The REFFECT AFRICA project team comprising of officials from the Durban University of Technology (DUT) and the eThekwini Municipality successfully launched the Renewable Energies for Africa: Effective Valorisation of Agri-Food Wastes (REFFECT AFRICA) project at the Durban Botanic Gardens on Thursday, 24 March 2022.
Facilitating the hybrid launch held both physical and online was the REFFECT AFRICA eThekwini Project Manager, Ms Nevana Srikissoon who was supported by the DUT Project Manager, Dr Abosede Ijabadeniyi.
“The REFFECT AFRICA project seeks to explore the use of agri-food waste to generate electricity and positively contribute towards the supply of electricity to households. The project is replicated in three African locations: Clairwood Bulk Market in Durban South Africa, a school and clinic in Sawla-Tuna-Kalba Ghana and an olive oil mill in Dar Azzaytoune, Douar El Hachia, Morocco and is funded by a European Union grant,” unpacked Srikissoon.
A representative of the eThekwini Municipality Mayor’s Office, Councillor Nkosenhle Madlala said through this project eThekwini Municipality hopes it will make a contribution towards institutionalising and localising the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“We want to use such projects to strengthen our contribution to a better world. For the municipality, this project has direct and strategic impact in supporting waste reduction plans and waste beneficiation. It will also contribute towards job creation and establishing the green and circular economy jobs. We are also excited that such projects will support our climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. We know that this project will make an important contribution towards reduction of greenhouse gases, reduction of pollutants. We are looking forward to seeing how the REFFECT AFRICA will benefit the local communities and the business stakeholders,” said Madlala.
Giving messages of support from the eThekwini Municipality was the Head: Cleansing and Solid Waste Unit, Mr Raymond Rampersad and Mr Jason Moonsamy, Head: Business Support and Markets. Both vowed their support to this project and emphasised the importance of all stakeholders to work together in ensuring that the project is a success.
DUT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research, Innovation and Engagement, Professor Sibusiso Moyo began by acknowledging Councillor Madlala for always supporting DUT initiatives, the executives from the municipality. At DUT, Prof Moyo acknowledged the professors present consisting of Prof Faizal Bux, Director: Institute for Water and Wastewater Technology (IWWT), Prof Sudesh Rathilal, Acting Executive Dean: Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment, Prof Ian Lazarus, Manager: KZN Industrial Energy Efficient Training & Resource Centre and the rest of the DUT Team. She extended her gratitude to Dr Sandile Mbatha, from eThekwini, who has been instrumental in ensuring DUT plays a significant role.
She indicated the importance of the REFFECT project in terms of tackling the main challenges the KwaZulu-Natal region and Country faces that have a direct impact on the environment and waste minimisation within our economy.
Localising the sustainable development goals and understanding the impact on the environment and climate of human behaviour was important. For instance, the impact of waste on the environment and the fact that most households, communities, corporates, businesses, universities do not separate their waste has a negative impact on climate change and reduces opportunities for recycling and contributing to creating a circular economy.
Prof Moyo added that as a region and country, we should aim towards building a sustainable circular economy because its beneficial for everybody, in terms of reducing the negative impact on our climate and creating opportunities for job creation. Currently the youth unemployment rate nationally is close to 64%, and includes unemployed graduates, some with doctorates that cannot find jobs.
The REEFECT project with its focus on agri waste valorisation brings together a multi-country and inter-disciplinary team to ensure we find ways of reducing the carbon footprint and electrifying households from this source of waste.
The project has direct environmental and economic benefits. On the Environmental side – it has the potential to promote Green Energy sources and the ability to lower the cost of renewable energy sources if the solutions found can be optimised or scaled up. It addresses the SDGs 1, 3, 5 6, 7, 9, 13(Climate Action), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
Furthermore, Prof Moyo indicated that DUT is excited to be part of this project which is well aligned with ENVISION2030 and the DUT Research and Innovation Blueprint 2030.
Prof Lazarus and Prof Rathilal, who are both leading the key components and tasks of the projects explained in detail what each of their tasks involved both on the renewable energy side and the water research areas, respectively. Their research teams include, students, technicians, postdoctoral fellows and researchers. They liaise and collaborate with the international partners on their respective tasks. They indicated the socio-economic and environmental benefits of the project to the community and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The launch ended with a robust discussion between the guests and the speakers who showed a lot of enthusiasm on the project.
Pictured: Officials from DUT and eThekwini Municipality who are part of the REFFECT AFRICA project team.
Simangele Zuma
