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UCT unit calls for new legislation to replace Traditional Courts Bill

Alan — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 03:00:06 +0000

Hands on: The Law, Race and Gender Unit’s director, Associate Professor Dee Smythe.

UCT’s Law, Race and Gender Unit (LRG) has called for new legislation to replace the controversial Traditional Courts Bill.

Introduced by government in 2008, the bill was withdrawn from the National Assembly last year after pressure from opponents. Its imminent reintroduction in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) was announced in mid-December, giving rural people two months to submit their comments by 15 February.

LRG is working with the Legal Resources Centre and local community-based organisations to ensure that people living in rural villages will have an opportunity to speak out against the proposed passage of the Bill, which is considered unconstitutional by legal experts. A consultative workshop involving 100 rural delegates from different provinces came together in Johannesburg in January to discuss the bill and the way forward.

LGR has proposed that new legislation should be drafted, based on the views and needs expressed by ordinary rural people in the process of their consultation. The unit established the Rural Women’s Action Research (RWAR) project to support rural communities, especially women, who live under systems of customary law and traditional governance.

RWAR has played a key role in educating rural people about the Traditional Courts Bill. It has also helped many rural communities and groups to make submissions directly to Parliament on the proposed legislation.

LRG director Associate Professor Dee Smythe said the approach taken by the RWAR project provided an opportunity to build models of practice in legislation that are inclusive and participatory.

The project is one of the recipients of the 2011 UCT Distinguished Social Responsiveness Award, established by vice-chancellor Dr Max Price to promote the university’s commitment to social responsiveness.

Tabling of the bill took place on 26 January 2012 after which members of the select committee took it to their provinces for rural consultations. Once the NCOP has made amendments and a decision about the bill, it will return to the National Assembly.

Dr Sindiso Mnisi Weeks, a senior researcher in RWAR, said many rural people were not aware of the pending bill, nor were they consulted about how it would affect them.

“The bill would centralise power with traditional leaders, and would allow them to singlehandedly decide a dispute,” she said. “It was drafted in consultation with traditional leaders only.

“As the bill now stands, women in particular would be affected, because they would not be assured of their right to self-representation. Should a woman’s husband die, she would not be protected against those who would want to grab her property.”

Limpopo community leader Patric Mashego is one of the rural people working with the RWAR to oppose the Traditional Courts Bill.

“This bill and laws such as the Limpopo Traditional Leadership and Institutions Act destroy the dream we fought for over many years. Instead of making rural people equal citizens in a unitary South Africa, they make us subjects of chiefs who are given the coercive power to get rid of those who try to hold them to account. You may say that not all chiefs are bad. That is true, but only bad chiefs need laws like this.”

Mashego said the bill would create a crisis around the issue of tribal levies.

“We are experiencing a serious problem with tribal levies and the bill will make the problem into a serious crisis if it is enacted.”

Aninka Claassens, the RWAR project leader, added: “If people don’t pay those levies, traditional leaders refuse to give them the proof of addresses that are necessary in applications for identity documents, pension and child grants.”

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Boundaries drive owner up the wall

Alan — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:23:26 +0000

This week the Property Poser panel considers a boundary wall problem with a few twists.

About seven years ago a reader purchased a unit in a complex. She explains that her property lies adjacent to the boundary wall enclosing the entire development and a small river runs just beyond that.

For about five of the seven years she has lived there, the local municipality cleaned up the riverbanks and secured the area with sandbags whenever there were heavy rains.

When the owners of the properties adjacent to the boundary wall requested that the municipality do more extensive work to protect their properties, all aid suddenly stopped. The reason given was that the property over which the river runs belongs to a local church and is therefore not municipal property after all.

Upon investigation, the reader also discovered that the wall is not actually built as indicated on the approved building plan. In fact, whereas the wall is currently about 12 metres from her house, it should only be three metres away.

In effect, the reader’s back garden has suddenly shrunk by three quarters of its original size. However, when she purchased the property, she was clearly under the impression that the boundary wall was in the correct position.

To make matters worse, the wall is falling apart and the reader has therefore decided to erect a new one in the correct place. She wants to know who would be liable for future damages, should the river encroach further on her property.

The reader claims that the attorney who handled the transfer of her property knew it was not the size it appeared to be. He maintains the sale agreement indicated the size of the erf and that it was her responsibility to check these measurements.

This is a very unfortunate situation, which has been aggravated by the actions of various parties over the years, says Lucille Geldenhuys from Lucille Geldenhuys Attorneys in Stellenbosch.

“However, unless misrepresentation can be shown on the side of the transferring attorney, or the seller for that matter, his statement is correct. It is the duty of the purchaser to confirm the correct size of the property.”

Geldenhuys says an agreement of sale will often contain a clause pertaining to the fact that no representations were made by the seller regarding the size of the property or its boundaries.

Furthermore, says Schalk van der Merwe from Rawson Properties Helderberg, when the new wall is erected, any future damage to it will be for the reader’s account.

According to Van der Merwe, the only remedy she may have will lie with the owner or occupant of the adjacent land.

“It is his or her responsibility to keep the river free flowing and clear of any overgrowth that could cause it to block up, thereby increasing the potential for damages to the reader’s property.”

To ask a property related question visit www.propertyposer.co.za.

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Disappointment for Ikeys in Varsity Cup opener

Alan — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:07 +0000

FNB UCT’s title defence got off to the worst possible start with a 10-38 loss to the University of the Free State’s Shimlas in the opening round of the 2012 Varsity Cup on Monday, 6 February.


In the game: When Dillyn Leyds touched down, UCT appeared to be back in the game.	Fumble: All too often, as here with Damian de Allende, UCT’s handling – with the goal line beckoning – let the side down.

The Ikeys were punished for a litany of missed chances and unforced errors as the players from Bloemfontein outscored them by four tries to two. The home team seemed to be its own worst enemy on an unusually windless Green Mile.

Despite creating several clear scoring opportunities, UCT’s pack were outgunned in the set-pieces and tight-loose, forcing the team onto the back foot. The visitors had raced into a 16-0 lead before UCT finally troubled the scorers through fullback Dillyn Leyds, who finished an expansive move in the corner.

UCT conceded a further 14 points before they scored again, but captain Ntsolo Setlaba’s five-pointer came when the match was already lost. How Kevin Foote’s team rued twice dropping the ball with the try-line at their mercy.

Ikeys flyhalf Nicholas Holton, one of the few in blue and white hoops who caught the eye, saw his expertly crafted opportunities squandered by team-mates far too often. Foote was crestfallen.

“Our handling was just atrocious, and we couldn’t get through any phases,” the coach said.

Foote refused to blame match-day nerves for his new-look squad’s defeat.

“We’re better than that,” he said, adding that the next game against the University of Johannesburg was crucial. “We have to fight for our lives going up to Johannesburg. If we don’t, then this campaign is going to finish before it’s even started.”

O-week off to a sizzling start

Alan — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:00:06 +0000

Choice made: Winner of HAICU’s condom fashion show, Phathiswa Magangane (left), and runner-up Khanyisile Masango.

UCT orientation headed down the homestretch with O-Week kicking off on Monday with the plaza baraza, and a whole string of side events.

Despite the mercury pushing unbearable, there was a pool of cool societies and clubs strutting their stuff to potential new members. With many of the more than 80 societies on show, students were spoilt for choice – on offer was everything from tabletop gaming, politics and worship to wakeboarding and gymnastics.

Also part of the day’s line-up was the condom fashion show staged by the UCT HIV/AIDS Institutional Co-ordination Unit (HAICU), in partnership this year with online magazine Vintage Lifestyle, to create awareness around HIV/AIDS.

“It is an important start to the year to get students thinking about prevention messages and making responsible decisions,” said HAICU project officer, Lucina Reddy.

With Craig de Sousa spinning the decks and MC DJ Suga spurring on the crowd, student teams created stylish yet edgy outfits with condoms as the main accessory. Second-year history and law student Phathiswa Magangane walked away with Cavendish Square vouchers for her winning couture and will be featured in the coming addition of Vintage Lifestyle. The runner-up was final-year BCom student Khanyisile Masango.

Jumper: BSc student Kate Hawkridge from UCT Gymnastics makes a backflip look easy-peasy.

A new addition to O-week is the SRC 100Plus sports tournament. Taking place at the Sport Centre and the adjacent Green Mile (rugby fields), greenhorns got a taste of some sports on offer at UCT.

The two-day social event is organised by the Students’ Representative Council and led by sport and recreation co-ordinator Lorne Hallendorf, and sponsored by energy drinks company 100Plus. First-years, new undergrads and international students could try their hand at a range of martial arts, as well as football, gymnastics, netball and volleyball, among other codes.

Varsity Cup 2012 just hours away

Alan — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 01:00:15 +0000

Defending the title: The Ikey Tigers celebrate their 2011 Varsity Cup title win.

UCT’s Ikey Tigers will begin their FNB Varsity Cup title defence this evening when they take on the University of Free State’s Shimlas at UCT.

The match kicks off at 17h00, and will also be televised on SuperSport.

But this year’s Varsity Cup comes with a few innovations. In addition to tightening up on the movement of players between campuses and teams, the organisers have also introduced a new scoring system.

In a bid to encourage running, try-orientated rugby, the value of some the kicks has been reduced. This year, free kicks and drop kicks will count just two points apiece.

More interestingly, a conversion will now be worth all of three points.

The Ikeys’ coach, Kevin Foote, believes this will favour his side, which has earned a reputation for its free-flowing, try-scoring approach. But it also means the other players will have to work that much harder to assist the competition’s top scorer in 2011, UCT flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis, when they do touch down, says Foote.

“It just means you’ve got to score your tries as close to under the poles as you can just to make his job a bit easier.”

Foote is upbeat about his team’s chances in the game against Shimlas, a side over which they’ve had the upper hand. UCT trounced the Bloemfontein side by 57-20 in last year’s semi-final, beat them 26-10 in the season opener, and got the better of them in the 2010 semis as well, if not so convincingly.

And after a few decent friendlies, his players – under new skipper Ntsolo Setlaba – are raring to start their title defence, reports Foote. Even if, as usual with the seasonal change of squads, the sides are unfamiliar with each other.

“The guys are just hungry to go now,” he says.

The Tigers will be on the road for their next three games – against the University of Johannesburg, the Tshwane University of Technology and the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University – and will return to UCT on 5 March for their match against North-West University. See full fixtures on the Varsity Cup site.

Watch the video of last year’s celebrations on Upper Campus when the Ikey Tigers won the 2011 chanpionship.

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GSB MBA’s rising rank

Alan — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:00:07 +0000

In what’s now become business as usual, the UCT GSB’s full-time MBA programme has yet again moved up the ranks (by six places to 54th spot) in the Financial Times (FT) of London’s Global MBA Top 100 released in January.

This is the eighth consecutive year the school has been listed.

The GSB programme has also been ranked the best-value-for-money MBA in the world – a title it held in 2011 and 2009.

The business school first got a seat at the top 100 table in 2004, when it joined the illustrious list in 82nd position. Today, the UCT GSB remains the only business school in Africa ranked in the FT MBA Top 100 for its full-time programme.

This year’s list also saw the school ranked 10th in the international experience category and 17th in the career progress ranking.

Research offices sharpen proposal writing skills

Alan — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:00:07 +0000

Nothing for granted: Wilna Venter (far left) of UCT’s Research Office and other representatives from African universities spent time at the NIH in 2010. Now Venter is taking part in a new series of NIH workshops.

Grants from the US’s National Institutes of Health (NIH) are sought-after treasures, but the application procedures are exacting.

To improve the success rate and management of grant applications from Africa, the NIH is in 2012 funding a series of training workshops. Two of these will involve UCT and three other African universities – Mbarara University in Uganda, Moi University in Kenya and the University of Zambia (UNZA).

The NIH’s supplement grant, from its Initiative on Research and Innovation Management, will allow research administrators from these universities to meet = once at UCT and once at UNZA in Lusaka – to spruce up their grants management skills. Here participants will get a broad overview of the research environment, the role of research administrators in this context, and the links between grantees and sponsors, especially the NIH.

UCT’s Wilna Venter got an early start in 2010. Courtesy of an International Extramural Associate Research Development Award (IEARDA), she spent three weeks at the NIH headquarters in Washington brushing up on NIH policies and procedures.

Come on board, UCT urges parents

Alan — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 00:00:06 +0000

The Parents’ Orientation events are meant to assure parents and care-givers that their children will be in good hands at UCT.


All ears: Carl Herman, director of UCT’s Admissions Office, addressed hundreds of out-of-town parents at this year’s Parents’ Orientation.	Attentive: Throngs attended Parents’ Orientations.

This assurance carries more weight when it comes from a senior student like Mike Ramothwala, Students’ Representative Council (vice-president: external). Ramothwala was addressing this year’s event for out-of-town parents on 31 January. (The first Parents’ Orientation, for local parents, was held on 28 January.)

“Students from other universities often ask us why we never strike at UCT. But really there is nothing to strike about,” Ramothwala explained to amused parents who had packed the Jameson Hall.

Ramothwala was quick to encourage parents, urging them to support their children and monitor their progress, saying studying at UCT “is not a walk in the park”.

Acting vice-chancellor Professor Crain Soudien also assured parents that the university would provide the best learning environment in the form of world-recognised lecturers, quality support systems, and a suite of extra-mural activities and services such as the Jammie Shuttles, the Student Wellness Service and Campus Protection Services.

This was good news to parents like Caroline Kadenge, who brought her eldest daughter to UCT all the way from Kenya.

“For every parent it is comforting to know that your child will study in a safe environment,” Kadenge said.

FW De Klerk is Trending on Twitter Today

Alan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:55:58 +0000

The Top 10 trending South African topics on Twitter are an indication of shifts in the news and chart the topics that are tweeted and re-tweeted the most.

One of the Top 10 topics trending today is FW De Klerk who on 2 February 1990 unbanned the ANC, PAC, SACP and set South Africa on the path to a democracy along with rescinding the Media Emergency Regulations and other draconian acts.

Here are some of the Twitteractions:

The world should celebrate FW De Klerk more than Mandela or the ANC. He had true vision and the balls to see it through

2 February, 2012 12:18 pm via webReply RetweetFavorite

@JoeDiedericks

Joe Diedericks

FW De Klerk made a life altering decision 22yrs ago when he released the former President Nelson Mandela, on this day #History #GreatMoments

2 February, 2012 11:56 am via webReply RetweetFavorite

@SeabeloModise

Seabelo Chazz Modise

Would you consider FW De Klerk a hero?

2 February, 2012 11:46 am via webReply RetweetFavorite

@LewEvil

Lewnatic

FW De Klerk's speech on the immediate halt of #Apartheid and unbanning of the ANC 2 Feb 1990 http://t.co/mGBwPf17

2 February, 2012 10:26 am via webReply RetweetFavorite

@erichhugo

Erich Hugo

On this day in 1990, FW De Klerk unbanned the ANC. Then he had a strawberry yoghurt and some fresh paw-paw.

2 February, 2012 7:27 am via webReply RetweetFavorite

@GarethCliff

Gareth Cliff

Today in 1990 | F.W. de Klerk announces the release of Nelson Mandela and unbans political organisations http://t.co/vflsBFC0

2 February, 2012 9:15 am via webReply RetweetFavorite

@simintelligence

sim.intelligence

2 February 1990 President FW de Klerk announces that the ANC would be legalised and that #NelsonMandela would be released from prison

2 February, 2012 8:25 am via webReply RetweetFavorite

@NelsonMandela

NelsonMandela

February 2 1990 FW de Klerk lifts ban on ANC, Mandela freed 9 days later.

2 February, 2012 2:46 am via TweetDeck ReplyRetweetFavorite

@Firebird734

Lee

The Last Trek: A New Beginning

On 27 April 1994, millions of South Africans stood in mile-long queues for hours to cast their vote in the country’s first democratic election. F W de Klerk, the last apartheid president, must have known his party would lose and that he was effectively handing the power of the volk (nation) to the African National Congress and its leader Nelson Mandela. This appears to be de Klerk’s motivation for writing his autobiography–to show himself as the country’s “great reformer”. It is also an attempt to reassure the volkthat this is not the end for them, but merely a fresh challenge.

De Klerk was brought up as an Afrikaner nationalist and his view of the world was shaped by racism. He unapologetically tells how, as a young man, he was impressed with Dr Hendrik Verwoerd’s plans to create separate black homelands and was relieved when Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment. Throughout the time he was a nationalist MP, Minister and later president, de Klerk insists he did not know about his government’s reign of terror–the massacres and death squads. For a “compassionate reformer” and lawyer, it seems unbelievable that he did not try harder to find out if the allegations were true. He does apologise for apartheid crimes even though he urges they should be seen in context of the Cold War, his political background and in comparison with other nations. A weak apology indeed.

The Last Trek: A New Beginning offers interesting insights into the mind of F W de Klerk, the son of a cabinet minister and the nephew of the prime minister, Hans Strijdom. Its most interesting sub-plot, however, is de Klerk’s description of how his relationship with Mandela deteriorated and finally led to the collapse of the coalition government–an event that angered de Klerk’s colleagues because it caused a rift in the party and eroded international confidence in multi-racial government. De Klerk retired from politics in 1997.

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Residences become home

Alan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:00:05 +0000

Two peas in a pod: Best friends and roommates Nomvuso Maitin and Anthea Thompson set up their new ‘home’ in Graça Machel Hall.

There was never a doubt that they would choose the same university, they say.

They’ve been best friends since grade 8 and shared the same classes at school; the KZN double act even went on to earn seven As each in matric. Actuarial science first-year student Nomvuso Maitin and BSc mathematical science first-year student Anthea Thompson now have yet another thing in common; they’re residence roomies in UCT’s Graça Machel Hall.

Their story is just one of the thousands you’ll hear as freshers check in to residence life this week. With the addition of newly completed Obz Square, about 6,600 students will take up residence accommodation this year.

Despite the heat and the expected queuing, registration was a cinch, said father John Winfield. “It’s lekker to see how enthusiastic the orientation teams are,” he said. “What a wonderful welcome.”

And even with most expressions reading something betwixt anxious and excited while moms make beds and unpack suitcases (for the boys) for the last time, by the end of orientation – including the Freshers’ Braai, Big Bash and Sax Appeal – the send-offs should be long forgotten. On 13 February it’s all systems go for the start of the academic year.

Orientation kicks off en masse

Alan — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 11:00:05 +0000

UCT welcomed thousands of students into its midst on 1 February as the bulk of the university’s orientation programmes kicked off.


Seeing red: Prof Marian Jacobs, clean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, and orientation leaders Letisha Lalu (left) and Mampho Dlulane made sure first-year students received a warm welcome.	Weighty matters: This morning, law students received a talk on UCT transformation as part of their orientation.

After the humanities and commerce faculties had set the tone with their programmes last week, the majority of the expected 4,200 new first-year students got their first taste of life as a UCT student today. Upper, middle and health sciences campuses were swarming with brightly coloured T-shirts as uniformed orientation leaders (OLs) worked to give the freshers a fun and informative welcome.

The new students were treated to a combination of upbeat receptions from their OLs and useful talks from university officials. During the orientation programme, students will be briefed on just about every aspect of life as a UCT student.

The orientation programme is designed as an enjoyable yet enlightening window on life at UCT, and is packed with a myriad of activities. From curriculum advice from academics, safety tips from the ever-willing Campus Protection Services (CPS) and a low-down on the sport and societies scene, students will be sufficiently equipped to confidently wade into their careers at Africa’s leading academic institution.

UCT expects to have some 25,200 students on campus this year.

Suretyship makes CC members liable

Alan — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:10:55 +0000

This week the Property Poser panel deals with an issue where the defaulting tenant of a rental property is not a natural person but a close corporation (CC).

The reader asks how a landlord can hold a tenant liable for a breach of contract when the tenant is a CC with only one member.

In this instance, the contract has been cancelled and the tenant evicted. Unfortunately, no sureties were provided in terms of the rental agreement.

As a result, the reader would like to know whether the member can be held liable, in his or her personal capacity, for any losses suffered as a result of the breach of contract.

He also says the member confirmed on behalf of the CC that there were sufficient funds to pay the rental as agreed upon in the contract. Because this turned out to be untrue, he would like to know whether this amounts to fraud and if the member could be held liable on these grounds for any losses suffered.

Furthermore, the reader wishes to know what the consequences may be for the tenant who, knowing that eviction is pending, disposes of the CC’s assets in an improper way in order to avoid the attachment and sale in execution of such assets.

When dealing with a legal entity, one must bear in mind that the separation of the individuals from the entity in question – and thus the protection it affords them – is often the reason for such a choice, says Lucille Geldenhuys from Lucille Geldenhuys Attorneys in Stellenbosch.

Geldenhuys says other parties transacting with such entities need to ensure that they are protected by requesting that the individuals provide a surety for the debts.

“In the absence of such a surety, it may be difficult to hold the individuals liable.”

If there were indeed fraudulent actions on the part of the members, Geldenhuys says this may be a reason to “pierce the so-called corporate veil”.

“Having said this, the mere fact that the tenant does not ultimately have the funds to honour the rental contract does not in itself necessarily amount to fraud.”

According to Schalk van der Merwe from Rawson Properties Helderberg, any number of things may happen during the course of a rental agreement that jeopardise the financial security of a tenant.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances, a tenant may run into financial difficulty despite having been completely financially secure at the outset or at times in between.”

Should the tenant fraudulently dispose of assets to prevent them from being attached, Van der Merwe says the creditor may approach the court for relief.

“A legal remedy could perhaps prevent such actions or undo the disposals effected during this time.”

Van der Merwe says a summons with a rent interdict preventing the removal of goods can, however, be useful in this regard.

Send your property related questions to pose@propertyposer.co.za or visit www.propertyposer.co.za.

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Programme for health professional educators

Alan — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:00:13 +0000

Skills improvement: UCT has launched a postgraduate diploma to improve the teaching abilities of health professionals.

Health educators are now set to improve their skills, thanks to a postgraduate diploma in health professional education, launched by UCT in January.

Organised by the Education Development Unit (EDU) in the Faculty of Health Sciences, the one-year programme (it can also be done over two years) sets out to strengthen participants’ knowledge and skills in health professional education, specifically in the areas of teaching and learning within a primary health care system and curriculum.

“The programme will enable working health professionals to reflect critically on the theory and practice of teaching in the classroom and in the clinical context,” says the EDU in a statement. “This will play a part in ensuring that health professionals are competently prepared to meet the health needs of the country.”

Seventeen students from various disciplines, including radiography, emergency services, dentistry, medicine, environmental health, orthopaedics, blood transfusion services and physiotherapy, are participating.

Two weeks of on-campus training ended on 27 January. Students will continue with their studies online until they return for a face-to face block at UCT in November.

Workshop explores the cost of land cover change

Alan — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:00:07 +0000

Change: A river course in the Cederberg, Western Cape, heavily infested with Australian Acacias. Alien invasive plants cost South Africa R7 billion per year in lost ecosystem services. (Picture courtesy of Dean Impson)

The only thing certain about the future of South Africa’s ecosystems is that they are guaranteed to change.This came to light in a recent workshop titled <>Counting the Cost of Land Cover Change, held at the University of Pretoria and attended by a network of scientists, conservationists and policy makers known as the Land Cover Change Consortium (LCCC).

UCT held its own at the workshop. Professor William Bond of UCT’s Department of Botany described dramatic changes in South Africa’s vegetation that are already taking place. “In many areas woody plants are increasing, impacting on grassland ecosystems and wild and domestic grazers,” he said.

Projections of future climate change and its effects are very unsure, raising challenges for conservationists and land use planners.

“Climate interacts with a multitude of other factors,” said Professor Timm Hoffman of UCT’s Plant Conservation Unit. “Social, political and economic factors all affect how people use land, and this will affect vegetation, biodiversity and ecosystem services.”

COP17 a success after all, says panel

Alan — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:00:07 +0000

In the hot seat: A panel of experts gave feedback on COP17 at UCT recently. From left to right: Stef Raubenheimer, Prof Harald Winkler, Prof Guy Midgely, Prof Mark New, Jon Duncan, Anna Steynor, and Prof Richard Calland.

Though there were a few watershed moments, COP17 was, in many ways, a success. So said a panel of experts at a feedback session titled What happened at COP17? Hear the inside story, held at UCT on 24 January.

The panel discussion on the showcase 17th Conference of the Parties, held in Durban at the end of 2011, was convened by UCT’s newly established African Climate & Development Initiative (ACDI) and the Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership and Sustainable Energy Africa. Professor Mark New, ACDI director and UCT’s pro vice-chancellor for climate change, chaired the event.

One of the main, and exacting, achievements of the Durban talks, said Professor Harald Winkler of UCT’s Energy Research Centre, was the agreement on a second commitment period – aptly dubbed the Durban Platform – under the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which holds only developed nations to emission-reduction targets.

The Durban talks also launched a plan toward a global climate accord that will legally bind all major greenhouse gas emitters – including the for-now exempt China and India – to an agreed outcome.

Professor Richard Calland, of UCT’s Department of Public Law, reported that the conference secured an agreement towards a Green Climate Fund. This $100 billion-a-year kitty (be it still empty) will help poorer nations adapt to, and mitigate, climate change.

Mitigation’s little brother, adaptation, also made a vital if belated appearance at the Durban negotiations. “It’s taken much longer to emerge in the negotiations as a significant serious issue,” observed Professor Guy Midgely, chief director of the climate change and bio-adaptation division at the South African National Biodiversity Institute.

And while the spotlight was on the main players, a lot of the action came out of COP17′s side events. “There was a definitive thrust toward flexibility of adaptation pathways,” said Anna Steynor, representing UCT’s Climate System Analysis Group, which participated in several adaptation-type side events.

Also speaking at the UCT discussion was Jon Duncan, an analyst at the Old Mutual Investment Group. “The take-out for us [from COP17] is that it seems there will be a global price on carbon,” he said. “We need to better understand the risk exposure of South African listed equity to a carbon tax.”

Stef Raubenheimer, chief executive officer of non-profit organisation SouthSouthNorth, closed the panel discussion with a word of caution about the fray ahead. “Between now and 2015/20 we are going to have the mother of all fights between the 40-odd countries that produce most of the world’s greenhouse gases about the remaining carbon space.”

Download the podcast of the panel discussion.

UCT scholar joins the IEC

Alan — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:00:08 +0000

Spreading her wings: UCT lecturer Raenette Taljaard has been appointed onto the Independent Electoral Commission.

During a 15-minute meeting, one thing quickly becomes clear about Raenette Taljaard: she is one industrious person. She thinks fast, talks fast, walks fast, and does just everything else at the same brisk pace.

This could explain why she holds so many positions in so many organisations – all with aplomb. Including, since late last year, that of part-time commissioner with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).

The former shadow Minister of Finance (she was a Member of Parliament for six years) also serves on the Regional Agenda Council for Africa of the World Economic Forum, and on the boards of loveLife and the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, to name but a few. “Knowing how to split my time has never been a challenge,” she said of her latest appointment.

The IEC appointment is for seven years. Taljaard, a senior lecturer in public policy with UCT’s Department of Political Studies, was nominated by a Johannesburg bishop. Apart from the general IEC duties in terms of the Electoral Act, the new members’ specific tasks are yet to be determined.

Taljaard chose to be a part-time commissioner – three other full-time appointees were also named – because she still enjoys teaching.