My contribution to science and its impact on society
Academically: I have published book chapters and academic journals. I have recently been appointed as a lecturer and a supervisor to postgraduate students at Rhodes University.
Civic society: In 2014 December I have started an NGO, Children of the Soil (COTS). COTS believe that if young people are not educated“now”on how to conserve the earth, there will be no earth for them to give to the next generations. COTS want to aggressively engage youth in environmental resuscitation programmes with the aim to incorporate those programmes into the curriculum. COTS proposes to engage the schools pupils in the surrounding area into mentorship guided and participatory programmes that will highlight the impact of climate change and responsive actions should be taken to minimize that impact today.
Organisations: Through the objectives of COTS the NGO is collaborating with Namibian society (East African student organisation that works with children's physical education), Galela Amanzi (an organisation that installs rainwater tanks in key locations in the disadvantaged regions of Grahamstown, providing water for irrigating community vegetable gardens, for cooking and drinking purposes, as well as keeping schools open when there are water supply problem), Municipality, local schools COTS has maintain its mandate by the collaborative work. Enactus- Universities organisation that is involve in entrepreneurial action to improve the human condition and enable sustainable human progress. This year our research group assisted in making aloe Vera soap for local women entrepreneurship. In this project we use local resources such as aloe to improve the economy of the community members.
National: Activate Innovation leadership, a network of young leaders equipped to drive change for the public good across South Africa. Connecting youth who have the skills, sense of self and spark to address tough challenges and initiate innovative and creative solutions that can reshape our society. I am a Vice-Chairperson of Young Water Professionals in the Eastern Cape Province. The Young Water Professionals programme offers practical and effective ways for those interested in a career in the water sector to follow their interests and experiences. We provide opportunities for young professionals to network in social and professional environments. Participants can present their work in a peer to peer learning environment at conferences and forums and can take advantage of a suit of initiatives that support the development of the future workforce in the water sector.
International: I have recently been appointed as a South African Young Academy of Science (SAYAS). SAYAS aims to contribute towards solutions to national and global challenges facing society; provide a platform for young scientists to influence policy decisions; contribute towards the development of scientific capacity in South Africa through mentoring and role-modelling of future scientists; and foster opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations amongst young scientists.
Listen to my interview on The Academic Citizen on Africanizing Scientific Research.