Strengthening Strategic Partnerships: CCARDESA Delegation Visits Stellenbosch University
From 26 to 28 August 2024, the Faculty of AgriSciences at Stellenbosch University (SU) hosted a delegation from the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), marking a significant milestone in their ongoing collaboration. The visit was a pivotal moment to review and expand upon the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between SU and CCARDESA in October 2021.
CCARDESA, the research and development arm of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), is a key strategic partner for the University. The MoU, established for an initial period of five years, aligns with SU’s position as the top-ranked AgriScience institution on the African continent. With the MoU at its halfway mark, this visit served two primary purposes: to review the activities and achievements thus far and to explore opportunities for expanding the scope of collaboration.
Given that CCARDESA has become a crucial conduit for donor funds into the region, the visit also provided an opportunity to discuss how Stellenbosch University could position itself as a technical partner to access these funds, thereby enhancing its impact on agricultural research and development in Southern Africa.
The visiting delegation was led by Prof Cliff Sibusiso Dlamini, the Executive Director and Head of Mission at CCARDESA, accompanied by Mirjam Taapopi, the Environmental & Social Safeguards Officer. Their roles are instrumental in driving the strategic initiatives of CCARDESA across the SADC region. Prof Kennedy Dzama, Vice Dean of Research, Postgraduate Studies, and Innovation at the Faculty of AgriSciences, played a central role in the discussions and emphasised the importance of this partnership for SU.
Prof Dzama highlighted the mutual benefits of the collaboration, stating, “Through this partnership, SU is able to benefit from CCARDESA’s vast network in Southern Africa, and in so doing contribute to efforts to improve the agricultural sector in Africa, and to work towards ensuring food security and fighting poverty among the people of our continent. We will be striving to exchange scientific information, knowledge, innovation, and technologies that are ready to take to scale, and learn from each other in terms of development processes and lessons learned.”
The visit involved the entire Faculty of AgriSciences, underscoring the significance of CCARDESA as a strategic partner. The collaboration between SU and CCARDESA is expected to yield long-term benefits, including enhanced research collaboration, postgraduate training opportunities, and the development of large-scale grant initiatives.
This partnership aligns with Stellenbosch University’s broader mission and strategic plan, particularly its Africa initiative, which focuses on addressing African challenges through purposeful networks and relevant partnerships. The collaboration is expected to facilitate the transfer of research into policy and practice, contributing to sustainable agricultural development in the region.
As the relationship between SU and CCARDESA continues to strengthen, the focus will be on expanding the activities under the MoU. Key areas of collaboration include joint research and publications, exchange of scientific information, and capacity development through training and coaching. The visit set the stage for future projects that will leverage CCARDESA’s vast network in Southern Africa and enhance SU’s role in improving agricultural practices, ensuring food security, and combating poverty across the continent.
With the groundwork laid during the visit, both institutions are positioned to capitalise on upcoming opportunities, particularly in securing large pan-African grants that require robust partnerships. The ongoing collaboration promises to yield significant contributions to the agricultural sector in Southern Africa, aligning with the shared vision of fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development.
Article compiled by Precious Canham
