Minister Blade Nzimande delivers keynote address at DSTI-NRF-SAEON workshop in Mbombela, 26 May

The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Blade Nzimande will deliver the keynote address at the DSTI-NRF-SAEON workshop in Mbombela, Mpumalanga, for inland communities to engage with ocean resources

The Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, in partnership with the South African Environmental Observation Network (NRF-SAEON), a business unit of the National Research Foundation, invites the media to a two-day community engagement workshop for farmers, youth and the public in Mbombela.

Titled "Connecting inland communities to the ocean", this workshop forms part of the Ocean20 South Africa inception meeting outreach event.

It is aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation among inland communities to explore the vital connections between inland communities, the ocean, and the economic prospects of the Blue Economy.

The worshop will highlight the influence of inland communities on the health of the ocean, through connections such as rivers that flow towards the ocean, and food security linked to freshwater resources such as fishing and aquaculture.

At the workshop, community members and leaders, researchers and stakeholders will gather to share insights, foster discussions, and develop actionable strategies to benefit inland communities in the context of the ocean and its resources.  

Stakeholders include the University of Cape Town, the South African Weather Service, the South African National Biodiversity Institute, the Transport Education Training Authority, and OceanHub Africa.

The media are invited to attend as follows:

Date: 26 to 27 May 2025
Venue:     Lowveld Botanical Gardens, Biodiversity Education and Empowerment Centre, Mbombela
Time: 09:00 to 16:00

Enquries: 

Veli Mbele
Cell: 064 615 0644 
E-mail: Veli.Mbele@dsti.gov.za

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