.
The Advancement Division of the Department of
University Relations has responded to Dr Van den
Heever and his team’s need for financial assistance
through embarking on a fundraising drive to raise
funds from donors for the work they do; as the
procedures are generally regarded as cosmetic and
are not funded by medical aid associations. However,
patients seen by Dr Van den Heever and his team
simply do not have the money for these expensive
procedures.
Customised prosthetics come at a steep price,
averaging R10 000 per patient. Making prosthetics
require specialised artistic skill, and it is a field that is
constantly evolving and improving. Prosthetic eyes,
ears and noses require careful pigmentation and the
matching of skin texture, while materials such as
silicone, skin pigments, iris buttons and eye paints,
titanium implants and adhesives are required for its
fabrication. Many of the components and materials
used must be imported. Most are the same as
those used for cinematic special effects and are not
available in the country, which drastically increase the
price.
Apart from being a scarce skill and a difficult job,
there are only few centres in the country where these
patients can seek help. While UP trains students
in the field as clinical assistants, there are only five
people nationally who can perform the operations or
manufacture the prostheses. “It is a very technical
and specialised field. One must have the passion and
commitment for this field as some of the patients
have suffered much and are difficult to work with.
One has to have a very good understanding of their
problems and how to help them,” says Dr Van den
Heever.
“I truly think I was meant to help these patients. Once
I started doing this work after my heart attack, it
had a profound effect on my life. I believe I am doing
what I was meant to do with my life now. Everyone
deserves to live with dignity, and I am happy to
help some people do that. Their profound thanks is
payment enough for me.”
Young woman can now face the world for
the first time
Dr Van den Heever and two other specialists made medical history when they recently performed extensive
maxillo-facial surgery on Miss Ennica Mahkge (19), who was born without a nose and nasal passages. Only
some 50 cases of this syndrome are known in the world and this procedure was the first to establish new nasal
passages and tear ducts for the patient. The specialists also performed procedures on her jaw to allow for a
dental implant and she received a customised nasal prosthesis.
The team, Dr Van den Heever, Dr Hermann Kluge (maxillo-facial and oral surgeon) and Dr Johan Kluge (ear,
nose and throat specialist), performed the procedure free of charge at Medi-Clinic Kloof Hospital in Pretoria.
This hospital donated the use of its theatre and aftercare facilities. The nasal implants and the external
prosthesis were sponsored by ASM Consultants and the pre-operative models were sponsored by the Rapid
Prototyping Unit at the Central University of Technology
in Bloemfontein. The Dis-Chem Foundation sponsored
the medicine required via the Radio 702 Birthday Wish
Campaign.
Ms Mahkge first came to the Oral and Dental Hospital of
the University as a seven-year old, and received an external
nasal prosthesis, but then disappeared for ten years. It is
understood that she believed she might lose her social grant
if she underwent further treatment.
She has since lost both her parents and cares for her
mentally disabled sister. While her sister cannot work,
Ms Mahkge could not attend school and so her earning
potential is limited.
“The operation improved her facial appearance and it is
expected that this will have a positive impact on her ability
to interact socially as well as her earning potential,” says Dr
Van den Heever.
The Department of Prosthodontics of the University and the
Gauteng Department of Health have committed themselves
to assist more people with facial deformities in a campaign
called ‘Operation Face to Face the World’. The Fundraising
Section is currently procuring funds to assist more patients
like Ms Mahkge, helping them overcome their deformities
and health problems while re-integrating them into
everyday society.
‘
‘
The operation improved her facial
appearance and it is expected that
this will have a positive impact on
her ability to interact socially as
well as her earning potential
Dr Cules van den Heever with a pre-operative model
for facial surgery.

27
TUKKIE
26
Animal Health and
Zoonoses at the
University of Pretoria
The recently launched Institutional
Research Theme for Animal and
Zoonotic Diseases (AZD-IRT) at
the University of Pretoria focuses on
disease management, drawing upon a
rich mix of transdisciplinary research
areas in order to address human and
animal health issues of both national
and global importance.
Human well-being and status of agricultural markets
are closely linked to animals and animal diseases.
Diseases of importance that are addressed at the
University include African horse sickness, avian
influenza, bovine tuberculosis as well as ticks
and tick-borne diseases such as heartwater and
anaplasmosis. Outbreaks and lack of control of such
diseases will halt large-scale animal production
affecting food security as well as international
trade. It can cripple economies
and result in large-scale
unemployment.
We are also witnessing an
increase in new emerging diseases
and especially zoonotic diseases
that are caused by viruses
and other microbes through
transmission from animals to
humans. Familiar examples of zoonoses include
influenza, anthrax, rabies and Rift Valley Fever. Over
60% of all known pathogens affecting humans are
zoonotic in origin. On average, the emergence of new
diseases occurs every eight months, of which more
than 70% originate as animal diseases.
Transdisciplinary solutions for disease
challenges
The University with the faculties of Veterinary
Science, Health Sciences and Natural and Agricultural
Sciences (combining seven departments) is
uniquely placed as a leader in local, continental and
international animal and zoonotic disease research.
This advantage is based on its strengths to contribute
towards the entire animal disease research chain
which addresses disease surveillance, diagnostics
and control measurements. These broad fields are
supported by a well-established basic research core
and infrastructure across three faculties.
Within this capacity the University regularly
contributes to the national priority by responding
to outbreaks of zoonotic and other important
animal diseases in Southern Africa. In doing so, it
complements the important role of government-
funded agencies such as the Onderstepoort
Veterinary Institute (OVI) and the National Institute
of Communicable Diseases (NICD).
Directed by Professor Henk
Huismans, the University
initiated the AZD-IRT in 2011.
It draws upon the considerable
expertise of a large number
of researchers and involves
over 17 research programmes
in research focus areas such
as epidemiology, diagnostics,
ecology, disease modelling,
molecular biology, genomics and the development of
novel vaccines and therapeutics.
In the field of zoonoses, research complements the
larger umbrella of One Health, a worldwide strategy
for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and
communications in all aspects of health care for
humans, animals and the environment. Several
research programmes in the IRT directly support this.
Over
of all known pathogens affecting
humans are zoonotic in origin.
60%
What are Institutional
Research Themes?
The University has consolidated its traditional research strengths by supporting the
development of multidisciplinary Institutional Research Themes. IRTs are primarily directed
towards fostering a collaborative environment across faculties that serve as a strong platform
for interactions with industry, private enterprises and governmental agencies. By embracing a
collaborative, knowledge-sharing philosophy, IRTs are ideally placed to strengthen human and
scarce skill capacities with the aim of addressing Africa’s most pressing socio-economic and
environmental problems related to animal health and zoonoses.
Researchers of the virology research group (Dr Wanda Markotter) together with the researchers of the Rabies
Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the USA, collecting bats for detection of zoonotic pathogens
in a cave in Kenya.

29
TUKKIE
28
Research
spotlight: The
control of tick-
borne diseases
Ticks and tick-borne diseases place a major
constraint on livestock production in South Africa.
Currently, a provisional estimation of revenue lost
due to cattle losses range between R1,3 billion and
R3,7 billion per year.
In the research group of Dr Christine Maritz-Olivier,
the focus is on studying various aspects of tick
control. Emphasis is placed on the phylogeography of
cattle ticks, principles underlying acaricide resistance
as well as the development of vaccines that hinder
tick infestations on livestock. This work entails
various cutting-edge technologies such as reverse
vaccinology, veterinary immunology and vaccine
formulation.
‘The University is uniquely
placed as a leader in
local, continental and
international animal and
zoonotic disease research,
thanks to its strengths
across the entire field’s
research chain.
Professor Henk Huismans, Director
of the Animal and Zoonotic Diseases
Institutional Research Theme, University
of Pretoria
‘
Dr Wanda Markotter’s team collecting flying insects for
zoonoses studies.
initiative. Researchers in the Zoonoses Research
Unit (ZRU) in the Department of Medical Virology
study the epidemiology, pathogenesis and ecology
of zoonotic viruses in both humans and animals.
With the aid of the BSL-3 laboratory, the researchers
are able to safely study virus isolates that cause
human diseases. The research is carried out in
collaboration with the NICD as well as the US-based
Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Building a collaborative knowledge hub
In recent years rapid advances in the field of
genomics, systems biology and reverse genetics
have enabled researchers to re-examine long-
standing problems. Several initiatives in the
AZD-IRT are focused on the development and
application of these technologies, many of
which are already making a significant impact in
vaccine development and the development of new
diagnostic control strategies. One such an initiative
is the development of a reverse genetics system for
the African horse sickness virus. The system will
enable researchers to develop a new generation of
vaccines for this economically important virus and it
will support studies focused on determining why it
causes such a lethal disease.
Other important research focus areas include the
surveillance and improvement in the diagnosis and
control of the disease-causing microbes associated
with the economically important diseases such
as rabies as well as poultry and other production
animal diseases. The recent appointment of
Prof Celia Abolnik as the Chair in Poultry Health
and Production illustrates some of the capacity
and industry-related links in this economically
important field. A very important further element
in the broader landscape of managing animal
and zoonotic diseases concerns the ability to
understand and apply the flood of current molecular
and surveillance data in disease control. The sheer
complexity involved in applying this information
requires sustained collaboration across a broad
range of stakeholders. The AZD-IRT is aimed at
directing its efforts toward becoming a knowledge-
sharing hub that can further optimise cooperative
research in zoonoses and animal diseases.
The disease-causing organisms and their hosts
show little regard for artificially drawn borders. In
this respect, we too should follow their example by
ignoring traditional, self-limiting boundaries.
Research
spotlight:
Combating the
threat of rabies
Rabies is a deadly viral disease that affects mammals,
culminating in an acute infection of the brain. Dog
rabies is endemic throughout Africa and is the source
of rabies in humans. The most effective way to
prevent human rabies is by controlling the disease
in the dog reservoir. The eradication of dog rabies is
the ultimate objective in fighting this disease in the
modern era.
Professor Louis Nel’s AZD-IRT research group is
central to a programme aimed at demonstrating
the feasibility of dog rabies eradication in the
developing world. Apart from epidemiological
modelling, new recombinant rabies vaccines and
an immunocontraceptive vaccine to support rabies
control and dog population management are
important research themes within the AZD-IRT.
The testing of a recently developed recombinant vaccine
against ticks forms part of a cattle trial (pictured), led by Dr
Christine Maritz-Olivier.

31
TUKKIE
30
As the only Faculty of Veterinary
Science in the country, the University
of Pretoria is the only tertiary
institution with the full set of faculties
that would allow the development of
the One Health concept, nationally
and regionally in the Southern African
Development Community (SADC)
with a focus on the animal/human/
ecosystem interface.
Over the last 50 years, the impact of emerging, re-
emerging and especially zoonotic diseases on the
world’s economy, and specifically animal and human
populations, has prompted a more collaborative
effort between animal and human professionals in
addressing emerging and other global health threats.
The severe impact of pollution on environmental,
animal and human health throughout the world has
highlighted the importance of ecosystem health. It is
increasingly accepted that these challenges can only
be addressed by One Health approaches. The concept
of ‘One Health’ was defined as the collaborative effort
of multiple disciplines working locally, nationally and
globally to attain optimal health for people, animals
and the environment.
Prof Koos Coetzer is the Deputy Dean responsible
for Research, Postgraduate Studies and
Internationalisation at the University of Pretoria’s
Faculty of Veterinary Science. He is also the president
of the Association of Institutions for Tropical
Veterinary Medicine (AITVM) that had its 14th
conference at the end of August in Johannesburg. The
AITVM is a foundation of 24 veterinary faculties and
livestock institutes based in Africa, Asia and Europe.
The objective of the AITVM is to improve human
health and quality of life by means of increased and
safe food production in tropical regions through
enhancement of research, training and education in
veterinary medicine and livestock production within
the framework of sustainable development.
Prof Coetzer says Africa has a rich and diverse fauna
and flora, unique biodiversity and cultures as well
UP’s One Healthtraining and research platform
benefits communities
Continue on p 32
as ecosystems of an unparalleled richness. “The
challenges to serve and sustain these ecosystems by
One Health approaches are enormous. It is fair to
state that the human-animal-ecosystem interfaces
in much of the continent are unique and more
complicated than elsewhere.”
Trans-boundary animal diseases and zoonoses
represent a major constraint to the development
of the predominantly agricultural economy in rural
Africa and elsewhere where communities depend on
livestock and crop production for their livelihoods.
Rapidly expanding human and livestock populations
lead to closer interactions between humans, domestic
animals and wildlife at the interface which lead to the
emergence and re-emergence of diseases among all
host compartments.
In South Africa the creation and development of
Transfrontier Peace Parks, specifically the Great
Limpopo Transfrontier Park (total area 35 000 km2
)
links the National Kruger Park with Gonarezhou
National Park in Zimbabwe, and with the Limpopo
National Park in Mozambique. The UP is in the
process of establishing a One Health training and
research platform at the Hans Hoheisen Research
Station adjacent to the Kruger Park’s Orpen Gate. The
University and the Peace Parks Foundation launched
the Transfrontier Conservation Area-Veterinary
Programme (TFCA-VP) in 2005 to address the impact
of the various diseases of wildlife and domestic
animals at the interface of communities and their
livestock with conservation areas.
Prof Coetzer says efforts to address disease
threats emanating from such a situation have been
inadequate. Animal and human health disciplines
have evolved separately and the respective sectors
have largely operated in silos with little horizontal
integration. Strategies aimed at the design and
implementation of disease prevention and control has
not been holistic due to weak collaboration between
different health domains. Prof Coetzer says the
world learned a major lesson during the fight against
influenza pandemic threats, especially the highly
pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The lesson was
that multidisciplinary and multi-sectoral approaches
are needed at all levels in order to adequately manage
Trans-boundary animal diseases and zoonoses represent a major constraint to the development of
the agricultural economy in rural Africa.

33
TUKKIE
32
disease emergencies. The important role of wildlife
and other components of the ecosystem in disease
ecology has equally come into sharper focus as an
ever increasing number of emerging diseases in
recent times has been traced to wildlife.
A new generation of scientists is required with unified
scientific approaches. Such scientists should be able
to think holistic and ‘out-of-the-box’ and have an
ability to strategically operate in multi-disciplinary
teams to resolve the complex challenges posed by
the modern world. According to Prof Coetzer the
One Health approach in research programmes and
as a prominent feature in under- and postgraduate
curricula will assist to develop mind-sets that
will apply the One Health concept for the benefit
of human well-being, and animal and ecosystem
health. Increasingly, major multinational and non-
governmental organisations, which support research
efforts financially, require multidisciplinary and
inter-institutional approaches as a prerequisite for
approving funding, thus recognising the relevance and
success of such a multidisciplinary approach.
The One Health approach is embraced and supported
by global health organisations such as the World
Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), the United
Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
UP’s One Health Platform
The One Health Platform of the University of Pretoria
consists of two components: An institutional platform
at the University supporting research, teaching and
learning and continuing professional development
in One Health. The second platform is the field-
based platform at the Hans Hoheisen Wildlife
Research Station (HHWRS) with a well equiped
laboratory supporting applied training, research and
community engagement. The combined capacity and
infrastructure of the institutional and field-based
platforms provide a unique platform for training and
research based on the One Health concept.
Research and training programmes such as the
Mnisi Community Programme (MCP), the Hluvukani
Animal Clinic (HAC), and HHWRS are eminently
suited to school students and researchers locally
and internationally in One Health. This will foster a
multidisciplinary approach to addressing the complex
challenges and to develop sustainable solutions for
the problems associated with livestock/wildlife/
human/ecosystem at the interface.
The first One Health Summer School hosted by the Faculty of Veterinary Science involved staff and students from UP, the
Royal Veterinary College, University of Utrecht and Iowa State University. The South African Centre for Infectious Diseases
(SACIDS), the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD) and the African Union Interafrican
Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) were also represented.

35
TUKKIE
34
Vir Jacob Modiba was sy eerste
kennismaking met Tukkies se
‘UP with SCIENCE’-inisiatief ’n
keerpunt in sy lewe.
As ’n Graad 10-leerling aan
die Hoërskool W F Nkomo
in Atteridgeville en kind uit
’n behoeftige familie was die
kanse gering dat hy ooit aan
’n universiteit sou studeer of
eendag ’n senior pos in die
mynbedryf sou beklee – totdat die
Universiteit van Pretoria se unieke
wetenskapverrykingsprogram
hom die geleentheid gebied het.
“Die program het my toekoms verander,” vertel
Modiba vanuit sy kantoor by Anglo American
Platinum waar hy die bestuurder: geografiese
inligtingstelsels (GIS) is. “Dit het die wêreld van
die wetenskap vir my oopgemaak en my aan ’n wye
verskeidenheid beroepsmoontlikhede blootgestel.”
Modiba se ervaring is lankal nie meer uniek nie.
Sedert die loodsing van ‘UP with SCIENCE’ in 1998 het
meer as 350 leerlinge van hoërskole in die Tshwane-
omgewing reeds die geleentheid
aangegryp om met volle beurse
aan die Universiteit se Fakulteit
Natuur- en Landbouwetenskappe
te studeer – en sowat 90 het oor
die afgelope tien jaar nagraadse
studies aangepak.
Wat begin het as ’n
verrykingsprogram om leerlinge
vertroud te maak met die wonder
van die natuurwetenskappe,
het ontwikkel in ’n belangrike
voedingbron van jong studente
en navorsers wat uiteindelik die
ganse Suid-Afrikaanse
samelewing verryk.
Vir Helga Nordhoff, die projekbestuurder van ‘UP
with SCIENCE’ is die grootste beloning om te sien
hoe studente, wat in hul graad 10-jaar by die projek
betrokke raak, uiteindelik hul studies voltooi en hul
grade verwerf.
Vyftig leerlinge uit Graad 10 kry elke jaar die
geleentheid om by die ‘UP with SCIENCE’-projek,
wat oor drie jaar strek, betrokke te raak. Inligting en
Leerlinge betrokke by die ‘UP with SCIENCE’-projek besoek die Departement Dierkunde as deel van die
wetenskapverrykingsprogram.
Jacob Modiba (regs) en Edmund Magalanyane
toe hulle as hoërskoolleerders 13 jaar gelede
‘n spesiale toekenning gewen het vir die beste
webblad van ‘n Telkom 1000-skool met hul
webblad “Financial Problems of South Africa”.
‘UP WITH SCIENCE’
verryk leerders en
gemeenskap deur kennis
en onderrig

37
TUKKIE
36
aanbiedingsmetodes en
verslagskrywing. Hulle
word aangemoedig om deel
te neem aan soortgelyke
navorsingsprojekte en
wetenskapekspo’s vir
hoërskoolleerlinge.
In die finale jaar van die
program bied die leerders ’n
wetenskapvertoning by verskeie
laerskole in die omgewing aan
om so ’n wyer belangstelling in
die wetenskap by jonger leerlinge
aan te moedig.
“Effektiewe kommunikasie van
natuurwetenskaplike navorsing
en studieresultate is van groter-
wordende belang en ons poog
om deur ‘UP with SCIENCE’ ’n
blywende bydrae op hierdie
gebied te lewer,” gaan Nordhoff
voort.
‘UP with SCIENCE’ is ook ’n
belangrike bemarkingsvenster
vir die Universiteit van
Pretoria. “Ons leerlinge word
ambassadeurs vir Tukkies
en hul volgehoue prestasies
met nagraadse studie en
navorsingsprojekte lewer
’n bydrae tot die groei van
wetenskap in Suid-Afrika,” vertel
Nordhoff.
Vir Jacob Modiba, en talle
leerlinge wat hom gevolg het, het
‘UP with SCIENCE’ besondere
geleenthede geskep om sy kennis
te verryk en vandag bydraes
tot die breër Suid-Afrikaanse
samelewing te maak. “Ek sal
‘UP with SCIENCE’ nooit genoeg
kan bedank vir die deure wat dit
vir my oopgemaak het nie,” sê
Modiba.
Vir meer besonderhede oor
‘UP with SCIENCE’ kan Helga
Nordhoff by 012 420 2638 /
3767 of upwithscience@up.ac.za
gekontak word.
Michael Ellis met die Junior Captain
Scott Gedenkmedalje in Dierkundige
Wetenskappe wat deur die Suid-
Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap
en Kuns aan hom toegeken is. Die
Akademie ken jaarliks die medalje
toe vir die beste MSc-verhandeling
in die Dierkundige of Plantkundige
Wetenskappe aan ’n Afrikaanse
universiteit. Die titel van Michael
se verhandeling is Homeostasis:
Humidity and water relations in
honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera).
Sy toesighouers was dr Vincent
Dietmann, prof Sue Nicolson en prof
Robin Crewe.
Leerlinge werk in ‘n chemie-laboratorium as deel van die
‘UP with SCIENCE’-program.
Tydens ‘n uitstappie na die Tswaingkrater maak leerlinge
van naderby kennis met plantkunde en geologie.
bemarkingsmateriaal
word jaarliks aan
sowat 180 skole in die
Tshwane-metro gestuur
en groot moeite word
gedoen om hoofde,
leerkragte en ouers oor
die langtermynwaarde
van die projek in te lig.
Deelnemende skole
nomineer belowende
leerlinge. Applikante vul
’n biografiese vraelys in
en skryf ook ’n opstel
oor hul belangstelling in die natuurwetenskappe.
Belowende leerlinge word gekeur met
inagneming van geslag, kultuur- en taalgroep
om diversiteit binne elke jaargroep te verseker.
Die projek word as deel van Sci-Enza, UP se
wetenskapsentrum op die Hatfieldkampus vir
gemeenskapsbetrokkenheidsprojekte, aangebied.
Volgens Nordhoff ondersteun meeste
departemente in die Fakulteit Natuur-
en Landbouwetenskappe die projek
baie goed. Leerlinge word blootgestel
aan die wydste moontlike vertakkinge
van die wetenskap en dosente of
nagraadse studente is betrokke by die
aanbied van lesings, eksperimente en
navorsingsprojekte.
Van die leerlinge word verwag om die
Universiteit een Saterdag per maand
vir lesings of uitstappies te besoek
terwyl verrykingskursusse ook tydens
die wintervakansie aangebied word.
“Ons stel streng vereistes aan die
deelnemers en baie van hulle maak
groot opofferings om al die aktiwiteite
by te woon,” merk Nordhoff op. “Maar
die waarde wat uit die blootstelling
aan die akademiese omgewing geput
word en die uiteindelike beloning van
beursgeld vir studies aan UP maak dit
die moeite werd.”
Ná hul aanvanklike keuring teken
die leerlinge ’n ooreenkoms met die
Universiteit ingevolge waarvan hul
volle beurse vir voorgraadse studie
in departemente binne die Fakulteit
Natuur- en Landbouwetenskappe
gewaarborg word. Die voorwaarde is dat hulle aan die
Universiteit se akademiese toelatingsvereistes moet
voldoen. Die beurse geld ook nie vir voornemende
studente in ander studierigtings nie.
Die ‘UP with SCIENCE’-program is propvol
interessante en uitdagende projekte om die tieners
se belangstelling te prikkel. In die 2013-program word
daar byvoorbeeld onderwerpe aangeraak soos ‘Water
quality and environmental health’ (Departement
Chemie); ‘Mapping rocks’ (Departement Geologie);
‘Physics in a flash’ (Departement Fisika); en ‘Campus
from the ground UP – Small things that run the world’
(Departement Dierkunde).
“Ons stel die leerlinge bloot aan ’n kennisgegronde
benadering tot die wetenskap,” sê Nordhoff. “Hier
leer hulle presies hoe wetenskaplike navorsers te
werk gaan om probleme te benader en oplossings
in belang van die samelewing te vind. Hulle begin
verstaan dat die wetenskap oplossings bied vir baie
van die daaglikse probleme waarmee gemeenskappe
worstel, soos water- en kragvoorsiening, besoedeling
en ekologiese volhoubaarheid.”
Die 50 leerlinge in elke
jaargroep word weer in kleiner
studiegroepe verdeel en aan
’n spesifieke departement
toegewys. Lesings word
afgewissel met uitstappies na
natuurbesienswaardighede
en praktiese klasse waar
leerlinge die geleentheid
kry om self by eksperimente
betrokke te raak.
’n Besoek aan die bekende
Tswaingkrater, noord van
Mabopane, is byvoorbeeld
’n jaarlikse hoogtepunt
omdat die omgewing
van die impakkrater
’n wye verskeidenheid
geleenthede vir navorsing
in dierkunde, plantkunde,
geologie, landbou-
ekonomie en verskeie ander
natuurwetenskaplike rigtings
bied.
Leerlinge ontvang ook
onderrig en ondersteuning in
navorsingsmetodes, rekenaar-
en internetvaardighede,
Renée Hlozek is in 2012 aangewys
as een van die Mail & Guardian se
‘200 mees uitstaande jongmense’.
Haar vroegste kennismaking met
wetenskaplike navorsing was deur
‘UP with SCIENCE’ wat sy ook
onlangs besoek het om die huidige
leerlinge te inspireer.
Na voltooiing van ’n BSc-graad
by Tukkies het Renée later ’n
Rhodesbeurs ontvang vir doktorale
studies in Astrofisika by Oxford.
Tans is sy verbonde aan Princeton-
universiteit waar sy navorsing oor
die oerknal doen en betrokke is by
wetenskapkommunikasie in skole
en tronke.
Helga Nordhoff

39
TUKKIE
38
New York
The University of Pretoria has maintained a
cooperation agreement with Fordham University
since 2003. The relationship is one of UP’s most
active and successful international cooperation
agreements and has resulted in many exchanges of
students and staff on reciprocal visits.
The Dean of Economic and Management Sciences,
Prof Elsabe Loots, the Deputy-Dean of Humanities,
Prof Hennie Stander and the Director of University
Relations, Prof Denver Hendricks, visited Fordham
University from 1 to 4 July 2013.
Apart from attending a programme of meetings with
high-level Fordham staff, the UP delegation also met
with postgraduate Tukkie students spending time at
Fordham University and a number of students from
South African private-sector companies who had
participated in a five-week exchange visit to Fordham.
The delegation visited the South African Consulate
in New York and was received by Ms Lebo Mokoena,
an UP alumna. The alumni function was one of
the highlights of the visit and was attended by 24
guests. The alumni were keen to find out more about
developments at UP and there was much enthusiasm
for the University’s future plans.
Alumni nuus
news
Strengthening ties with alumni
The University of Pretoria hosted several international functions for UP
alumni in the past few months. The visit of a UP delegation to Fordham
University in New York included an alumni event. Functions involving
UP alumni were also held in Auckland, New Zealand, Perth, Australia,
Windhoek in neighbouring Namibia and the UK, where the UK Alumni
Committee organised an alumni weekend in Oxford.
Prof Hennie Stander, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of
Humanities with Ms Nicole Montañez.
Mr Elron Awase (left) and Prof Denver Hendricks, Director
of the Department of University Relations.
Prof Elsabe Loots, Dean of the Faculty of Economic and
Management Sciences, addresses the guests.
Auckland, New Zealand
On the evening of 11 July the University of Pretoria
hosted a function for alumni living in Auckland, New
Zealand at the conference centre of the Auckland
University of Technology (AUT) in the Auckland inner
city.
Among the alumni were Dr Mike Bondesio and
his wife, Magda. On the New Zealand side, Dr
Bondesio, a staff member at AUT, played a key role in
facilitating the event. Guests also included a former
UP staff member, Prof Pieter Kachelhoffer. Mrs
Colette Wood attended the event proudly sporting
her Tuks blazer. Many of the couples who attended
were both UP alumni. One of those present, alumnus
Dr Yao-Kun Liu, recalled that he had been the only
Chinese student studying at UP in the 1990s, which
was a reminder of just how far the University has
come in terms of diversity and internationalisation.
Ms Melissa-Ann Smit, UP alumna,
with Mr Jay Kachelhoffer.
Prof Roelf Sandenbergh, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering,
Built Environment and Information Technology, Prof Pieter
Kachelhoffer, former UP employee, Prof de la Rey and Dr
Mike Bondesio. Dr Bondesio is from the Auckland University
of Technology, who assisted with the arrangement of the UP
alumni event.
Mr Piet Smalberger, Ms Karin and Mr Louis Botes, and Mr
Jack Kocks.
Mr John Cullen (left) and Dr Yao-Kun Liu, an UP alumnus.
The Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Cheryl de la Rey, addresses the guests at the
alumni event in Auckland.
Prof Roelf Sandenbergh, Dean of the Faculty
Engineering, Built Environment and Information
Technology, welcomed the guests. This was followed
by a presentation by the Vice-Chancellor and
Principal, Prof Cheryl de la Rey. It was clear from
the response of the audience that the presentation
triggered fond memories. Those present were also
impressed with the new infrastructural developments
on campus and the University’s continued
commitment to academic excellence.

41
TUKKIE
40
nuus
news
UP-alumni kuier in Oxford
UP se TuksAlumni-groep in die Verenigde
Koninkryk (VK) het op 13 en 14 Julie ’n
informele netwerknaweek in Oxford gehou.
Alumni het mekaar Saterdagoggend by ’n
restaurant ontmoet en die naweek se kuier met
’n koppie koffie begin.
Alumnus Quartus Trichardt was die Oxford-
toergids en het spesifieke verbintenisse met
Suid-Afrika uitgewys, soos die kroeg waar die
outeurs JRR Tolkien en CS Lewis ontmoet het.
Die Oxford-alumni het almal op ’n drankie by
een van die oudste kroeë in Oxford getrakteer.
Middagete was ’n piekniek onder ’n boom in
‘n park in heerlike somerweer met die kwik op
300
C. Die dag is afgesluit met ’n braai aan huis
by Frank en Beverley Adam, wat hul mede-
alumni met paptert, waatlemoen, boerewors en
hope gasvryheid verras het.
Sondagoggend se hoogtepunt was ‘n
huiskonsert deur die pianis en Tuks-laureaat
Ben Schoeman. Dit is deur 32 mense
bygewoon.
Kyk gerus na die foto’s op Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a
.10151762380366133.1073741830.26615221132
&type=1&l=2f0feb75aa
en op The South African Newspaper London se
webbladsy:
http://www.thesouthafrican.com
photos?album=1&gallery=175
Dr Esther Kalambi
Matengu and Dr
Frans Ndotoro were
among the guests at
the Windhoek alumni
function.
Members of the Windhoek UP Alumni Committee
photographed with Prof De la Rey. From left to right are Mr
Kennedy Haraseb, Ms Susan van der Merwe, Prof De la Rey,
Ms Stephanie Nawases and Ms Retha Steinmann.
Windhoek, Namibia
The alumni function held in Windhoek, Namibia on 19
July 2013 was attended by 85 alumni. Two Namibian
schools were represented at the event. Alumni
appreciated the opportunity to speak with the Vice-
Chancellor and Principal, Prof Cheryl de la Rey. It was
remarkable that more than half the invited alumni
were younger than 35 years.
Messrs Ibraheem Zakaria, Gerhard Liputa and Komeine
Natanga
Tuks-alumni om ‘n braaivuur in Oxford. Derde van regs staan die
pianis, Ben Schoeman.
Tuks-alumni by Hertford-brug, oftewel ‘Brug van Sugte’ in Oxford.
Prof Andries Breytenbach, emeritusprofessor en voormalige
Adjunkdekaan van die Fakulteit Teologie, is op 27 Junie
deur die SA Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns vereer met
die Ds Pieter van Drimmelen-medalje, ter erkenning van sy
bydrae ten opsigte van die Afrikaanse Bybelvertaling.
Die Akademie vereer prof Breytenbach omdat hy tans ‘n onvervangbare bydrae
lewer tot die nuwe vertaling van die Bybel in Afrikaans en vir sy betrokkenheid by
die jongste Afrikaanse Psalmberyming. As projekleier en brontaalkenner het hy ‘n
reusebydrae gelewer tot die finale isiNdebele-Bybel. Die Departement
Ou-Testamentiese Wetenskap in die Fakulteit Teologie het vroeër vanjaar, op 15 Maart,
ook hiervoor akademiese erkenning aan prof Breytenbach verleen.
SA Akademie vereer
prof Breytenbach
Prof Robin Crewe received the
prestigious Harry Oppenheimer
Fellowship Award for 2012, making
him the first UP recipient of the Award
and the thirteenth since its inception in
2001.
This announcement was made by the Board of the
Oppenheimer Memorial Trust on 9 May.
The Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Awards were
initiated to commemorate efforts to support human
and intellectual development, to advance scholarship
and to encourage ideas. The Fellowship has a
monetary value of R1 million and is considered a
special investment to encourage and acknowledge
excellence in scholarship in all its forms.
Prof Crewe, an NRF-rated scientist, is a founder
member of the Academy of Science of South Africa,
and a Fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa,
the Royal Entomological Society of London and the
World Academy of Science. He serves as a council
member of the Academy of Science of the Developing
World and chairs the Board of the Network of African
Science Academies. He retired from his position as
acting Senior Vice-Principal at the end of June to
return to work on honeybee research. He is also
the director of the Centre for the Advancement of
Scholarship at UP.
The Award will enable Prof Crewe to produce a
monograph on the life history of the honeybee, Apis
mellifera, in collaboration with Prof Robin Moritz of
the University of Halle-Wittenberg. The Social Insect
Research Group at UP will continue with its research
on social parasitism in southern African honeybees,
with a view to resolving a persistent problem in the
apicultural industry.
Prof Robin Crewe: first UP recipient of
the HARRY OPPENHEIMER FELLOWSHIP
Prof Robin Crewe with his wife, Mary and son, Alastair, after
the announcement of the Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship
Award.

Tukkie summer v2_n19

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