In a groundbreaking move, the University of Fort Hare has launched a new research hub in dairy science and technology at their Alice Campus with the help of an investment from AngloGold Ashanti. This initiative, the first of its kind in South Africa, is set to revolutionise the dairy industry in the Eastern Cape and beyond.
AngloGold Ashanti has contributed R12.5 million towards the establishment of the AngloGold Research Chair in Dairy Science and Technology. This investment marks a crucial step in creating a high-tech hub for research and training in dairy science.
Professor Sakhela Buhlungu, vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Fort Hare, expressed his excitement, saying, “It really feels like a dream come true and we thought it would take a long time for it to reach this point.
“We thought since we work in a partnership with Amadlelo Agri, most of our students do not have much interaction with the dairy farm. We needed to create an academic side that speaks to dairy farming,” he said.
Amadlelo Agri is a prominent local dairy farm that has been a leading producer for over a decade, with more than 400 cows.
“We are proud to be part of it and we produce some of the best milk in the country. We thought it would be beneficial because we exist and operate alongside a belt of dairy farms and the benefits will help this belt of dairy farmers,” he said.
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Addressing the veterinarian shortage
Meanwhile, Dr Nthabi Taole-Mjimba, deputy vice-chancellor for research, partnerships, and innovation at the university, emphasised the critical shortage of veterinarians, veterinary specialists, nurses, and technicians in South Africa, especially those tending to farm animals.
She pointed out that the Eastern Cape holds a significant portion of the country’s livestock, making this initiative vital for the region. She added that much-needed resources should be channelled in the province for this reason.
“The new faculty will address this gap by focusing on producing veterinarians who can support the development of the rural economy. The Eastern Cape has an enormous livestock population, and this faculty will cater to South Africa’s need for more veterinarians,” Taole-Mjimba said.
New degree in the pipeline
The University of Fort Hare plans to offer a bachelor’s degree in dairy sciences, pending approvals. This programme will emphasise food technology, covering production processes for cheese, yoghurt, and other dairy products. Additionally, the university’s research farm is being refurbished with an investment of R9.7 million to support this new initiative.
Taole-Mjimba mentioned that the purpose of the chair is to advance knowledge generation and human capital development in dairy science and food technology, not only in South Africa but across the continent. The chair will be led by a top scholar with a strong research and postgraduate supervision track record.
“The university’s next steps include appointing a chairperson, fundraising the remaining R10 million, developing research projects, and building human capacity for honours, masters, PhDs, and postdoctoral fellows,” she said.
AngloGold Ashanti’s commitment
Ambassador Baso Sangqu, senior vice-president of group sustainability at AngloGold Ashanti, praised the university’s vision, saying he believes it is a step in the right direction for the dairy industry.
“We salute the university for their vision through the faculty of science and agriculture. It is important to empower local farming communities, many of whom have ties to the mining sector and are also small-scale farmers,” he said.
Sangqu expressed confidence that the R12.5 million investment will support small-scale farmers by providing access to advanced knowledge and vision. He emphasised the potential economic and health impacts on the local community, looking forward to the initiative bearing fruit.
Simpiwe Somdyala, chief executive officer of Amadlelo Agri, stressed the importance of research in making rural dairies competitive. He acknowledged the challenges of the dairy industry, pointing out that research on pasture technology, animal husbandry, and overall animal care is critical for farmers.
He said the partnership between the University of Fort Hare and Amadlelo Agri will help expand rural community areas and improve communal and household dairies.
“Through research, we can look at business models that support farmers and address the challenges they face and I think innovation is the engine of the programme, and being part of the chair will help us sow seeds of change,” Somdyala said.
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