In many human cultures, age is synonymous with wisdom – it is considered an asset rather than a liability.  Elders are respected for their experience and knowledge and often emerge as leaders when it comes to performing specialised tasks.  History presents many sages who bravely guide their people through perilous situations.  But what of the animal kingdom?  Do animals exhibit similar behaviour? 

Limited evidence exists as to the specific role that older leaders play in decision making in animal societies.  However, it has been suggested ‘that older leaders provide a vital source of ecological knowledge (e.g. about the location of scarce resources or migration routes), but direct tests of this in natural populations are lacking because of the difficulties in quantifying the relevant skills.’

One would not normally associate the smell of rotting flesh with one of the world’s most beautiful flowers, the orchid.  However, research which is “hot off the press”, led by UKZN botanist, Dr Timotheus van der Niet, reveals that a South African orchid mimics the stench of a decaying corpse to attract its key pollinator, the flesh fly.

‘We know it is common for orchids to deceive insects into pollinating them.  We also know that some plant species can mimic carrion to attract flies.  What we didn’t know was how successful this was,’ said van der Niet. 

The researchers, who included A-rated Scientist, Professor Steve Johnson, set out to study the orchid Satyrium pumilum to try and discover how it was attracting flies...

UKZN Grassland Scientist, Professor Kevin Kirkman and his postdoctorate student, Dr Nicole Hagena, are involved in a large global research co-operative aimed at providing new insights into significant unanswered ecological questions.   The Nutrient Network (NutNet) comprises ecological researchers located across the world in nine countries at 51 different sites.  Funded by the US National Science Foundation, it represents ‘the only collaboration of its kind where individual researchers have set up the same experiment at sites around the world.’

Ukulinga, the School of Agricultural Sciences and Agribusiness’ research farm, is one of the 51 sites that form part of the project.  Located on the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg, the farm is home to some of the oldest ecological experiments in the world and is, therefore, a valuable asset to the NutNet co-operative.

UKZN signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Oslo, Norway, to facilitate student exchanges at both the undergraduate and postgraduate level in the School of Religion and Theology on March 25.

UKZN has been in partnership with the University of Oslo since 1997, and a number of students and academics have participated in exchange programmes, research projects and other shared initiatives.

This signing of the MOU took place during the University of Oslo’s two-day visit to UKZN to discuss student exchange experiences and possibilities...

As part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between UKZN and the National University of Rwanda (NUR), a team led by the University Dean of Research, Professor Cheryl Potgieter, was invited to deliver a week-long series of training workshops on writing for publication and managing an academic career.

The workshop, targeted at emerging women scholars, mirrors the capacity development initiatives of the UKZN Women in Research Academy.

Potgieter said that MOU’s are dead documents that are given meaning by individuals who are committed to ‘giving life’ to them...

It was a proud day for the School of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Genetics at UKZN, when the Microbiology Students’ Society (MICROSOC) was launched on the Westville campus. 

MICROSOC was initiated by students who share a love of Microbiology, and are motivated to make knowledge useful for everyone who has interest in Microbiology.

The society was founded in September, 2010. The Steering Committee was chaired by the Head of Microbiology, Dr Ademola Olaniran, and included most of the current Executive Committee members. The team has received the full support of the Head of School, Professor Bala Pillay and Department staff, who pledged generously toward the start-up of the society.

Four engineers from UKZN’s School of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering participated in the second Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) international conference on Wireless Communication, Vehicular Technology, Information Theory and Aerospace and Electronic Systems Technology (VITAE) held in Chennai, India, from February 28 to March 3: Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor Fambirai Takawira, Head of School, Professor Stanley Mneney; Professor Thomas Afullo; and PhD student,  Mr Ilesanmi Oluwafemi.

Attended by over 200 delegates from 30 countries, Wireless VITAE ‘is the only international conference broadly addressing the wireless developments in the world by merging communities from four different IEEE societies.’...

Kulezi zingqungquthela ezizoqhubeka unyaka wonke kubuthelana ochwepheshe beNyuvezi kanye nabafundi asebeqhuba ezocwaningo ukuba babelane ngolwazi, babonisane ocwaningweni abalwenzayo, baphinde badingide ezepolitiki ngenqubo yeNyuvesi.

Ocwaningweni lakhe uGrest uveze ukuthi intsha yaseMozambique esengozini yokubhekana nobudlova ngenxa yezizathu eziningi okubalwa kuzo ukunganakwa uhulumeni.

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UKZN’s Centre for Critical Research on Race and Identity (ccrri) hosted a seminar by US academic Dr Eloise Linger on March 15 on the contrasts between the vivid recollections of women participants in the Cuban insurrection of the 1950s and the revolution of 1959, and the ways in which women were presented in the revolutionary print media in the years 1959-1963. Linger is an Associate Professor in the Department of Politics, Economics and Law at the State University of New York (SUNY).

While the male heroes of the Cuban Revolution, including key figures Fidel Castro and Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara are international household names, little is known about the women who were part of the same struggle.

For the third year in a row, UKZN’s Campbell Collections were on the itinerary of a group of students from the Furman University in the USA. The Collections also attracted the attention of a BBC4 film crew making a documentary titled, Lost Kingdoms of Africa.

The Campbell Collections comprise important sources relating to the social, political and economic history of the province of KwaZulu-Natal.  Killie and William Campbell established the Collections in their home, Muckleneuk, which was built by their father Sir Marshall Campbell.  The Collections were bequeathed to the then University of Natal in 1965 and comprise of Killie Campbell Africana Library; the William Campbell Furniture and Picture Collection; and the Mashu Museum of Ethnology.

Local and international students in UKZN’s Centre for Communication, Media and Society (CCMS) provided their insights on what Human Rights Day (March 21) means to them as the youth of today.

Honours student, Ms Dudu Zwane said that most South African learners are taught in school about how different national holidays came about ‘but as we get older we forget the history and significance of such days as Human Rights Day’. She feels that it is very important for the youth to learn about the historical events that shaped the South Africa we enjoy today.

Masters student, Ms Wandile Sibisi, reflected on the events that occurred in Sharpeville on March 21 1960. ‘Had those protesters not done what they did, I wouldn’t have graduated in this Institution, [or be able to] apply for any job I want and live wherever I want. We [the African youth] have endless opportunities because of them and we should honour those people, and reflect on what that day really means to us as individuals,’ she said.

The School of Music’s evening concerts for 2011 were launched with a remarkable performance by British concert pianist, Mr Antony Peebles.

Peebles has performed in 131 different countries and in the UK he has played as concerto soloist with a host of orchestras. He broadcasts on BBC Radio 3 and plays for music clubs around the country. ‘What a perfect start to our evening concerts,’ said Ms Fiona Tozer, the School’s Concert Organiser.