SCIENCE FOR SOUTH AFRICA VOLUME 14 | NUMBER 4 | 2018 ISSN 1729-830X IPCC 1.5°C report: here’s what the HOW SOUTHERN AFRICA climate science says NEEDS TO MANAGE It’s going to be tough, RISING TEMPERATURES but we can do it DOES SUNNY SOUTH AFRICA REALLY HAVE AN IDEAL CLIMATE FOR TOURISM? NOT EVERY TOURIST THINKS SO ON THE BRINK OF CATASTROPHE The world is heading for meltdown ACADEMY OF SCIENCE OF SOUTH AFRICA Editor EDITOR'S NOTE Dr Bridget Farham Editorial Board Roseanne Diab (EO: ASSAf) (Chair) John Butler-Adam (South African Journal of Science) Debra Meyer (University of Johannesburg) FULFIL YOUR Kevin Govender (SAAO) Himla Soodyall (University of Witwatersrand) Caradee Wright (MRC) Correspondence and enquiries The Editor PASSION FOR SCIENCE PO Box 663, Noordhoek 7979 Tel.: (021) 789 2331 Fax: 0866 718022 e-mail: [email protected] e-copies: http://research.assaf.org.za/ Apply for Masters and Doctoral degrees in: @QuestSa1 - Twitter Quest: Science For South Africa - Facebook Advertising enquiries BIOTECHNOLOGY Barbara Spence Avenue Advertising PO Box 71308 Bryanston 2021 Tel.: (011) 463 7940 CHEMISTRY Fax: (011) 463 7939 Cell: 082 881 3454 e-mail: [email protected] FOOD AND NUTRITION Subscription enquiries A great ride and back issues Tsepo Majake Tel.: (012) 349 6645 e-mail: [email protected] Quest 14(4) is my final issue of the FOOD SCIENCE magazine. My ten years as editor have Complement your undergraduate Copyright © 2013 Academy of Science taken me on a huge learning curve, but degrees with higher level of South Africa a very enjoyable one. My background is qualifi cations that delve deeper population biology followed by medicine, but as editor of Quest I have been able to into your chosen fi eld, providing learn about so many more fields of science Darwin200 celebrations, that included his Published by the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) – everything from quantum physics to visit to the Cape in 1836. In 2009, I was you with cutting-edge skills PO Box 72135, Lynnwood Ridge 0040, South Africa engineering. Because I needed to be able lucky enough to produce a special edition and expertise to catalyse your Permissions to find content from all fields of science for the International Year of Astronomy, Fax: 0866 718022 for the magazine I have been introduced which allowed me to indulge my love e-mail: [email protected] research career. to the depth of scientific research that of this particular branch of science. Subscription rates we have here in South Africa. There are During my tenure, Quest has changed (4 issues and postage) (For other countries, see major areas in which South Africa is from a stand-alone publication to subscription form) world class – astronomy, cosmology and being an essential part of science Individuals/Institutions – R130.00 Students/schoolgoers – R65.00 astrophysics for example. Then there is outreach to schools and through science palaeoanthropology – with the wealth centres, ably driven by Tsepo Majeke, Design and layout of new findings in human evolution that in the Academy of Science of South SUN MeDIA Bloemfontein I have been lucky enough to be able to Africa (ASSAf) Scholarly Publishing Printing cover. And not just human evolution – the Unit, headed by Susan Veldsman. Red-Pencil Group fossil record in the Karoo in particular I have grown as an editor and as keeps us at the forefront of palaeontology a scientist through my association in general. The very conditions that make with Quest and the people at ASSAf. the Karoo such a rich source of fossils I hope that Quest has provided also provide fertile ground for the Earth entertainment and enjoyment to its sciences, with major research into the readers and, most of all, inspired many origins of the Earth itself coming from to carry on to become scientists. local scientists. In the past ten years I have covered the engineering feats required to provide the stadiums for the 2010 All material is strictly copyright and all rights are FIFA World Cup, the Square Kilometre reserved. Reproduction without permission is LEARN.THINK.DO forbidden. Every care is taken in compiling the Array arrived in South Africa, with all contents of this publication, but we assume the excitement and development of local Bridget Farham Durban University of Technology no responsibility for effects arising therefrom. The views expressed in this magazine are not expertise that has brought, along with its Editor – QUEST: Faculty of Applied Sciences necessarily those of the publisher. precursor, the MeerKAT project, and the Science for South Africa P.O. Box 1334, Durban, 4000, South Africa Email: [email protected] Tel:031 373 2506 www.dut.ac.za WWW.ASSAF.ORG.ZA | Volume 14 | Number 4 | 2018 3 The Time is Now to Future-Proof Learning VOLUME 14 | NUMBER 4 | 2018 CEO of Belgium Campus explains the importance of preparing students for the Fourth Industrial Revolution 20 Wetlands – providing ON THE COVER ecosystem services We are living in an era of advanced technology, where mind-blowing To this end, we exceed expectations by deploying a completely unique Alanna Rebelo explains how discoveries are emerging and impacting our lives daily. Across the world, instruction strategy. Firstly, to equip all our students to become true vision- 6 technology has played a critical role in improving people’s lives, as aries in their discipline, because IT people see solutions, connecting the ON THE BRINK OF palmeit wetlands function inventions and innovations continue to drastically change how people dots and making patterns, where others don’t. Secondly, to drive the kind 6 CATASTROPHE as ecosystem engineers live, what they do and how they do it. A new dawn is here, as we steer of innovation that cuts through all industries and make a meaningful con- The world is heading for 24 How we recreated a lost toward the advent of a Fourth Industrial Revolution, an era that builds and tribution to society. meltdown, as the latest extends the impact of digitization in innovative ways. A world involving Africa city with laser technology IPCC special report shows Using laser lights to see entirely new capabilities for people and machines; in which technology The future-proofed learner is one who is a problem solver, who is adaptive becomes embedded within societies and even our human bodies. and creative, and one who possesses great empathy for community. Our IPCC 1.5°C REPORT: the past. By Karim Sadr praxis is holistic – we see our students as individuals whom we engage 8 HERE’S WHAT THE 26 Senamile’s journey to CERN 10 There truly is no end to the extraordinary potential that technology holds with daily to ensure optimal performance and well-being; enriching their CLIMATE SCIENCE SAYS for our world. It keeps us connected, saves lives and moves us forward as Noni Sophe talks to the lives on a professional and personal level through support, counselling and It’s going to be tough, but we a species. In recent years, I have advocated the idea that if our world is first African woman to mentorship. to evolve, technology needs to go ‘glocal’ – integrating global and local can do it. By Keith Shine conduct an experiment at knowledge. This approach is built into our very ethos and educational the nuclear research facility Our Participatory Development Model WHAT SOUTHERN AFRICA approach at Belgium Campus, as we present global knowledge within a NEEDS TO DO TO MANAGE at the CERN laboratory local context that respects human rights. Our projects encapsulate the At Belgium Campus, we have created a ground-breaking, truly participa- 10 concept ‘think globally, act locally’ as our lecturers and students work tive education model, where the theoretical knowledge that our students RISING TEMPERATURES 33 Who gets the revolving chair? together with international universities, taking a global issue and making it gain is grounded and rooted in real-world experience. By partnering with The climate situation in By Tsepo Majake meaningful to society at the local level. international universities and local and global businesses, our aim is to southern Africa is already worse transform that knowledge base into practical skills and know-how, so that than in most other regions, 38 How African researchers The every-growing and evolving world of technology breaks through all our students walk straight from the grounds of our campus into the doors reports Robert Scholes are adding to deeper barriers of industry. Global research and data have shown that Informa- of the working world. knowledge about neutrons. tion and Communications Technology (ICT) has become a key enabler By Ntombizikhona of economic growth, by way of improving and instilling new business Through collaborative projects with students from international universities, FEATURES Beaulah Ndlovu agility and reaching new channels. And, if there’s one thing that South Af- through engagement and internships with industry to understand and rican businesses have become acutely aware of in recent years, it is the meet their needs, and by driving innovation to uplift and empower con- importance of ICT in growing their revenues. Now more than ever, with sumers and their communities; through technology we offer the skill set to 12 What the latest assessment NEWS global giants like China and Japan leading the technology innovation take students places. on global warming means front, it is imperative South African companies are active on many fronts for southern Africa of emerging and disruptive technologies and are supplying the market At Belgium Campus, we take a visionary and uncompromising approach For climate change ‘hotspots’ 17 How to grow a dinosaur ear with relevant products and services. to the quality of education we offer our students.