SAEON and National Ports Authority groom the next generation of coastal scientists

It is well publicised that with the upturn in the South African economy and government’s commitment to a number of large infrastructure projects, including railways, port expansions, roads and power stations there is a shortage of skilled professionals, particularly engineers and project managers. Moreover, there is an even greater shortage of skilled black professionals.

What is not well known is that along with engineers, South Africa has a lack of young black natural scientists. So the question one asks is how is this of relevance to the National Ports Authority (NPA)?

The answer lies in the fact that the NPA’s existing operational and future expansion plans rely significantly on environmental compliance and environmental approvals (both nationally and internationally). South Africa has a range of progressive environmental acts, which all affect the way in which the NPA does business.

The SAEON Elwandle Node and the National Ports Authority have developed an education programme specifically designed to nurture young black natural scientists.

The NPA’s Corporate Social Responsibility Unit and Environmental Unit have recognised this need. In conjunction with the South African Environmental Observation Network’s (SAEON) Elwandle Node for the coastal inshore region, they have developed an education programme specifically designed to nurture young black natural scientists. The key goals of the programme are to:

• Support deserving young black graduates while they undertake their MSc studies;
• Ensure that the studies they undertake are relevant to coastal management;
• Provide additional industry-orientated courses to the candidates, e.g. environmental law, bio-monitoring and the theory and practice of Environmental Impact Assessment; and
• Ensure that the careers of these young scientists are made visible to younger black students and learners through an outreach programme.

The selection of candidates took place at a national level, with Mandisa Rubuxa, Luzuko Dali and Ntuthuko Masikane being selected. All three candidates will be concentrating their studies on Algoa Bay and will be registered at either Rhodes or Nelson Mandela universities.

The programme was launched in Grahamstown on 21 May 2007, with the students giving a range of presentations followed by a launch dinner. In his address at the event Dr Angus Paterson, Manager of the Elwandle Node said: “Through the foresight of the National Ports Authority, the proposed Nasutus programme will ensure that black scientists will start to play a bigger role in the management of South Africa’s coastal resources, either through joining the authorities or industry.”

He concluded his address by saying that the partnership between SAEON and the NPA should start bridging the gap between the natural sciences and industry, an initiative fully supported by the Department of Science and Technology.

During the course of the year the students will be attending a number of NPA open days and outreach programmes, so watch this space and gauge their progress...