UP initiative helps create food security for vulnerable communities

Posted on September 23, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has left many without a source of income. This has had devastating effects on household food security, a disastrous reality which prompted the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Community Oriented Primary Care Research Unit (COPC), to start an initiative.

UP Zoology prof part of study that finds hummingbirds drop body temperature to near freezing point to survive cold nights

Posted on September 22, 2020

A University of Pretoria professor of zoology was part of a team that recently published a study that reveals that tiny hummingbirds living in the Andes Mountains in Peru drop their body temperature from 40°C to 3.3°C, near freezing point, to survive bitterly cold nights. “It is the...

Professor Lindiwe Majele Sibanda appointed as new director of UP’s ARUA Centre of Excellence in Food Security

Posted on September 16, 2020

The University of Pretoria (UP) is proud to announce the appointment of Professor Lindiwe Majele Sibanda as Director of the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) Centre of Excellence in Food Security, hosted at UP in collaboration with the University of Nairobi, Kenya, and the University...

Returning to the office after months away? UP scientists discuss the fungi you might find

Posted on September 11, 2020

With South Africa’s move to level two lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and many returning to the office after months away, University of Pretoria (UP) scientists have been considering the fungi that people might encounter in the most unexpected places.

UP Whale Unit researcher coordinates open statement for urgent global action to protect marine life from extinction

Posted on September 09, 2020

More than 250 cetacean experts from around the world have signed an open statement to global leaders calling for action to urgently address the precarious situation of many populations of whales, dolphins and porpoises (collectively known as ‘cetaceans’).

Foreign agriculture investments don’t always threaten food security: the case of Madagascar

Posted on September 02, 2020

Large-scale land acquisitions have been increasing in developing countries following the 2007/8 high food price crisis. Countries with limited agricultural potential, like Gulf states, have been driving foreign acquisitions in developing countries. Many developing country governments see these...

Dr Tsakani Ngomane appointed to lead agricultural extension in the Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development

Posted on September 01, 2020

The Department of Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development are delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Tsakani Ngomane as Director of the Department’s Extension Programme from 1 September2020. Dr Ngomane’s appointment is a strategic step for the Department and the...

UP claims first prize in the South African Tertiary Mathematics Olympiad

Posted on August 28, 2020

On Saturday, 22 August 205 tertiary students from eight Universities participated in the annual South African Tertiary Mathematics Olympiad (SATMO) that is sponsored by the Actuarial Society of South Africa (ASSA). This year UP came out on top!