It is with many best wishes that the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development says goodbye to Prof Sheryl Hendricks. She has taken up the role of Director of the Natural Resources Institute at the University of Greenwich in the United Kingdom.

Prof Hendriks, who has been the Head of the Department since 2015, has significantly contributed to capacity building for food security and nutrition in Africa, having trained, mentored, and supervised graduates and professionals from various African countries. She is very passionate about helping young researchers to follow her footprint. She established an extensive network for her graduates by creating different platforms to share experiences among themselves and other experts in the field. Many of her graduates occupy leading positions in international development agencies, continental bodies, national governments, and NGOs.

She was an inspiration to all students who passed through her classes. Her enthusiasm and expertise made classes exciting, and she encouraged every student to take up the challenge of food security and nutrition. Many students have expressed their gratitude for her guidance and mentorship over the years. Mwansa Mwansa, one of Prof Hendriks’ students says, “Professor Hendriks was passionate about producing well-equipped and highly knowledgeable students about food systems. She always spoke openly about how she wanted to empower us to become impactful food systems researchers on the African continent. This was demonstrated through her teaching and supervising style, where she created opportunities for us to network with industry experts and among ourselves. One thing I loved about her was how she connected all the students she supervised like a family. We all interacted on a WhatsApp group and met every Friday to discuss topical issues around global food systems and our research. One occasion that stood out for me was when she invited us to host a side event for the 2022 World Day Celebration hosted by the FAO Science and Innovation Forum. As a collective, we organised a virtual panel discussion where we invited experts leading UN SDG hubs at their various institutions and Maximo Terrero (chief economist at FAO) to contribute to the event. Overall, the opportunities she created for us to get involved in food systems served as a springboard for me to develop a strong passion for a career in this sector. We are eternally grateful for the doors Professor Hendriks opened for us and are hopeful that she will continue to impact African food systems through us.”

Prof Hendriks will be remembered for leading the department during the difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department wishes her all the best in her new role. “Go well, Sheryl”.