A delegation of postgraduate students from the University of Venda, Biological Sciences Department in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture participated in the 48th Annual South African Association of Botanists (SAAB) conference hosted by the University of Limpopo. The conference was held at The Protea Hotel Ranch Resort from 17 to 20 January 2023.
Miss Takalani Matodzi (in the middle) receiving her Best Overall Honours Oral Presentation Award during SAAB 2023 Gala Dinner
The University of Venda delegation of honours, masters, and PhD students participated in posters and oral presentations under different themes. Miss Takalani Matodzi an Honours student in the Department, scooped the Best Overall Honours Oral Presentation award during the Gala Dinner event. Takalani’s topic was presented under an ethnobotany session with the title: ‘The quantitative survey of medicinal plants found in the home gardens of Vhavenda residing in Vuwani Area, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province, South Africa’.
Dr Khathutshelo Magwede chairing an ethnobotany session during SAAB 2023 conference
Her supervisor Dr Khathutshelo Magwede was also given the responsibility of chairing an ethnobotany session during the conference.
Prof Peter Tshisikhawe delivering a Plenary Talk during SAAB 2023 conference
Prof Peter Tshisikhawe (the Interim Head of the Department of Biological Sciences) presented an invited plenary talk titled: ‘Population ecology through a prism of sustainable practice: a case of Brackenridgea zanguebarica Oliv’. His talk was centred around meeting the conservation strategies embedded within the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) goals and goal 15 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
The SAAB conference is a national festival of plant science which is held at the beginning of each year. This year’s conference attracted more than 160 presentations. The University of Venda contributed three (3) posters and eight (8) oral presentations. The conference also gave the accompanying staff members an opportunity to network and understand the current trends of research within their different areas of expertise.
Takalani Matodzi (middle) poses for a photo with Prof Natasha Potgieter (left) and Dr Khathutshelo Magwede (right)
Takalani Matodzi (middle) poses for a photo with Prof Natasha Potgieter (left) and Dr Khathutshelo Magwede (right)
Issued by:
Department of Marketing, Branding & Communication
University of Venda
Tel: (015) 962 8525 /8710
Date: 26 January 2023
