Congratulations to all our graduandi who recently qualified with their Post Graduate Di-

plomas. We are also proud of our 22 Master students who completed their dissertations

and who will graduate during the June graduation.

We’ve just about reached the halfway mark of 2014 and hopefully by now all our new students have come to real-

ise just how complex and challenging disaster risk reduction is. Much work was covered thus far, which hopefully

steered their thinking towards the real challenges we face in a fast changing global environment. The first semester

of the Post Graduate Diploma is rather arduous and the continuous good effort most students complete their as-

signments with, are heartening. These assignments lay a solid foundation for the upcoming exams and the second

contact session will serve as a final preparation - make good use of the opportunity to interact with your lecturers

then.

DiMTEC’s vision include the development of our African Continent, hence our continual involvement in disaster risk

reduction actions in Africa. Africa is particularly vulnerable due to mostly low levels of education, poor governance,

greed by political leaders and conflict in large parts. Although scientists predict that climate change will threaten

food security in Africa, an honest evaluation of the state of development in this continent indicates that poverty,

food insecurity and most disasters are human induced. We cannot blame climate change for all the suffering of our

people. For that reason, DiMTEC interacts with institutions and organisations in Africa, of which the most recent

interactions are reported on elsewhere in this newsletter. The consequential relationships provide future opportuni-

ties for our students who will be the next leaders of our Continent.

New 2014 DiMTECtors !!

DiMTEC Newsletter

Jan - June 2014

2014 Dimtectors 1

Welcoming Func-tion

2

African Countries Visited

3

Conference and Training

5

Visit to Congo

Brazzaville

6

Courses 7

April Graduation 10

Art on Disasters 11

What’s Happen-

ing

12

Inside this issue:

DiMTEC’s welcoming

function for 2014 stu-

dents was once again a

roaring success. The

evening was enjoyed by

all attendees and a great

opportunity to get to

know one another out-

side a classroom situa-

tion.

It was a privilege to have

our dean, Prof. Neil

Heideman and his wife

there to welcome our

new dimtectors.

Page 2 DiMTEC Newsletter

Welcoming

Function

Page 2

African Countries Visited

As a leading scientist in his field, Dr Jordaan,

Director at UFD-DiMTEC, paid visits to three

African countries on invitation form their Govern-

ments and different United Nations organisa-

tions. Dr Jordaan believes that “South Africa will

not remain stable – politically and economically

– while it remains an island of wealth in a sea of

poverty” and that “the future for a stable South

Africa is through the development of the rest of

Africa.” In line with these philosophies, he built

networks and actively contributed towards the

development efforts in Africa.

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) based in Geneva, Switzerland sought Dr. Jor-

daan’s expertise in the field of disaster risk reduction to advise the Governments of Ghana during November

2013 and Kenia during March 2014 on the use of space-based technology for disaster risk reduction. The mis-

sions to both countries are known as the UNSPIDER (United Nations Space Based Technology for Disaster Risk

Reduction) Technical Advisory Mission. Both invitations were requested by the host countries and apart from Dr.

Jordaan, who was the only expert invited to both missions, nine experts were selected from China, Netherlands,

Germany, US, Austria, UK and Nigeria for each mission.

Africa and UN acknowledge scientific

expertise at UFS-DiMTEC

Dr Jordaan was also invited to Ghana by the United Nations Environmental

Program (UNEP) to facilitate a workshop on “Early Warning and Contingency

Planning for Extreme Events” during February 2014. Experience gained by

developing and facilitating several contingency planning workshops for almost

all large cities and some municipalities in South Africa, served him well for this

exercise. Top officials from, among other, Ghana, Kenya and Burkina Faso

participated in this workshop presented in both French and English. Following

the workshop, UNEP requested Dr Jordaan to pilot a draft contingency plan

for west and east Africa intended as a world-wide template prescribed by the

United Nations.

After his visit to Ghana, Dr Jordaan attended the United Nations University

Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources

(UNFLORES) workshop on “Water Point Mapping for Drought Risk Reduc-

tion” in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Leading a team of scientists from Universi-

ties in Botswana, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Kenya, Dr Jordaan

serves as the UNFLORES focal point for drought and flood research in Africa.

Resulting from his visits and close cooperation with institutions and Universi-

ties from these countries, Dr Jordaan laid the foundation for future collabora-

tion between UFS and other African Universities. Universities ready to enter into MOU’s with UFS includes Sokioni

Agricultural University and University of Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania, University of Ghana in Ghana, University of

Nairobi and Kenyatta University in Kenya as well as the Regional Mapping Unit for Development in Kenya.

Expertise from UFS-DiMTEC is also acknowledged by the European scientific community – thereby the invitation

from the Imperial College in London and the Royal Society for Science in London to include Dr Jordaan as a fellow

researcher in the “Blue Green Dream Project”. The purpose of the project is the development of future and modern

cities that are self-sustainable in terms of green energy, water, waste and food supply. Top academics from around

the world form part of the research team, with Dr Jordaan and colleagues from Cape Town University as the only

Africans.

Furthermore, the Academy of

Technical Sciences of Romania

and the University of Babes-

Balyai in Romania appointed Dr

Jordaan as a member of the

scientific committee for the 10th

Edition of the Environmental

Legislation, Safety Engineering

and Disaster Management In-

ternational Conference.

Technical advisory Team in Kenia at the

Page 4 DiMTEC Newsletter

Dr. AJ Jordaan visited the FEWSNET (Famine Early Warning System Network) in the beginning of March this year. Here he

is with scientists from FEWSNET and the Technical Advisory Team.

Conference and training workshop in

Yaounde-Cameroon

From the 14th to the 24th of November 2013, Mr. Belle attended and actively participated in the Integrated

Watershed Management Research and Development Capacity Building workshop and field research organised by

IWM R & D. Mr Belle prepared a presentation on the importance of wetlands in integrated watershed management

as part of his ongoing PhD research. He also utilised this opportunity to visit the University of Yaounde and the

University of Buea to lay a foundation for possible future research and training collaborations.

Experts in watershed management from Germany, researchers from partner universities including the University of

Cologne in Germany, Jomo Kenyatta University in Kenya, University of Western Cape in South Africa, University of

Yaounde in Cameroon and the DAAD attended this workshop where Mr Belle represented the UFS. More than

eleven local chiefs who live in the Mefou catchment as well as local researchers, water management authorities in

Cameroon, Master’s and Doctorate students involved in water, environment, disaster and other related fields of

study, were also present at the workshops.

Following conference presentations and field trips to collect data, a final report was written aiming to form a Water

Resources Users Association (WRUA) for the proper management of the Mefou catchment in Yaounde. This report

was presented to the water management authorities of Cameroon and a follow up conference was scheduled for

April 2014 in Yaounde.

A similar project, that is working effectively, was established in Kenya .

Field trip in the Mefou Catchment during the IWRM workshop in Cameroon

Page 4

Erosion is the most serious environmental hazard

AN IMPORTANT VISIT TO CONGO

BRAZZAVILLE Mr JA Belle, one of the permanent lecturers at DiMTEC, paid a dual

purpose visit to Congo Brazzaville from the 18th to the 28th of Feb-

ruary 2014. Firstly, it was in response to an invitation from the city of

Brazzaville’s Mayor to evaluate progress made on the establish-

ment of a municipal disaster management centre, and secondly to

assist two DiMTEC students who are in field collecting data for their

Master’s degree projects.

During his stay in Brazzaville (the Political capital of the Republic of

Congo) Mr Belle met with high level government officials and UN

agencies officials for discussion. Issues raised centred around the

establishment and running of a national platform for disaster man-

agement in Congo Brazzaville as well as the establishment of a mu-

nicipal disaster management centre for the city of Brazzaville.

Among the dignitaries met, were the Chairperson of the Interminis-

terial Committee for the 4th of March 2012 Arm explosion disaster

who is also the technical adviser to the President of the Republic,

Mr Jean Marie Kamba; Brigadier General Philippe Longonda who is

in charge of strategic planning and DRR issues; Mr Ludovic Mpili

who is a technical adviser to the president in charge of urbanization,

habitat and tourism; Dr Tarande Constant of the World Health Or-

ganisation, Africa Regional Office; the director of Urban Develop-

ment and Settlement Mr Jean Jacque Yolou, other top management

of the municipality of Brazzaville etc.

Mr Belle also went to the field on many occasions to observe and

collect data on soil erosion in Brazzaville with Mr Monka Bruno and

his research assistants. It was observed that soil erosion is the most

serious environmental hazard in Brazzaville that warrants utmost

national attention.

While in Congo Brazzaville, he used the opportunity to meet with

the Director in charge of cooperation and international relations at

the Marien Ngouabi University, Prof Scholastique Dianzinga as well

as Dr Jean de Dieu Nzila, director of the Research Centre for soil

Conservation and rehabilitation (CRCRT) at the same university. In

doing so, Mr Belle laid the foundation for possible partnerships and

research collaboration between the University of the Free State and

the Marien Ngouabi University in Congo Brazzaville. UKZN and

UWC already have similar ties with Marien Ngouabi University.

Mr. Belle (middle) with the two French-

speaking Master’s students (Bruno- left and

Donald-right) in Congo Brazzaville

Page 6 DiMTEC Newsletter

Mr. JA Belle during the field trip to one of

the rehabilitated donga created by erosion

Courses

PhD Block Course in Port Elizabeth

This year’s Block Course, in collaboration with the UNU, was held in Nelson Mandela Bay, Port Elizabeth. We

had the privilege to use the well known Bay world facilities. There were 15 participants and the fact that each one

was from a different background, different sectors and disciplines, made everything much more interesting. Not

only did participants learn and gain information from lecturers, but also from each other. Below are a few quotes

from attendees:

“What made this course worthwhile for me is the international exposure through the UNU partnership”

Liza van der Merwe

Enterprise Resilience Assessment Manager (Eskom)

“The training material was well distributed through memory sticks and will help tremendously. I mostly enjoyed

the presentations and interaction with Dr Jorg Szarzynski. The risk assessment done at Power line Informal Set-

tlement in Motherwell, opened my eyes to realize that other provinces have the same problems as we experience

in Ekurhuleni. The tours to Port Elizabeth harbour, the weather station at the airport, and the Disaster Manage-

ment Centre were very interesting. I also enjoyed the company of every one who attended”

(Ms) Corrie Bodenstein

Senior Disaster Management Officer (Ekurhuleni)

Page 7

“This is it! Exactly what I wanted! What an experience combining both theory and practice

interrogating the notion of vulnerability and disaster risk reduction. The diverse back-

grounds of participants demonstrated the multidisciplinary nature of disaster risk reduction

and the impetus for making DRR everyone’s business. I really appreciated the conceptual

frameworks for measuring risk and vulnerability including the practical field exercises, more

especially the sustainability science perspective on measuring risk and vulnerability.

Thanks DiMTEC and UN-EHS for the learning excursion.”

Joseph Kudzanai MUTSIGWA

“In my profession I conduct regulatory risk assessments on major hazard installations such as factories that

have large quantities of flammable or explosive materials or materials that can release toxic gases. The risk

assessments are done in accordance with South African legislation contained in the Major Hazard Installation

Regulations 2001 under the Occupational Health and Safety Act No 85 of 1993. These installations pose a

threat to surrounding communities, in other words the prescribed regulatory process focuses entirely on the

installation itself: the probability and consequence of a major incident that can affect the public around it. The

regulatory requirements do not include an assessment of the vulnerability of the surrounding local communities

who will be at the receiving end of a major disaster. The DiMTEC course provided me with the instruments to

evaluate the vulnerability of communities around hazardous installations. It now allows me to evaluate the risks

from both sides: from the installation side, but also from the receptor (community) side. In addition, the course

provided me with valuable background knowledge that will assist with my current PhD study. In fact, I can highly

recommend that all PhD candidates at DiMTEC should complete this course as part of their studies.”

Alfonso Niemand

Page 8 DiMTEC Newsletter

Peace Relief Mission and

Reconstruction Course

Page 9

This course developed by Dr Jordaan, was presented in Pretoria on the

military base for the second year running. It was attended by various mili-

tary personnel and police officers who are often deployed to conflict areas.

Me. A Ncube (lecturer) and Mr P Ncube (lecturer)

Prof H A Strydom (lecturer) Prof D Sakulski (lecturer) and Me. A Ncube (lecturer)

Course Participants working together in groups

Lt Col P.T. Mokoakoa (Chief Instructor/Coordinator)

Graduation April 2014 DiMTEC takes great pride in announcing and celebrating the graduation of our advanced diploma students. The

following students received their advanced diploma in Disaster Management on the 11th of April 2014.

MONCHO, Lesego

MOSHOKE, Seabata Leslie

MUHAME, Collins

MUHOMBA, Cornelia

MUTEKWA, Clemance Josiah

NDLOVU, Tobias

NETSHIDZATI, Tshilidzi Pinkie

NGARA, Tinashe Faith

NGOBENI, Deviking James

NKUTHA, Ntombizandile Sweetnoreen

NSANGWE, SERITI, Thabang Monica

NWOGU, Caroline Chioma

NYAHWO, Moddie Zvanguzvino

PHETHI, Mpho Dockles

RUST, Marthinus Dawid

SABELA-RIKHOTSO, Phindile Tiyiselani Zanele

SIBIYA, Reitumetse Pearl

SITHOLE, Nkateko Wilson

TSHIMWANGA, Lukusa Jonathan

TYALI, Lauretta Pumeza

ZWANE, Nomasu Betholda

BOOYSEN, Boitumelo Constance

CHAVAZHINJI, Petunia

CHISUTA, Kagele Makoye

DIGWA, Wellington

GALATIA, Lucas

GAMEDZE, Nokuthula Nonhlanhla

GREYLING, Cindé

HLALELE, Bernard Moeketsi

MAGAGULA, Lawrence Mangaliso

MAHLANGU, Elsie Sisi

MALOKA, Lucia

MASEMOLA, Victoria Ngwanabokone

MASHALANE, Tlou Emily

MATHEBULA, Mathabo Ntlai

MATIWANE, Siphokazi

MAWANDA, Shaban Juuko

MBANO, Fumiso

MKHIZE, Bhekizitha Maxwell

MODISANE, Cynthia Kefilwe

MOGOATA, Ntsokolo William

MOKETE, Charles

MOKGOTHU, Tebogo Dorsley

Page 10 DiMTEC Newsletter

Art on Disasters

Project Disasters have a devastating effect on societies which bring fear, uncertainties and usually post-traumatic stress

disorders. Many survivors and the affected seek comfort in art. Moreover, Disaster Managers are at war with man-

made and natural disasters, sometimes they win and sometimes they lose. In loss, the art seeks to console as a

reminder of the struggle and continuous efforts to alleviate pain and suffering. Art and pictures have served as a

memorial and healing process, it has helped affected communities interpret their emotions. “Art on Disaster” is a

project on collecting art that seeks to educate people about the risks and impacts of disasters. It will help

advocates of humanity to communicate world peace effectively.

Aims of the project

To collect art about the various disasters that have occurred in and around South Africa for example, paintings on Marikana mine killings, Rwandian Genocide, September 11, Philippines typhoon etc.

Display paintings collected in a gallery at disaster management or relevant conferences e.g. DMISA and WCDM.

Auction or sell the paintings as office or home decoration to humanitarian officials or private collectors.

Rites obtained from the auction will be donated to a cause.

Launching of this project will take place on the 23rd of May 2014 in the Gallery on Leviseur.

Page 10

The famous Japanese woodblock artwork of Katsushika Hokusai was created in 1830 and is com-

monly known as The Great Wave. It is one of the greatest depictions of a vulnerable situation in the

history of art and inspired the Arts on Disaster project.

Page 12 DiMTEC Newsletter

What's happening?? Visit the Prevention Web in order to get the latest training– and conference

information. www.preventionweb.net/globalplatform/2013/home

Here is a few to put on your calendar!! These are only examples of a few.

There are many more happening. Don’t miss out!!

02 Jun 2014 - 06 Jun 2014: World landslide forum 3, International Consortium of Landslides, China

(Beijing)

World landslide forum 3 aims to provide an information and academic exchange platform for landslides research-

ers and practitioners. It creates an opportunity to promote worldwide cooperation and to share new theories, tech-

nologies and methods in the fields of landslide survey/investigation, monitoring, early warning, prevention and

emergency management. The purpose of the forum is to present the achievements in landslide risk reduction in

promoting the sustainable development of society.

http://www.wlf3.org/

02 Jun 2014 - 04 Jun 2014: Pacific platform for disaster risk management 2014, United Nations Office

for Disaster Risk Reduction - Sub-Regional Office for the Pacific, Fiji (Suva)

The 2014 Pacific Platform for Disaster Risk Management will be held in Suva, Fiji from the 2nd - 4th June 2014.

The Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR),

as co-Conveners, ask that you set aside these dates in your schedule for this important meeting.

http://preventionweb.net/go/35767

04 Jun 2014 - 06 Jun 2014: 9th international conference on risk analysis and hazard mitigation, Wessex

Institute of Technology, United Kingdom (New Forest)

The analysis and management of risk and the mitigation of hazards is of fundamental importance to planners and

researchers around the world. We live in an increasingly complex society with the potential for disasters on a

worldwide scale. Natural hazards such as floods, earthquakes, landslides, fires and others have always affected

human societies. Man-made hazards, however, played a comparatively small role a few centuries ago until the

risk of catastrophic events started to increase due to the rapid growth of new technologies. The interaction of nat-

ural and anthropogenic risks adds to the complexity of the problem.

http://www.wessex.ac.uk/14-conferences/risk-analys

05 Jun 2014 - 06 Jun 2014: United Nations/Germany expert meeting on space technologies for flood and

drought risk management, United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, Germany (Bonn)

Description: This year's United Nations/Germany Expert Meeting on the Use of Space-based Information for flood

and drought risk reduction will focus on the use of space technologies to improve Disaster risk reduction. Floods

and droughts will serve as examples for hazard types that have recently affected countries around the globe. Re-

cent examples are the UK floods in February 2014, floods in Central Europe in June 2013, the floods following

super typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in November 2013, or the droughts in Eastern Africa 2011 and droughts

in Bolivia in 2013.

http://www.un-spider.org/BonnExpertMeeting2014

Sep 2014: DMISA (Disaster Management Institution of Southern Africa) Conference, Durban, KwaZulu-

Natal (South-Africa)