The University of Venda esteemed Alumni, Professor Sylvester Mpandeli has been appointed to serve as a member of the South African Weather Services Board. The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms Barbara Creecy made the appointment with the support of Cabinet and is effective from 01 January 2022 until 31 December 2024.
“ I am delighted about my appointment to serve on the South African Weather Services Board during this time when climate change is creating havoc in various climate sensitive sectors such as water, agriculture, energy and so on. I look forward to share my experience, expertise as a board member for the next three years,” said Prof. Mpandeli
Prof. Mpandeli brings into the board his research expertise on climate change adaptation, agricultural water management, food security and water-energy-food nexus which will be enlightening to the board. In 2006, Prof. Mpandeli completed a PhD degree at the University of Witwatersrand specialising in climate change adaptation issues.
He is currently a Chairperson of the Water JPI Advisory Board of the European Commission, Co-chair of the National Research Foundation- National Research Council, the Netherlands Advisory Committee addressing on Water – Energy – Food Nexus. Prof. Mpandeli is a former Chairperson of the African Regional Working Group (AFRWG) of the International Commission of Irrigation and Drainage (ICID). During the 23rd International Commission meeting of ICID in Mexico, Prof. Mpandeli was honoured as the first black South African and was awarded a citation plaque since South Africa joined the ICID in 1993.
Prof. Mpandeli graduated in 1997 at UNIVEN with a Bachelor of Agriculture (specialising in Agronomy). He later served in the UNIVEN Agric Alumni Association (UAAA) as its General Secretary for two terms during the 2009-2015 period.
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding and Communication
University of Venda
Tel: 015 962 8338
Date: 09 December 2021
