The Save Soil Movement was successfully launched at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) via Microsoft Teams on Friday, 22 April 2022.
Facilitating the webinar was Ivan Niranjan from the Department of Community Health Studies at DUT. He introduced the guest speaker, Seowa Given Maleka, a Chemical Engineering Master’s student from the Vaal University of Technology. Niranjan described Maleka as someone who is very passionate about nature, sustainable living and holistic approaches to life and well-being.
“Our guest speaker, holds a BTech Degree in Chemical Engineering with ten years work experience in the processing, manufacturing and design industries. Some of his undergraduate research work, included the production of biogas from waste food in an anaerobic environment. Seowa was born and bred in the urban township of Pretoria called Atteridgeville. His parents, being people who grew up in the rural settings of Limpopo, ensured that throughout his young life he was exposed to the urban and rural lifestyle, where he got initiated into many traditional ways of rural Limpopo that required one to be constantly involved, alert, proactive and self-sufficient,” said Niranjan.
Maleka began his address with a poetical piece he wrote about the Save Soil Movement then played a video that gave a brief background on what the soil is all about. He then played another video that showed that the human race is under threat with respect to the condition of the soil.
“If we don’t do something now. I don’t see how we might be able to come back in terms of trying to solve the situation in the near future. I’m pleading with everyone to join me. So that together we can respond to this call for the restoration and revitalisation of our soil. We first need to understand that the soil is a living organism. It is the basis of life on this planet. Soil is not just a resource but is the source,” said Maleka.
Defining the soil, Maleka said it is actually sand with organic matter. He added that for people to grow, they need the organic material from the soil.
“The soil is a living organism that requires organic material to actually keep it going. Just like you, you require the food to keep yourself going. So what are those organic contents that are needed for the soil to actually continue being a living organism? It’s basically the organic waste that is coming from the trees. Your leaves when they fall down onto the ground, they are basically going back to the soil,” explained Maleka.
His presentation was followed by a robust discussion between the guests and Maleka on ways save the soil.
On behalf of DUT, Niranjan thanked Maleka for an outstanding presentation and for making the launch a huge success. He noted that in the future, DUT will definitely invite Maleka when hosting similar sessions.
The Save Soil Group of DUT intends to continue raising awareness on the international movement, as the future of humanity and all life is at stake.
Therefore, a call is being made to the DUT Community to join the Save Soil Movement to assist in keeping the magic of the soil alive. Those interested in joining can liaise with Nirupa Kemraj via email on: khemrajn@dut.ac.za
Pictured: Guest speaker, Seowa Given Maleka
Simangele Zuma
