Newsletter June 2013 - Dec 2013

7/27/2019 Newsletter June 2013 - Dec 2013

1/12

DiMTEC went airborne

DiMTEC Newsletter

J U N E 2 0 1 3 - D E C 2 0 1 3

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :

Welcoming;Helicopter Flight (pg. 1)Alumni DiMTEC Student

(pg. 2)DiMTECs Travelling:Belle in Sweden en

Ekurhuleni;

Andries in Ghana and

Germany (pg. 26)DMISA 2014 (pg. 7)Alice in Namibia (pg. 8)Visitor from the Nether-

lands (pg. 9)Olivia in Canada (pg. 9)Graduation (pg. 10,11)Results (pg. 10)Feedback from students

(pg. 12)Love and Lost (pg. 12)

Welcome Class of 2014!

The University of the Free State and more particularly the DiMTEC team wouldlike to welcome you and to congratulate you on your decision to enroll for a PostGraduate Qualification in Disaster Management. Those of you who completedyou Higher University Diploma and qualified to continue with the Masters

Congratulations and welcome back!

We cannot continue with the new year without some reflection on the past andin in this context we need to reflect on the recent passing of the greatest leaderof the past century and the Father of our Nation, Tata Madiba Nelson Man-dela. He taught all of us so much through the example of his life. The best wayto honor him is to live according to the example he set for us. Characteristicssuch as perseverance, leadership, humbleness, forgiveness, compassion, hon-esty, and others should motivate us to make the world a better place.

Disaster management is all about risk reduction and support to fellow humanbeings. You will need something of a Nelson Mandela to become a good disas-ter manager. You will need perseverance to complete your studies. You willneed other characteristics to make a positive difference in the life of peoplearound you. That should be your motivation to study NOT to have anothercertificate.

Post-graduate study is part of a journey to your future and the future of yourcountry and fellow-man. Very few have the opportunity to study at this level. Donot waste your opportunity. Work hard and you will succeed and above all, en-joy your studies; enjoy the privilege to be part of this.

Good luck for 2014 and may God bless you all.

DiMTEC enjoyed the privilege to be part of the yearly practical exercise of theSAMS air force pilots. Alice Ncube and Olive Kunguma joined the departurefrom Greys rugby fields, after which they were flown over the beautiful sur-roundings of Bloemfontein.
http://www.google.co.za/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=FnvQtCa3yL4pxM&tbnid=a7tDfZ0gFj6i2M:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthedailywayhome.com%2Fgoodbye-madiba-the-ordinary-man-who-achieved-extraordinary-things%2F&ei=DG2pUtLjBYmS


2/12

P A G E 2

Mr. Johanes Belle, a Junior Lecturer at UFS-DiMTEC attended the Swedish CivilContingencies Agency (MSB) Field Staff Induction Training in Sweden from the21 to the 26 February 2013. The course took place at the MSB headquarters inKarlstad, Sweden.

The Field Staff Induction Training Course equips participants on how to handledisaster response in the field as emergency relief workers. Participants at the2013 MSB Field Staff Induction Course were recruited from all over the world.More than 35 participants took part in the training and comprised professionalsfrom various disciplines involved in disaster relief and disaster risk reduction. ToMr. Belle, the course was an eye-opener to many disaster responseissues. The course gave me an opportunity to have a hands-on and awonderful international experience in humanitarian relief works takingplace in different parts of the world.

D I M T E C N E W S L E T T E R

Mr. JA Belle of UFS-DiMTEC receiving his course certificate from one of the course

instructor Ms Gunilla Lindstrm of MSB

UFS-DiMTEC STAFF ATTENDS THE MSB FIELD STAFF INDUCTION TRAINING COURSE IN

SWEDEN

Travelling of DiMTEC Personnel

Alumni DiMTEC student awarded for outstanding service

Mr Mkansi, one of DiMTECs 2012 grad-uates, is honoured with the Vice-Chancellors Distinguished Award forOutstanding Service beyond the NormalCall of Duty for his unfailing commitmentto full participation as the University ofJohannesburg representative on theteam that was tasked with the vital roleof securing the safety of PresidentBarack Obama during his visit to theSoweto Campus.


3/12

P A G E 3

DISASTER MANAGEMENT FIELD EXPERIENCE AND STUDENT SUPPORT TRIP TO EKURHULENI METROPOLITAN

MUNICIPALITY BY MR. JA BELLE (05/07/2013 to 12/07/2013)

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) was established on 1 January 2009 to replacethe Swedish Rescue Services Agency (SRSA), the Swedish Emergency Management Agency(SEMA) and the Swedish National Board of Psychological Defence. It operates via knowledge

-

building, support, education, training, regulation, supervision and works in close cooperation withmunicipalities, county councils, other authorities, the private sector, and organizations to achieveincreased safety and security at all levels of society-from the local to the global community.

The MSB works in partnership with major UN organs involved in disaster response and disaster

risk reduction (DRR). MSBs vision is A safer society in a changing world.

BACKGROUND OF MSB

Hosted by the Disaster Management Centre of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality (EMM),the field experience started with a response to two burnt sharks in the Alberton area. Togetherwith the Regional Disaster Management Centre located in Alberton (Mr. Francois Meyer), blanketsand food parcels were handed to the affected people. The next response was a site inspection fora proposed development to evaluate the likely risks of such a development on the local communi-ty.

Accompanied by a former DiMTEC student (Mr. Sikhakhane M), we visited an informal settlement

built on dolomite rock with the risk of sinkholes. This student , whom I supervised, carried out aMasters project on sinkholes risk awareness by the informal settlers.

Later in the week, I also participated in the vulnerability assessment of 11 identified informal set-tlements in the EMM. It should be noted that about 109 informal settlements exist in the EMMalone. This is a major challenge to the Metro.

Apart from a hand on experience on disaster management in the field, this visit also made merealize that what the students are taught in class is just a tip of the iceberg in regards to what theyactually experience in the field. Another major realization was the necessity for multi-task force indisaster management to emphasize the multi-sectorialand multi-disciplinary nature of disaster risk manage-

ment.

Above all, what thrilled me most was the realization ofthe number of top and middle management positionsthat are occupied by past and current students of UFS-DiMTEC. From the Chief Executive Officer of EMMDMC-Mr. Kesten Anthony to managers like Mr BafanaMazibuko, deputy managers like Shadi Tsebe and DaisyRaphela to name but a few.

Thank you all and keep up the good job as true

KOVSIES.

Mr. JA Belle


4/12

P A G E 4


UNOOSA invited DiMTECs Director, Dr. Jordaan as part of anUNSPIDER technical advisory mission (TAM) to advise the Gov-ernment of Ghana on the use of space based technology for disas-ter risk reduction. The rest of the TAM consisted of experts fromChina, UK, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Nigeria and Kenia. Theweeklong visit took place from 25 to 29 November 2013 duringwhich seventeen different departments and institutions were inter-viewed and consulted, mainly in the Capital of Ghana, Accra.

The National Disaster Management Organization of Ghana(NADMO) requested UNOOSA to advise the government of Gha-na on the use of space-based technologies, which includes remote

sensing, navigation and communication. Different departmentsand institutions were evaluated in terms of their access to spacebased systems and the capacity to utilize the technology. Dr. Jor-daan reported that the TAM also conducted a successful workshopwith all line departments and some Universities in Ghana. A reportwith recommendations is currently being finalized and will be sub-mitted to the Ghana government.

United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs invited Dr. Jordaan

as expert on technical advisory mission to Ghana.

About UNOOSA

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs was initially cre-ated as a small expert unit within the Secretariat to service the adhoc Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space established

by the General Assembly in itsresolution 1348 (XIII)

of 13 Decem-

ber 1958. It became a unit within the Department of Political andSecurity Council Affairs in 1962, when the permanentCommitteeon the Peaceful Uses of Outer Spacemet for the first time, andwas transformed into the Outer Space Affairs Division of that De-partment in 1968. In 1992, the Division was transformed into theOffice for Outer Space Affairs within the Department for PoliticalAffairs. In 1993, the Office was relocated to the United NationsOffice at Vienna. At that time, the Office also assumed responsibi-lity for substantive secretariat services to theLegal Subcommittee,which had previously been provided by the Office of Legal Affairsin New York. Questions relating to the militarization of outer spaceare dealt by the

Conference on Disarmament,based in Geneva.
http://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/en/COPUOS/copuos.htmlhttp://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/en/COPUOS/copuos.htmlhttp://www.unog.ch/80256EE600585943/(httpHomepages)/6A03113D1857348E80256F04006755F6?OpenDocumenthttp://www.unog.ch/80256EE600585943/(httpHomepages)/6A03113D1857348E80256F04006755F6?OpenDocumenthttp://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/en/COPUOS/copuos.html


5/12

P A G E 5

The worlds largest humanitarian network, The International Federation of Red Cross and RedCrescent Societies (IFRC) recently launched the World Disasters Report 2013. The report ex-amines the impact of technological innovations on humanitarian action.

Attending the event at the Vienna International Centre was Dr Andries Jordaan from the UFS, Di-rector of Disaster Management Training and Education Centre for Africa (DiMTEC). DiMTEC is atthe foreground of disaster management training in Africa. A memorandum of understanding with

the United Nations University for Environmental and Human Safety guarantees the exchange oflecturers between various NGOs and the UFS worldwide.

From the left are: Josephine Shields Recass (Project Manager, World Disasters Report 2013), Dr AndriesJordaan (Director: DiMTEC) and Andreas Papp (Programme Director, Medecins Sans Frontieres, Aus-tria).

DiMTECs director at launch of World Disasters Report 2013

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs implements the decisions of the General Assem-bly and of theCommittee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.The office has the dual objective ofsupporting the intergovernmental discussions in the Committee and its Scientific and TechnicalSubcommittee (S&T) and Legal Subcommittee, and of assisting developing countries in usingspace technology for development.

In addition, it follows legal, scientific and technical developments relating to space activities, tech-nology and applications in order to provide technical information and advice to Member States, in-ternational organizations and other United Nations offices.

UNOOSA is the current secretariat of theInternational Committee on Global Navigation SatelliteSystems(ICG). UNOOSA also prepares and distributes reports, studies and publications on vari-ous fields of space science and technology applications and international space law.Documentsand reportsare available in all official languages of the United Nations through this website.UNOOSA is located at the United Nations Office at Vienna, Austria with website http://www.oosa.unvienna.org/
http://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/en/COPUOS/copuos.htmlhttp://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/en/COPUOS/stsc/index.htmlhttp://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/en/COPUOS/stsc/index.htmlhttp://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/en/COPUOS/Legal/index.htmlhttp://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/en/SAP/gnss/icg.htmlhttp://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/en/SAP/gnss/icg.htmlhttp://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/en/SAP/gnss/icg.htmlhttp://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/docsidx.htmlhttp://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/docsidx.htmlhttp://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/docsidx.htmlhttp://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/en/SAP/gnss/icg.htmlhttp://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/en/SAP/gnss/icg.htmlhttp://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/en/COPUOS/Legal/index.htmlhttp://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/en/COPUOS/stsc/index.htmlhttp://www.oosa.unvienna.org/oosa/en/COPUOS/copuos.html


6/12

P A G E 6


DiMTEC part of newly established Institute for Integrated Management

of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNFLORES).

DiMTEC, through Dr Jordaan, played an active advisory role in the establish-ment of UNFLORES with Prof Reza Ardakanian as its first Director. Dr. Jor-daan was invited as an expert to both international scoping workshops, whichtook place in November 2010 in Dresden, Germany and in October 2011 in Ma-puto, Mozambique. He also participated in the regional workshop on the estab-lishment of the Twin Institute of UNFLORES at Eduardo Mondlane University inMaputo, Mozambique. During this workshop Dr Jordaan was appointed as theUNFLORES African focal point for drought and flood research in Africa.On invitation from UNFLORES Dr Jordaan also participated in the InternationalKickoff Workshop on Advancing a Nexus Approach to the Sustainable Manage-ment of Environmental Resources held in Dresden, Germany from 10 to 12 No-

vember 2013.

About UN-SPIDER

In itsresolution61/110 of 14 December 2006 the United Nations General As-sembly agreed to establish the "United Nations Platform forSpace-based In-formationforDisaster Management andEmergencyResponse-UN-SPIDER"as a new United Nations programme, with the following mission statement:"Ensure that all countries and international and regional organizations haveaccess to and develop the capacity to use all types of space-based infor-mation to support the fulldisaster management cycle". Whereas there havebeen a number of initiatives in recent years that have contributed to makingspace technologies available for humanitarian aidand emergency responseUN-SPIDER is the first to focus on the need to ensure access to and use ofsuch solutions during all phases of the disaster management cycle, including

the risk reduction phase which will significantly contribute to a reduction inloss of lives and property.

The UN-SPIDER programme is achieving this by focusing on being a gate-way to space information for disaster management support, by serving as abridge to connect the disaster management, risk management and spacecommunities and by being a facilitator of capacity-building and institutionalstrengthening, in particular for developing countries. UN-SPIDER is being im-plemented as an open network of providers of space-based solutions to sup-port disaster management activities. Besides Vienna (where UNOOSA is lo-cated), the programme also has an office in Bonn, Germany as well as an of-fice in Beijing, China. http://www.un-spider.org/
http://www.un-spider.org/glossary/term/6425http://www.un-spider.org/glossary/term/6425http://www.un-spider.org/glossary/term/6034http://www.un-spider.org/glossary/term/6034http://www.un-spider.org/glossary/term/6014http://www.un-spider.org/glossary/term/6016http://www.un-spider.org/http://www.un-spider.org/http://www.un-spider.org/http://www.un-spider.org/http://www.un-spider.org/http://www.un-spider.org/glossary/term/6016http://www.un-spider.org/glossary/term/6034http://www.un-spider.org/glossary/term/6014http://www.un-spider.org/glossary/term/6034http://www.un-spider.org/glossary/term/6425


7/12

P A G E 7

DMISA 2013

Through its intricate planning, organization and recruitment DiMTEC-UFS proudly played a majorrole in hosting this years DMISA, which was held at the President Hotel in Bloemfontein.DiMTEC would like to acknowledge and thank O. Kunguma who played a vital and successfulrole as the Master of Logistics. Highlights of the conference emerge with Mr. J.A. Belle who was

elected as chairman-further upholding DiMTEC chairmanship of the Free State Province. Addi-

tional highlights of DMISA include 3 papers presented in the following topics: Index Insurance asa Risk Transfer to for Disasters, presented by AJ Jordaan; Assessing the knowledge, attitudesand practices regarding cholera preparedness and prevention in Ga-Mampuru village, Limpopo,South Africa, presented by A. Ncube; Dolomite Sinkhole Risk Awareness: A study of ZonkizizweExtension Six Settlers in Kathlehong Area in Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, presented byJ.A Belle.

Dr. AJ Jordaan (director ofDiMTEC) presenting.

Exhibition stand of DiMTEC

About UNFLORES

The United Nations

University Institutefor Integrated Man-agement of MaterialFluxes and of Re-sources (UNU-FLORES) was es-

tablished in 2012 in Dresden, Germany. Important milestones during the establishment phasewere two International Scoping Workshops which took place in November 2010 in Dresden,Germany, and in October 2011 in Maputo, Mozambique. During these workshops the researchareas were worked out and entry points for joint study programs of UNU -FLORES and the Tech-nische Universitt Dresden (TUD) were identified. In addition, opportunities and challenges ofestablishing a network for partnership of UNU-FLORES based in Mozambique and its specific

topics in research and teaching were discussed.


8/12

P A G E 8


In May 2013 I had the opportunity to travel from Bloemfon-tein to Windhoek, Namibia. It was an enriching experienceto see the students within their workplaces. I had a pleas-ant encounter with Simon Ilonga, Ministry of Gender, whowas preparing totravel to Northern Namibia to conduct his questionnaires forDIM791.

I met with Anna Marie Niipare at Windhoeks Disaster Man-agement Centre. I also had the opportunity to visit the Uni-versity of Namibia. It was pleasant to hear from our AlumniMrs Anastasia Amunyela, who is working as part of the na-

tional disaster management team that Namibia is forging ahead with developing dis-aster management structures on all levels.

Alice Ncube visited DiMTECs students in Namibia

Anna Marie Niipare with Windhoeks Disaster Management Centre


9/12

P A G E 9

A visitor from the Netherlands

DiMTEC welcomes Akin Akiboye from Wageningen University ResearchCentre Netherlands, to its office. He will be working out of DiMTECs officefor a few months. He is currently working on his Ph.D. Academic ResearchThesis of which the topic is: Re-building of Rural Communities by InternallyDisplaced Persons (IDPs) as a result of force removal in a post-conflict.

A word from Akin Akibove:I am a Nigerian born British citizen. I had my education both in Nigerian andUK. I am a former UNDP National Disaster Co-ordinator and advisor to both

Namibian and Ugandan Governments. I was formerly an international civilservant and as well as national. I worked for the British government for manyyears at various capacities at the Home Office, from policy to refugee, infor-mation knowledge management, humanitarian, procurement and logistics,immigration and prison service.I served as the head of drugs at Her Majesty Prison Service (HMPS) in

Leeds, UK. After many years of active service in UK including voluntary services with various UK and in-

ternational organisations, I proceeded to Holland to pursue an academic career at Wageningen University

Research Centre at Ph.D. level.

A Glimpse inside DiMTEC Office

Olivia Kunguma in CanadaOlivia Kunguma (Junior Lecturer DiMTEC) was invited to present a paper at the World Confer-ence on Disaster Management (WCDM) held in Canada Toronto from 24 to 28 June 2013. Herpresentation,titled "Public awareness campaigns, a disaster risk reduction strategy for fire andflood hazards in the Western Cape Province, South Africa" was well attended as one of the sub -plenary sessions. She also had the opportunity and privilege to visit the Niagara Falls and expe-rienceone of the worldsmost magnificent wonders. This proved to be an enriching experiencefor O. Kunguma.

Olivia together with one of the exhibitors (above)and speakers (right)


10/12

P A G E 1 0


Graduation December 2013DiMTEC would also like to congratulate 2 of our students on their academicachievements. L Mahile and S.C. Iheadiri graduated in Disaster Manage-ment on 5th December 2013. Congratulations!!

Subject Pass Rate Subject Pass RateDIM 601 100% DIM 608 93%DIM 602 90% DIM 701 100%DIM 603 100% DIM 703 100%DIM 604 87% DIM 704 75%DIM 605 88% DIM 705 93%DIM 606 98% DIM 706 100%DIM 607 90% DIM 707 93%

DiMTEC Results 2013

It gives us great pleasure toannounce the outstanding

performances of our studentsof 2013. Congratulations toall the lecturers and studentsfor their hard work. The passrate for all the HUD modulesincreased significantly fromprevious years.

The results are shownin the table on the right.

Well done class of 2013 !!


11/12

P A G E 1 1

Graduation June 2013DiMTEC would like to congratulate the following students who graduated in June 2013: In no

specific order: B. Banda; M. Sekhesa; E. Mamadi; T. Ngando; B.M. Mabela (not in picture);L. Ringisai; L. Sikwentu; R. Seabo; B. Ngonyama; T. Mkansi; D. Mabunda; A. Niipare; B.M.Mapule; D.M. Mutele; and M. van der Nest.We are very proud of you!!


12/12

Love and Lost

DiMTEC is saddend to have lost one of our

prominent students, Refilwe Tlali due to a caraccident earlier this year. Our sincere condo-lences to her family and close friends.

Feedback from DiMTEC Students

Towards a point of perspectiveIt was a disastrousyear. But not in a

bad way. Neithereasy or necessarilytongue in thecheek. Oblivious ofwhat awaited, Ijoined the odd 70students on a crispJanuary morning in2013. The dayturned hot andheavy, and neverending exactly asthe year aheadwould do.

The reading material is more than any oneperson can ever bear. The assignments arepacked in like sardines and the content isway above anything most people would careto understand. Thank goodness for that For if was it any different, the total transfor-mation in my thinking and being may neverhave been awakened until the day I leave this

fascinating earth behind.

Besides for complicated models, weather pat-terns, statistical analysis, biological warfare,floods, fires, chemistry and disease (yup,all and more in one year) I learned howlittle I actually know. All of us. We dont knowenough. Caught up in the monotony of thedaily humdrum we sometimes convinceourselves that we have it all figured out. Notin the least. Not until you look up, lookaround, pay attention and understand how

significantly perfect our earth and its systemsfunction, can you ever even claim that you tryto make some sense. And once you start toknow, you need to act.

Ive also learned that you can carry on longafter you think you cant and that you haveto, in fact. Always.

Cheers to a great year. Cheers to all the won-

derful people involved.

Cind Greyling

My name Charles Mokete,

I was born in 1983 at Bot-shabelo. Im the first bornat home with family of five.My mother passed awaywhen I was doing Grade11 in 2002 and my fatherpassed away when I wasdoing my second year in2005 at Central Universityof Techno-logy, Free

State. Despite the pressure I got from taking careof my siblings I managed to finish my first Diploma(2007) in Public Management on recorded time

using NSFAS Loan. In 2008 to 2009 I did B.Tech:Project Management of which I also managed tofinish on time using a bursary from Department ofPublic Works and then in 2010 I did B.Tech PublicManagement paying for myself but couldnt do mysecond semester due to financial constraints but Imanaged to get an internship from Post Bank. Ithen went back to University the following year in2011 to complete my degree.Through all this years the only person who wasassisted me, was my Aunt Ntaoleng Slyvia Mo-shoeshoe who is unemployed. Currently I am aDiMTEC student doing my Masters Degree in Dis-

aster Management, funded by the NDMC(National Disaster Management Centre). Withinthe duty of taking care of my siblings, I want tothank DiMTEC staff for the moral support and mo-tivation that they have given me in 2013. Withtheir support I know I will make it on record time.

Charles Mokete

Bursary Student at DiMTEC